Beaches
The ragged coastline of the Southeast offers a wide variety of characterful beaches. Makry Gialos or Makrigialos has many uniquely beautiful beaches with turquoise and crystal clear waters awarded with the Blue Flag, an eco-award for water quality and sustainable environmental management (more details can be found at http://www.blueflag.org/).
Some beaches are secluded, some are crowded and others combine tranquillity and scenic fish tavernas where you can taste fresh seafood with raki, ouzo, local wines or any other beverage of your choice, including Greek or Italian coffees by the sea.
As it’s impossible to include all of the beaches nearby, we’ve described some of the closest and the best.
The central beach of Makrigialos
This beach is a large sandy
beach that stretches for about 2
km along the village. The clear, shallow waters are
ideal for young and old, as they are easily accessible. There are outdoor
showers. Many tavernas, bars and cafes
along the beach offer free use of their sunbeds if you order something. Makrigialos Beach is perfect if you enjoy a
very social beach experience, as it caters for tourists, it often has many
people and it offers many food and drink options
Kalamokania beach
This sandy, quiet beach with deep waters is just the other side of the beach of Makrigialos to the west. There are a few tavernas also offering sunbeds. Easily accessible by car.
The two sandy beaches of Sunwing Hotel and Mikri Poli Hotel
This sandy, quiet beach with deep waters is just the other side of the beach of Makrigialos to the west. There are a few tavernas also offering sunbeds. Easily accessible by car.
Achlia beach
Organized, quiet, sandy beach with deep, clear waters and a taverna. Easy access by car. The sandy beach of Achlia is located 50 km southeast from Agios Nikolaos and 15 km east of Ierapetra, in front of the homonymous small settlement. On windy days the beach is well protected.
The beach of Agia Fotia Ierapetra
This organized beach, known for its clear waters and idyllic position, is also well protected from any winds blowing in the area.
The beaches of Koutsouras
Around the village of Koutsouras there are beaches with thick black sand or pebbles and calm waters. The main beach is in front of the old village, is well organized and is adjacent to the settlement. Along the beach there are many tamarisk trees where you can rest in the shade. If you want to visit an even more secluded beach nearby, a good solution is the small pebble beach next to the fishing boat port of the village (near the tiny forest of Apigania, about 1.5km to the west). Another beautiful beach is located 1km east of Koutsouras and is especially nice for children. The beach is called Koutsoureli after the nickname of a local that loved the area.
Diaskari
Diaskari Beach was the site of a late Minoan city upon which archaeologists believe once stood a palace.
Uniquely this beach is both sandy and covered by an array of multi-coloured stones. It has deep aquamarine waters. In the months of May-October sunbeds, with or without cabanas and hammocks, are available for daily rental, and the beach has an outdoor shower for rinsing off. A small number of renovated old stone houses congregate behind the serene, open air taverna located at the west end of the beach.
Alternatively, you can continue 1-2 kilometers on the dirt road behind Diaskari beach for Lagada Beach. Lagada beach is separated from Diaskari Beach by a small hill which is easily traversed. See below.
Lagada Beach
Large, secluded, sandy beach with clear, deep waters and few people. Lagada Beach welcomes nudists.
Ammoudi Beach
The color of the waters of this small beach is reminiscent of tropical islands. It has white sand and turquoise, crystal clear waters. The road does not reach Ammoudi. Anyone wanting to visit must walk about 10 minutes down the cliff. The walk is worth it. Once at the beach there is a healthful clay one can break off from the cliff, mix with water and apply to one’s skin to dry as a natural spa. This beach is known as Sofrass by the locals.
Staousa beach in Kalo Nero
Half of this small beach is covered by a cave. Among the rocks there is a fresh water spring. Very clear waters and astonishing seabed. Easily accessed by car with a staircase leading down to the beach.
Kalami of Goudouras Beach
Kalami is located 70km east of Agios Nikolaos and 34km east of Ierapetra, close to Goudouras. The area is filled with small quiet bays, far away from the major urban centers of Crete and in the middle of one of the driest parts of Lasithi. The beaches are easily accessible since the main road passes next to them.
The first beach you encounter is Kalami, a pebbly beach with no trees but with a large cave that provides shade all day. Access is more difficult than the others, because it is surrounded by high rocks and you need to climb down them carefully.
Next to Kalami there are several other bays. If you continue 500m towards Goudouras you will encounter, among other things, a lovely beach with sand and pebbles called Thodori's Limanaki, probably after the name of an old landlord of the region. The beach consists of two adjacent bays, one of which is ideal for nudism. This place is wonderful for a quiet time, but be aware that there is no infrastructure nor shade on or near the beach. The nearest place where you can eat is in Goudouras, 3km to the east. The beach is definitely worth a visit as you will be charmed by the green-pink color of the sea.
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