Spinalonga Island
Venetian sea fortress that later became a leper colony until 1957.
Forts & castles · Agios Nikolaos
Islands & islets
Gavdos, Chrissi, Gramvousa, Spinalonga and more
The small islands around Crete feel like another world: cedar dunes on Chrissi, Europe’s most southern point on Gavdos, a pirate castle on Gramvousa and the story of Spinalonga. Most are reached by boat in summer only, so check the season and the last boat back.
Imeri Gramvousa Beach
The sandy cove on Gramvousa island, below a Venetian fortress and next to a shipwreck.
Sandy beaches · Kissamos
Chrissi Island
Cedar forest and white sand off Ierapetra.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Gramvousa Castle
A Venetian castle above Balos.
Forts & castles · Kissamos
Gavdos Island
Europe's southernmost island, wild and laid back.
Sandy beaches · Gavdos
Agios Ioannis Beach (Gavdos)
Golden sand and sea cedars on Gavdos.
Sandy beaches · Gavdos
Koufonisi Island
An uninhabited island with dunes and Minoan traces.
Sandy beaches · Sitia
Potamos Beach (Gavdos)
A hidden Gavdos cove with reddish sand and clay.
Sandy beaches · Gavdos
Hidden gem
Paximadia Islands
Two uninhabited islands off Agia Galini.
Sandy beaches · Agios Vasileios
Hidden gem
Dia Island
A nature reserve island off Heraklion.
Plateaus, forests & parks · Heraklion