Sandstrände

Mades Beach

Malevizi, Heraklion · Free

Route

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Organised

Gut organisiert

Characteristics

Facilities

About

A tiny palm fringed cove on Cape Trypitis, organised by the hotel above it.

Mades is a small hidden cove on Cape Trypitis between Lygaria and Agia Pelagia. It is only about 77 metres long, with coarse sand and pebbles, palm trees and flowers around it. The light blue water and rocky seabed are full of fish. Sunbeds come from the hotel above, and the beach is pet friendly.

The water is very clear and the rocks around the cove are great for snorkelling. Because it faces west, the sunsets are lovely. It can get full quickly, so arrive early.

Malevizi is the area west of Heraklion, with the resorts of Agia Pelagia and Lygaria on a coast of small, sheltered bays. Inland, the villages of Fodele, Tylissos and Kroussonas climb towards the slopes of Psiloritis, with orange groves, olive trees and vineyards. Fodele claims to be the birthplace of El Greco, and Tylissos has Minoan villas. The coast is great for snorkelling and diving, and the area is close to Heraklion yet feels calm.

Around Malevizi

North coast, on the Cretan Sea
Nearest town: Heraklion, about 16 km by road
Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 19 km by road

Heraklion is the heart of Minoan Crete and the island’s busiest region. Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum are the two places almost everyone visits, and they work well together on one day. In the south, the wide Messara plain holds the palace of Phaistos, the Roman ruins of Gortyna and the famous caves above the bay of Matala. More about Heraklion