Μάρτσαλος
A tiny, isolated pebble beach in a gorge, calm water and total silence.
Απόμερους κόλπους · Φαιστός
Short gorge walk ending at a pebble beach, a chapel and a natural rock arch.
Agiofarago, the "holy gorge", runs down to the Libyan Sea on the south coast of the Asterousia mountains. Its name comes from the hermits who lived in the caves here for centuries. The gorge walls are tall and pale, with climbers' routes on the rocks, and at the end you reach a small pebble beach with incredibly clear water and a famous rock arch.
The usual way in is from the Odigitria monastery. From there a dirt road leads to a parking area, and the walk through the gorge to the beach takes about 30 to 40 minutes. On the way you pass the tiny church of Agios Antonios built into the rock. In summer, small boats also come from Kali Limenes and Matala.
There is no shade on the beach apart from the rocks, and no facilities at all, so bring water, food and a hat. It is a magical place to spend a day, but the walk back in the afternoon heat can be tough. Start early and take it slowly.
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. Περισσότερα για Ηράκλειο
Drive to the parking area near the Odigitria monastery, then walk ~30–40 minutes. Boats sometimes run from Kaloi Limenes.
34.92550, 24.77840 · Στον χάρτη
A tiny, isolated pebble beach in a gorge, calm water and total silence.
Απόμερους κόλπους · Φαιστός
A short gorge with palms leading to a hidden beach.
Φαράγγια · Φαιστός
A pebble beach with a narrow channel between the shore and a huge rock, great for snorkelling.
Απόμερους κόλπους · Φαιστός
The beach of the Fair Havens, where tradition says Saint Paul's ship stopped on the way to Rome.
Αμμουδιές · Φαιστός
The long beach of Kali Limenes, lined with tamarisks and two big rocks out at sea.
Αμμουδιές · Φαιστός
A secluded beach at the end of a small canyon, big rocks make it look like a lagoon.
Απόμερους κόλπους · Φαιστός
Getting there & around