Achlia Beach
A small green cove with soft white sand east of Ierapetra.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Lasithi
Beaches, sights, villages and services in Lasithi.
Lasithi, the eastern end of Crete, is quieter and greener than you might expect. Agios Nikolaos wraps around a small lake and a lively harbour, with cafés on the water and beaches within walking distance. Just north, Elounda and Plaka look across to the fortress island of Spinalonga, one of the most moving places on the island.
Up in the mountains, the Lasithi plateau is a flat green bowl ringed by peaks, dotted with old windmills and orchards. Above the village of Psychro is the Dikteon cave, the birthplace of Zeus in myth. The villages of Kritsa and Mochlos, the Minoan town of Gournia and the gorge of Richtis are all easy day trips.
Further east, Sitia is a relaxed working town, and the palm beach of Vai, the monastery of Toplou and the bays around Kato Zakros feel far from the crowds. On the south coast, Ierapetra is often called the sunniest town in Europe, and the island of Chrissi offshore has cedar trees and white sand.
Good to know: the far east is about 2.5 hours from Heraklion, so stay a night or two to enjoy it without rushing.
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Candia Beach (Katsikia)
The last beach north of Agios Nikolaos on the road to Elounda, sandy and calm.
Sandy beaches · Agios Nikolaos
Hidden gem
Alatsolimni Beach
A wild beach near Xerokampos with a natural salt lake behind it.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Recommended
HappyHandyman
One certified tradesman for water, power, heating and cooling, and everything else around the house.
Handyman · Hersonissos
Lagoufa Beach
A long sandy beach near Makrigialos harbour, calm and family friendly.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Hidden gem
Richtis Beach
A pebble beach at the end of the Richtis gorge with its waterfall, west of Sitia.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Spilia Listi Beach
A sandy beach south of Agios Nikolaos named after a thief's cave.
Sandy beaches · Agios Nikolaos
Chrissi Island
Cedar forest and white sand off Ierapetra.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Lasithi Plateau
A green high plain ringed by mountains.
Plateaus, forests & parks · Lasithi Plateau
Agios Nikolaos
A lakeside harbour town.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos
Hidden gem
Tholos Beach
A big quiet bay of pebbles north of Kavousi.
Secluded coves · Ierapetra
Hidden gem
Argilos Beach
A natural clay spa near Xerokampos where people give themselves mud baths.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Hidden gem
Mazida Ammos Beach
The longest beach of Xerokampos, calm water and rocky mountains behind.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Milatos Beach
A small seaside settlement with pebble beaches near Milatos cave.
Pebble beaches · Agios Nikolaos
Diaskari Beach
A long, quieter beach 3 km east of Makrigialos.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Limanaki Beach
A calm sandy beach next to Makrigialos with shallow blue water.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Lake Voulismeni
The lake in the heart of Agios Nikolaos.
Lakes, rivers & waterfalls · Agios Nikolaos
Elounda
Luxury resort with boats to Spinalonga.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos
Panagia Kera (Kritsa)
Painted Byzantine church near Kritsa.
Churches & monasteries · Agios Nikolaos
Mavros Kolymbos Beach
A pebble beach with azure water and a rocky bottom for snorkelling, east of Ierapetra.
Pebble beaches · Ierapetra
Limani Beach (Sissi)
A small rocky beach in the natural harbour of Sissi, sheltered and clear.
Pebble beaches · Agios Nikolaos
Hidden gem
Tis Grias to Pidima Beach
The Old Woman's Jump, a hidden cove below high rocks near Achlia.
Secluded coves · Ierapetra
Mirabello Beach
Two organised beaches by a big hotel, 2 km from Agios Nikolaos.
Sandy beaches · Agios Nikolaos
Zakros Minoan Palace
The fourth Minoan palace, by the sea.
Archaeological sites · Sitia
Gorge of the Dead (Zakros)
A walk from Zakros to the Minoan palace.
Gorges & hikes · Sitia