Maridaki Beach

About

A pebble beach where two gorges meet the sea, so the water stays cool all summer.

Maridaki sits where two streams from the Asterousia mountains reach the sea, which keeps the turquoise water refreshingly cool even in July. Fine pebbles, rugged cliffs, little caves and secluded coves make it very photogenic. There is one taverna nearby and a small settlement of summer houses.

There's a small taverna nearby, but otherwise it's wild and quiet. The drive here involves winding mountain roads, so take it slowly. It's a lovely place for a refreshing swim on a hot day.

Archanes-Asterousia stretches from the wine villages south of Heraklion, like Archanes and Peza, down to the wild Asterousia mountains and the Libyan Sea. Mount Giouchtas, which looks like the profile of Zeus, rises above Archanes, and the area is rich in Minoan sites. Further south, the Asterousia hide monasteries, gorges and remote beaches such as Treis Ekklisies and Tsoutsouros. The wineries of the Peza area are open for tastings.

Getting there

About 1 hour 30 minutes from Heraklion (72 km south).

On the map

34.97638, 25.27370 · See on map