Secluded coves

Paleokastro Beach

Malevizi, Heraklion · Free

Directions

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Organised

Not organised

Atmosphere

Secluded

Characteristics

Facilities

Taverna nearby

About

A sheltered beach below a Venetian castle, with clear water and rocks for snorkelling.

Paleokastro lies below the ruins of an old Venetian castle west of Heraklion. Part of the beach is sand, part pebbles, and the water is sheltered from the north wind and very clear. There is not much in the way of facilities, but a few tavernas are close by.

Paleokastro is a small beach about 10 km west of Heraklion, below a steep rock that was once crowned by a Venetian fortress. The fortress guarded the bay of Heraklion, and you can still see parts of its walls on the rocks above the beach.

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 13 km by road
Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 17 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