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CHANIA - RETHYMNO - HERAKLIO - AGIOS-NIKOLAOS
CHANIA
 ELAFONISI The immense beach of shimmering white sand and blue waters creates a dreamy paradise. The main beach is flat and shadeless but you can rent umbrellas and beach chair.An ecven better option is to head north accross the sand. You will soon cross about 50m. of knee-deep water and come to the Elafonisi islet. the gently rolling dunes create a string of semi-secluded coves that often attract naturists. Waters are shallow along the Elafonisi beaches malking them great for young kids. Daily bus service from Chania.
 FALASSARNA This is an ancient coastal naval town, harbor of Polrinia. Falassarna was built during the historical period , but its name is pre hellenic and it took it from the nymph Falassarna. It was more important than Polirinia and it had its own currency coin which on the one side depicted the head of a woman with earings and the leatters FA between a trident still standing we can see supporting walls ,parts walls of an acropolis, many foundations of houses many graves as also a stone throne which probably was consecrated Poseidon,because Falassarna was a naval town it has been disco vered lately and its ancient harbor excavated. Most people haed to Falassarna for its superb breach which is long and sandy and interspersed with boulders and watch the sunset. Daily bus service from Chania.
 GRAMVOUSA is consisted of two islands, located oposite of the beach of Ballos. The calm and wild Gramvousa. The place is virgin and the beauty is fascinating. The way to Gramvousa after Chania - Kisamos, is inacessable. Passing through Kisamos you have to go up to the mountain Geroskinos and going down from the other side you can admire the view. The beach of Ballos is magnificent, and the way to the islands can be accomplished only by boat. In the calm Gramvousa, at about the year of 1600, the Enetians builted a castle, which during the ages passed through many conquerors.Daily ferrie from Kissamos.
FRANGOKASTELLO boasts the finest stretch of beach on the south coast as well mas a crumbling fort. a small town, an eventful history and even ghosts. The wide, white-sand beaches are nearly deserted and slope gradually into shallow warm water making them ideal for kids. Development has been kept to a minimum with most hotel set back from the shore to leave the natural beauty intact. The best beach is beneath the 14th century fortress built by the venetians to protect the coast from pirates and help the Venetians deal with chronicaly rebellious Hora Sfkion 14km to the west.Daily bus service from Chania.
 PALEOHORA has many curches and ruins of ancient cities from the Hellenic and Roman Period. There are beautiful beaches on both sides of the peninsula that, in combination with the mild climate, the su nny weather and high temperature are ideal even for winter swimming. The most beautiful beach is east and is 2 km in length, has fine sand, tufts of "almirikia" (small trees grown near beaches) and shadowy tress. The beach eastward the peninsula is anhydrous with pebbles and less crowded. A nudist center is here. A little farther to the east, there small bays with sand and pebbles.
 LOUTRO Small bay, with some rooms to rent and restaurants, an idyllic summer resort, one the most picturesque places in Crete. On foot, or by boat, or canoe, everyone should visit the beaches of Finix, Lycos and Marmara - at the end of Aradena gorge, at the west, or the surprising beach of Glyka Nera, at the east. Loutro is accessed only by sea, or on foot, by Hora Sfakion.
 GEORGIOUPOLIS is on the National Highway from Chania to Rethimnon: 39km from Chania, 20km from Rethimnon. It is a small town with hotels, restaurants and cafes, a sandy beach and a wildlife refuge. Georgioupolis is the beginning of a 10 kilometre stretch of beach that runs beside the highway from Chania to Rethimnon.The village houses a police station, municipality office doctor's office and a pharmacist. There are also banking services, TAXI station, hotels, restaurants and tavernas. Bus service from Chania every 30 minutes.
 AGIA-MARINA is 9 km away from Chania in the way to Castelli. It took its name from the church which is located on the small hill of the old village.The endless olive plantations, orangeries and all kindsof fruit-bearing trees with the limpid seashores make Agia Marina a modern touristic resort. There is a beautiful 2.5 kilometer beach with all the standard facilities.The thin golden pink sand of this beach and the trees along the seafront create an exotic setting.You can find water sports. Bus service from Chania every 15minutes.
 HORA SFAKION Continuing from Rodakino, to the west, the atmosphere keeps the same. Hora Sfakion is the port for boats (ANENDYK LINES) to Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Sougia, Paleohora and Gavdos island. 1 km west of Hora Sfakion, there is the astounding Ilingas beach and up on the mountains, the awesome villages of Anopolis and Ag. Ioannis. After Anopolis village, the view from the bridge over Aradena gorge is breathtaking.
 SOUGIA The little seaside village of Sougia is the site of ancient Syia, which was one of the harbours of Elyros.The little seaside village of Sougia is the site of ancient Syia, which was one of the harbours of Elyros.The city flourished chiefly in the Roman period. A considerable number of ruins have survived but there have been few excavations.
Sougia is famous for its 6th c. Early Byzantine basilica, excavated by A. Orlandos, after a dream seen by a woman from the nearby village of Livadas. The basilica has three aisles and annexes on the north. The floor was decorated with mosaics depicting geometric motifs and subjects from the natural world, like birds, fish, trees, etc .
As you can see the beaches are amazing on this island, perfect for holidays to Crete! Imagine yourself on one of these beaches relaxing in the sun on your holiday!
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RETHYMNO
 PREVELI Palm Beach (Preveli Paralia) is on the south coast of Crete near the Preveli Monastery.As you leave the monastery, you may park at the roadside near a trailer canteen and walk down to Preveli Beach.Palm Beach is a sandy cove at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The area resembles a tropical lagoon with its palms, oleanders, waterfalls and stream which flows into the sea. Daily bus service from Rethymno.
BALI In Turkish means a place of honey. In addition, indeed Bali had many beehives years ago. Nowadays, this beautiful fishing place may not produce honey anymore, but it has developed many tourist occupations. Around the settlement, you will find beautiful sandy beaches and small lee picturesque harbors. The main beach is also beautiful, organized with small pebbles. Bali is 31 km away from Rethymnon
 PLAKIAS The mild and dry climate makes Plakias ideal even for winter holidays. From Plakias the visitor has the opportunity to make short voyages by caiques to Fragokastelo, Preveli Monastery and Agia Galini. On the east side of Plakias there is the coastal settlements of Damnoni, in a picturesque bay with wonderful sandy beach of 600 m long with white and fine sand, and clean waters.
TRIOPETRA Very quiet and marvellous long beach, from Rethymno taking the road to Agia Gallini and turning to Akoumia. Another beach to the east, seperated by cliffs. Both beaches can be visited by car or motorbike.
RODAKINO Taking the road from Plakias to the west, through the villages of Selia, the south becomes proud, reclusive, solitary. Rodakino village, retired from tourist development, can offer wonderful quiet, hidden beaches and spectacular scenery. The other way to come to Rodakino from Rethymno, through Ag. Vasilios, Agios Ioannis villages and Kotsifou gorge presents one of the most lovely countrysides.
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HERAKLIO
 AGIA-GALINI In the close and leeward gulf of Messara in the Libyan Sea, there is the picturesque small harbor of Agia Galini.The attractive beach of 1 km in length to the east with big and small pebbles and the mild climate of the area have made Agia Galini a very popular resort. Along the west coasts steep caves are formed, passable only by boat where the sea penetrates, creating bright iridescent glittering. Narrow tiled streets go uphill towards the village. The traditional small houses climbed on a steep slope face panoramically the sea. The village is built on the west side of a small fertile valley of Amarianos River or Plati, which discharges itself into the east side. During the ancient years, on the site of the village, there was a coastal settlement called Soulia or Soulina, seaport of ancient Sivritos.
 MATALA When you see the eerie caves speckling the rock slab on the beach's edge you will know why 1960s hippies found so nice and they stayed there. 70km southwest from Heraklio. You can get there by bus or you car.(5 daily services from Heraklio City)
KALAMAKI The wide sandy beach streches for many km in either direction giving you a rare oppurtunity for a long walk along the beach. Tourism is in its embryonic stage in kalamaki after the recent opening of a paved road all the way to the beach. Its 7km north of Matala and there are 2 daily bus services from Heraklio.
GOUVES This is a small but quickly-developing resort, set along a coastline of sandy, rocky, bays. Although a peacful location, it does have a selectio of tavernas, bars and shops. The resort centre is scattered by quiet roads and fields. It is a good base for exploring other north coast resorts which are easily accesibly by bus or car. Transfer from Heraklio airport is approximately 40 mins.
MALIA Malia has plenty to do day and night. Take your pick from a lively assortment of tavernas, pubs and discos or lazing on a lovely strech of a beach. Transfer from Heraklio airport aproximately 1 hour and 30 mins.
HERSONISSOS Ideal for sea, sun and fun lovers. Small sand beaches lie along the edge of the resort offering plenty of watersports. There is a small port and a promenade and in the evenings, Hersonissos offers plenty of nightilife. Transfer from Heraklio approximately 1 hour.
STALIS Situated mid-way between Herssonisos and Malia on Crete's northern coast, Stalis is a smaller resort, with an excellent sandy beach and a good choice of watersports. Itnever gets too lively her, and Stalis enjoys an excelent selection of tavernas and restaurants, where fish is a particular speciality. A good base for exploring further afield, it's an easy bus ride to Malia, Hersonissos, and Heraklion. Transfers from Heraklio airport approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
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AGIOS NIKOLAOS
 IERAPETRA is build on the longest beach in Crete, offering an endless choise of golden beaches with deep crystal blue waters, far away from industrial areas and ships passing by! All major beaches of Ierapetra from Myrtos to Makris Ghialos, are awarded with the European Committee's BLUE FLAGS each single year!
KATO ZAKROS is an impressive small fishing village, hidden away in the south-east corner of Crete behind a beautiful tamarisk-fringed beach. There are several excellent fish tavernas on the beach, ideal for relaxing, long lunches or for romantic evening meals! Anyone staying in Kato Zakros will want to walk down the "Valley of the Dead", approximately a 2-hour walk, which leads down from Kato Zakros to the sea.30 kms East of Ierapetra. Known summer resort in the Libyan sea near to village Analipsi.
 MAKRI GIALOS was once a tiny fishing village, but has now become popular resort due to the friendly local hospitality. The village is still unspoilt compared with the larger resorts on the north coast and is an ideal spot for those searching for quiet holidays, with visitors returning year after year. The name Makri Gialos means "long beach", which indeed it is the long sandy beach with crystal clear, shallow waters, is perfect for children and non-swimmers, and further out for more experienced swimmers. The beach is lined with a good variety of tavernas to suit all tastes, the fishing port being the most picturesque part of the village. From the port, there is a boat which leaves each morning for the beautiful island of Koufonisi, returning late afternoon. Makri Gialos has a very good suply of shops, tavernas and watersport facilities and attracts visitors of all ages.
 VAI The palm grove of Vai, 20 km. east of Sitia is unique in Europe.There are several explanations on the origins of this unique forest. One being that Phoenician traders brought dates with them in their ships from the Near East. What is certain, however, is that the palm grove is very ancient, because it is clear from their art that this species of palm (phoenix Theophrasti Greuter) already grew in Crete at the time of the Minoans.The palm grove is a great attraction for
 visitors and is preserved as a place of special natural beauty.The sandy beach with the nearby islets set in clear turquoise water is one of the most attractive in Crete making it a very popular excursion destination particularly during summer months.
HRYSI ISLET Just a short jaunt over the sea from Ierapetra Hrysi islet offers good uncrowded sandy beaches on a desert island. When the sun gets too intense you can wander into the lovely cedar forest on the island.South of Ierapetra and you can get there by boat.Daily departures from Ierapetra.
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