Lasithi is the prefecture with most (total of 40) Blue Flag awarded beaches in Greece (second place in world!). Some of the criteria for a Blue Flag award is water quality, services & safety, environmental management and environmental education & information. In Lasithi, there are a lot of beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters. Some of them are organized, some not, some more crowded, others more isolated. Most of them can be found in the eastern and southern coast. By motorcycle or car, you will discover most of them easily given that the road will lead you straight to the beach. Since many of them are not organized, the sun is blazing and the temperature may reach up to 42ο C, it’s important to bring along water and find shade to stay under. Additionally, using sunscreen lotion, wearing a hat and using whatever else you can to protect yourselves from the sun, is absolutely necessary. Lasithi beaches are wonderful and you will enjoy swimming and sunbathing as long as you are well informed. Lasithi Travel shares with you the popular and the secret beaches in Lasithi, thanks to local experts.

Agios Nikolaos region

Elounda beachElounda. In Elounda you can find several beautiful beaches, well organized, with recliners and umbrellas, while you can receive services in cafeterias, taverns, restaurants and hotels. Lifeguards are also available. The main beach is next to the port of Elounda. There is a parking for cars there, too. At walking distance from the center is the eastern beaches as it is called, between Elounda and Kolokitha peninsula. It is a small but well organised beach… more about Elounda beaches

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Kitroplatea. In a hair’s breath distance from the center of the city, is the sandy beach of Kitroplatea. Another organized beach with very clear water. We recommend that after your swim, you sit down in one of the little taverns in the paved roads of Kitroplatea, located right next to the beach. Read more

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Ammos. South of the beach of Kitroplatea, 500 meters to the south of the center of the city, is the beach of Ammos. It’s a large sandy beach, organized, with shallow peaceful water. Water sports are available, while at the surrounding area, you can find a number of tourist shops. Read more

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Agios Nikolaos public beach. Further south from the beach of Ammos, is the Public Bleach. The beach is pebbled and is ideal to enjoy your swim and your sunbathing, quietly. There is also a golf course, a swimming pool for adults and children and a cafeteria-bar. The surrounding area is lined with lawn and lots of trees, making it excellent for a walk. Read more

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Almiros. Just 2.5 kilometer south of Agios Nikolaos, is located the best beach in the entire area:  Almiros. Breathtaking surroundings with a gorgeous view, fine sand and shallow, crystal clear water. Due to the morphology of the surrounding area, strong winds and gales are quite rare. Furthermore, there are no waves. All possible services and comforts are available… Read more

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Ammoudi. Inside Agios Nikolaos, 800 meters north of the center, lies the beach of Ammoudi. An organized beach (recliners, umbrellas etc) with a plethora of water sports available. A positive fact about the beach is that it’s not affected by the wind and waves, as it is located inside a large cove. The beach is sandy and the water clear and shallow. Read more

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Ammoudara.  4 kilometers south of the city, lies another amazing beach, Ammoudara. An organized sandy beach with crystal-clear water. Here, you can find great little taverns and rooms-to-rent. During the weekends, it’s filled with people, while it’s a lot quieter during the weekdays. Read more

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Istros (Voulisma). Approximately 12 kilometers outside of Agios Nikolaos, towards Sitia, lies Istros (or Boulisma as it is also called). A marvelous beach, worth a stop for a quick dive. White sand and clear-blue water, with green slopes, compose a background that will impress you. Istros is our suggestion for a bit of calm and relaxation. There are available recliners and umbrellas. Read more

Sitia region

Sitia beach. The beach of Sitia has been awarded the Blue Flag. It extends from the picturesque city port, to the area of Petras, a distance of two kilometers. The beach is sandy and the sea relatively deep but clear. The view from the beach is wonderful. To the left, you can see the amphitheatrical Sitia, with its castle, Kazarma… Read more

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Vai. A beautiful, organized beach with palm trees, located in Palecastro, 23 kilometers from Sitia. Vai is renowned for its palm grove, which is the largest one in Europe. The palm trees can be found all the way to the beach, merely 15 meters away from the sea, creating an exotic landscape. Fine sand and crystal-clear water, a cafeteria and a tavern inside the grove… Read more

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Erimoupoli. A short distance from Vai, towards the cavo Sidero, lies the beach of Erimoupoli; sandy and surrounded by mountains and cliffs. The sea is probably the clearest you have ever seen, with its rich – relatively deep – seabed. The beach is filled with people during the summer, despite the fact that it’s the farthest beach from the city of Sitia (25 minutes by car). Make sure to bring along water with you, since there are no cafeterias here, and of course, no recliners or umbrellas… Read more

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Tenta

Kouremenos. Kouremenos is one of Palecastro’s large beaches, on the eastern coast of Lasithi. Located between Palecastro and Vai, 2.5 kilometers after Palecastro. The bitch is sandy in some places and pebbled in others. The water is clear but relatively deep. In some spots, you can find temarices that provide shade. There are no recliners or umbrellas, however, you can find a number of nice and cheap… Read more

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Chiona. Located at a distance of 2 kilometers from Palecastro and just 500 meters from the large beach Kouremenos. In essence, Kouremenos and Chiona are separated by a peninsula. The beach is not organized, however, during the summer, the Palecastrians organize some great night-time beach parties here. The beach has thick sand and in some spots… Read more

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Maridati

Kato  Zakros. Kato Zakros is an area with particular touristic interest. There are 3 different reasons to visit Kato Zakros: The Canyon of the Dead, The archeological site of the Minoan Kato Zakros, as well as the outstanding beach with its beautiful taverns. It’s located 47 kilometers east of Sitia. The beach is lined up with small pebbles… Read more

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Hohlakies

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Xerokampos. Xerokampos is a small village with beautiful taverns, near the sea, known for its canyon and Alatsolimni. Alatsolimni is the Xerokampos’ largest beach, and is named after the fact that, whenever there are waves, the sea water reaches the shore and gets trapped in a lake, in which it dries up and salt deposits are created over time (alatsi means salt in the Cretan dialect)… Read more

Makris Gialos region

Makris Gialos beach. Makris Gialos is a touristic beautiful village in south-eastern Crete, surrounded by the Libyan Sea. Some of the best beaches in Crete can be found here. The beach located in front of the village is approximately 1 kilometer long, sandy, and has been awarded the Blue Flag.  Its unique characteristic is that it’s relatively shallow, a fact that makes it ideal for young children, as well as the fact that you’ll rarely get to see waves. Read more

Kalamokania

Diaskari. Two kilometers to the east of Makris Gialos, lies Diaskari. A large, sandy beach, without recliners. The sea is outstanding. You can find shade in a few spots. At the end of the beach, you can find a cave in the cliff, ideal for protection against the sun. Right next to the cave, there is a trail that climbs up the hill and leads to another beach, Lagada with its big tamarices… Read more

Lagoufa

Lagada

Goudouras. The beach of Goudouras is located in front of the homonymous settlement, at the southeastern edge of Crete. There are no recliners and umbrellas at the beach, however, bathers can visit the cafeterias and taverns, located right next to the shore. The village is tourist-friendly, attracting a large number of visitors, with a number of tourist-shops for your shopping needs. Read more

Ierapetra region

Ierapetra beach. Right in front of the center of the city, the east beach of Agios Andreas, the south beach of fort Kales and the west crowded beach are ideal for swimming, sunbathing, drinking coffee and relaxing. They’re organized beaches with fine sand and deep blue clear water. In some parts you might find rocks. The majority of water sports is available at the beach next to the fort. Read more

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Myrtos. The sandy beach of Myrtos is located in front of the homonymous village. Although it remains largely an agricultural village, there has been a surge of tourism-related development during the past few years, leading to the creation of satisfactory tourist infrastructures. Located in the south coast of Lasithi, near the borders with the prefecture of Heraklion, 25 kilometers west of Ierapetra. The sea is crystal-clear and relatively deep. A major advantage… Read more

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Koutsounari. A large, organized beach, east of Ierapetra, with reclines and umbrellas. It’s several kilometers in length. The negative aspect of the beach, is that it’s exposed to the wind, creating waves often. The shore is sandy (thick sand) and there is little shade. Even if it attracts a lot of people, there are no spacing issues, since it’s a really large beach. Read more

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Agia Fotia. Agia Fotia of Ierapetra is located 13 kilometers east of Ierapetra. The beach is sandy with  a few pebbles. There are umbrellas and recliners on the sand, while at the edge of the beach, you can find rooms-to-rent, a restaurant and a beach bar. Read more

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Ferma. Next to Koutsounari (to the east), you can find the area of Ferma with the homonymous beach. The beach in Ferma is perfectly organized. A positive aspect of the beach is that it’s not affected by wind or waves. Read more