Where is vai beach in crete

From Vai Beach, you can also take a 5-minute walk towards the south and reach the superb Psili Ammos Beach, while walking to the north, there are other more remote beaches along the coast. Just a short walk to the north of Vai Beach lies the beach of Itanos , with the ruins of the ancient town of Itanos located nearby. Itanos used to be one of the most developed and powerful cities of ancient Crete, having its own coin and dominating the eastern Crete region.

It was also a commercial crossroad, being famous for its Tyrian purple dye produced in Koufonisi Island. Today, you can still see some of its former glory in the number of ruins present everywhere in the area, including ancient temples and early Christian churches, among others. Itanos also features splendid beaches in three small bays next to the ruins and if you want a unique experience, some of the ruins continue underwater and can be admired by snorkeling.

One of the most important and impressive monasteries in Crete, it is located between Vai Beach and the town of Sitia , a few kilometers from each. The majestic monastery of Toplou or the Great Monastery as the locals know it owns much of the surrounding area, including the Palm Forest of Vai.

With its imposing stone structure that resembles a fortress, it features 10 meters strong walls and an inner fountain in case of sieges. You will be able to admire beautiful architecture and interesting works of art, including the inner basilica and old icons.

Apart from the interesting museum, you can also buy olive oil and wine produced by the monks of the monastery in the surrounding hills.

There is also a charming little gorge close to the monastery that is worth exploring. Located a few kilometers south of Vai Beach, close to the village of Palekastro and the beach of Chiona , the ancient town of Roussolakos flourished during the Minoan Age and you can still admire some of the old ruins, including the ruins of the famous temple of Diktaian Zeus and other interesting buildings.

Legends say that in these areas the Argonauts fought with Talos. Most of the artifacts found in this archaeological site can be admired inside the Museum of Sitia. Along the wild coast of this peninsula, you will be able to find many more beaches, although most of them pretty small and unorganized. Nevertheless, their dramatic beauty is unique and you might even find some remote coves without any other visitors.

Towards the north, there are three small beaches of Itanos , next to the ruins of the ancient town. Further along, there are many small beaches along the craggy peninsula leading into the Kyriamadi Natural Park , some of them with difficult access. South of Vai Palm Beach, you can walk to the Psili Ammos Beach , while further along, you can find the small beaches of Kedromouri and Maridati , leading up to a larger gulf with the long beaches of Kouremenos and Chiona.

The stunning Vai Beach is quite remote and far from any settlements, so you will have to book accommodation in one of the villages further to the south around Palekastro. There are plenty of villas, apartments and even hotels about km south of Vai Palm Beach , perfectly reachable in a few minutes with a car. This is one of the most beautiful and popular beaches in Crete and despite its remoteness, there are a great number of tourists arriving during the peak season, so a good idea would be to book well in advance and maybe choose a less crowded period.

Located just 6 km south of Vai Beach, this spectacular hotel is surrounded by olive groves and is close to the large Kouremenos Beach. It features splendid Cretan architecture and comfortable studios and apartments with panoramic views, a traditional restaurant and a pools bar.

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Camping One week? East Crete beaches Vai Lassithi. Vai palmgrove 1 2 3 4 5 votes. Psili Ammos beach. Voulismata beach. Church of Saint John at Vai. Ancient Itanos. Itanos beaches. Kedromouri beach. Mavros Kavos beach. Kokinos Kavos beach. Maridati beach. Gineka Spring. Tenda bays. Kouremenos beach. Toplou Monastery near Sitia. One gets to immerse in the tropical like magic that emanates during quiet time.

We visited once in winter, no-one at all was on the beach. We fell asleep beneath the palm trees, listening to the soft lull of the waves against the sand. We saw a little creature darting out of the forest on the road - we think it was a marten. We missed the last bus and hitched back to the next village. We wouldn't have missed it for the world! We are glad you have taken with you the essence that is Vai Beach Thank you Alejandro for your contribution to We Love Crete.

There is a smaller domestic airport in Sitia with code JSH, and you can fly here from Athens and some other islands in Greece. Be careful as there may not be buses on the weekends. To drive, take the same route Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos to Sitia to Vai Beach, which is a total of km and you should leave at least 3 if not 4 hours for driving, and this does not include stops and meals and exploring around.

As Vai Palm Forest and Beach is a protected area, there is minimal development in the immediate location. Stay away from the beach to preserve the environment and keep it natural. Stay in the nearby village of Palekastro which is only 9 km south, or in the town of Sitia which is 25 km west, we show some accommodation options below.

Chiona Cottage - this cottage is 1 minute walk to the beach as it is situated on the rocky point of Chiona Beach. This 3 bedroom house welcomes 5 guests. A great location just 7 km from Vai Beach. Grandes Apartments - choose a one bedroom apartment that welcomes 4 guests in this traditional guesthouse with its own taverna just a stone's throw from Kouremenos Beach.

Another tranquil location only 7 km from Vai Palm Forest and Beach. Jasmine House - this private home just on the outside of Sitia offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with space for 4 visitors.