Lasithi and all Crete, an excellent choice for relaxing holidays Share it on Facebook
The island of Crete is located in the center of the eastern Mediterranean at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe. It measures about 200 Km from east to west, and between 12-58 km from north to south the smallest and largest length, making it one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean sea.
Minoan settlements (developed between 3000 and 1100 BCE), tombs and cemeteries have been found all over Crete (See Minoan Crete archaelogical Map ) but the four principal palace sites (in order of size) were at Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Zakros. Religion played an important role in Minoan Crete and many activities, and artistic products revolved around religious cult. As evidence in the art of the period, the Minoans deified the natural world and found in it, a logical order that allowed man to live in harmony with the natural environment. Contributed to this, the rich ecosystem of Crete.
Besides today botanical studies reveal that the island has one of the richest and most interesting ecosystems in Europe (about 1,750 plant species and subspecies), with a large number of endemic plants, ie. Plants are native only Crete, like Malotyra (siderites syrioca, also known as Cretan mountain tea) and Diktamnus albus ( commonly called dittany, or "Erontas" in Cretan dialect ) are amongst the endemic flora of Crete known since ancient times for their beneficial properties.
Apart from the historical wealth that the traveler may be privy, there are numerous beaches that visitors can enjoy and relax. Particularly in lasithi the greenest prefecture of Crete, there are dozens clean natural beaches, the most of them awarded, and several beautiful canyons.
- Visiting Crete, you should definetely visit the following:
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Vai - The palm tree forest ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
The beach with palm located 20 km southeast of Sitia. The name comes from the local dialect, in which the palms are called Vagies or Vagia -> Vai. This particular palm is known from the Minoan era and called palm of Theophrastus (Phoenix theophrasti). The beach stretches for less than 1km, is organized with parking, cafeteria sunbeds, tavern, shower and fine sand. Often in the summer are organized concerts
Vai Crete
Palm of Theophrastus - Vai CreteVai Crete - Autumn View
The Long Beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
The beach located 5 kilometers east of Ierapetra, near the village of Koutsounari. It stretches for 3 kilometers, so called Long beach, and viewing the Libyan Sea. All along, the beach has small pebbles, thick sand, no rocks and deep waters. In some places the beach is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and seasports.
Long Beach, Spring ViewLong Beach Crete - Summer, Afternoon View 
Long Beach Crete
Almiros ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
The beach located east of the city of Saint Nicholas with an area of about 1 km. It is an organized beach with umbrellas, sunbeds, Watersports, canteen, showers, WC, changing rooms, with fine white sand and shallow waters low in salt. At one end of the beach flows the river "Almiros" (so called Almiros beach) and the waters as we approach the river become cooler
Agios Nikolaos Crete
Almiros - Agios Nikolaos CreteAlmiros - Summer View, Afternoon
Istron Kalo chorio - Voulisma beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Organized beach with water sports, umbrellas, sunbeds, canteen, shower. The beach streches for about 1 km.
Istron Kalo chorio - Voulisma beach
Istron Kalo chorio - Voulisma beachVoulisma Beach - Autumn View
Xerokambos - The physical Spa ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Sandy clay, ideal for natural skin care. Extends less than 1 km.
Xerokampos Crete
Xerokampos Crete
Xerokampos Crete
Tholos - Kavousi ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Located 25 km east of Saint Nicholas, one kilometers south of Kavousi where the ancient Minoan olive is located (The ancient olive Azorias). The beach stretches for 1 km. It has trees, the sea is shallow, without rocks, with a pebbled beach, and also has a good shower.
Tholos Kavousi CreteTholos Beach - Summer View 
Tholos Kavousi Crete-
Makrigialos ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
25 km east of Ierapetra, south of Sitia, located Makrigialos beach. The beach stretches for more than 1 km. The water is shallow without rocks and with sandy coast and viewing the Libyan Sea. The beach is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and shower. There are rooms for rent, taverns, cafes next to the sea.
Makrigialos Crete
Makrigialos Crete
Achlia ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
The Achlia beach is five kilometers from Makrigialos. It streches for less than 1km. It is a beautiful bay with turquoise clear water and viewing the Libyan Sea. The shore is sandy and windless, and the landscape green and idyllic. The Achlia beach is organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, shower and a tavern.
Achlia Crete
Achlia Crete
Achlia Crete
Tertsa ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
500 metres after Tertsa village there is a small beach which streches for 1km. It is a beautiful bay with clear water and viewing the Libyan Sea. The shore is sandy and windless. The beach is not organized.
Tertsa Crete
Tertsa Crete
Tertsa Crete
Milonas WaterFall ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
After Koutsounari a small wooden sign shows where to turn to a dirt road that leads to waterfall Milonas. It is a vertical waterfall about 40 metres height, active from December to September.
Milonas gorge and Waterfall Crete
Milonas gorge and Waterfall CreteMilonas - Spring View
The Isthmus of Crete ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
About 1 and a half kilometres after Prina village in Saint Nikolas there is a great view point where you can see both sides (South and North) of Crete, the Cretan Sea and the Libyan Sea.
Isthmus of Crete
Isthmus of CreteIsthmus of Crete - Spring View
Komos Beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
On the way to famous Matala you will find a right turn that leads to komos beach. It streches for 3.5 km. All along, the beach has small pebbles, thick sand and deep waters. There are some sand hills, and tamarisk trees. In some places the beach is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and showers.
Komos Beach
Komos BeachKomos Beach - Summer View
Diaskari Beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Less than 1Km East to Makrigialos you will find a sign for Diaskari beach. It streches for 1 km. All along, the beach has big pebbles, thin sand and deep waters. There are some tamarisk trees. In some places the beach is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and showers.
Diaskari Beach
Diaskari Beach, Summer View
Diaskari Beach, Summer View
Preveli Palm Beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
The famous Palm beach of Preveli after the Gorge of Kourtaliotis, about 34 kilometres south from Rethymno . It streches for 1Km. Except the beautiful Palm forest there are some tamarisk trees. The beach has shower.
Preveli Palm Beach
Preveli Palm BeachPreveli Palm Beach - Summer View
Plakias Beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Plakias located beach 35 km south from Rethymno.It streches for 3 km. All along, the beach has small pebbles, thin sand and deep waters. There are some tamarisk trees. The beach is organized with beach bar, sunbeds, umbrellas and showers.
Plakias Beach
Plakias Beach, Summer ViewPlakias Beach - Summer View
Ammoudaki Beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Some Km east from Plakias there is Ammoudaki beach. It streches for less than a 1Km. There are some tamarisk trees. The beach has shower and a well organized canteen.
Ammoudaki Beach
Ammoudaki BeachAmmoudaki Beach - Summer View
Richtis Gorge and Waterfall ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
About 1 Km after Exo Mouliana, on the north road to Sitia, you will find the Richtis Gorge. Its about 5Km long and leeds to a small beach. All a along there are beautifull trees, and a wonderfull waterfall.
Richtis Gorge, Crete
Richtis Gorge, CreteRichtis Waterfall - Autumn View
Potamos Beach ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
About 500m before Malia there is Potamos beach. It streches for less than a 1Km. There are some tamarisk trees. The beach is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and showers.
Potamos Beach
Potamos Beach
Potamos Beach
Tsoutsouros ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
On the main south road of crete, some Km after Viannos, on the way to Heraklion, you will see the road sign Tsoutsouros. The beach streches for 2Km. There are tamarisk trees all along the beach. At some spots it is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and showers.
Tsoutsouros Beach
Tsoutsouros Beach
Tsoutsouros Beach
Kato Zakros ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
On the south east part of crete, 7 Km after Zakros, near Palaikastro, you will find kato Zakros beach. The beach streches less than 2Km. There are tamarisk trees all along the beach. At some spots it is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas and showers.
Kato Zakros Beach
Kato Zakros Beach
Kato Zakros Beach
Triopetra ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
On the main south road of crete, after Tympaki, on the way to Rethymno, you will find road sign Triopetra. The beach streches more than 2Km. There are some tamarisk trees along the beach. The beach is wide and long, is sandy with deep waters and impressive view. At some spots it is organized with sunbeds, and umbrellas. There are taverns, rooms to let, cafe bar
Triopetra Beach
Triopetra Beach
Triopetra Beach
Sidonia - Psari Forada ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
On the main south road of crete, starting from Ierapetra on the way to Heraklion, after Mythoi, and Simi, you will find road sign Psari Forada - Sidonia. The beach streches about 2Km. There are some tamarisk trees along the beach. The beach is wide and long, is sandy with deep waters and nice view. At some spots it is organized with sunbeds, and umbrellas. There are taverns, rooms to let, cafe bar, mini market.
Psari Forada - Sidonia
Psari Forada - Sidonia
Psari Forada - Sidonia
Kroustas Forest ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
From Kritsa village, or from Prina village (more impressive route) you will find a road sign next to Kroustas school, for the Forest of Kroustas
Kroustas Forest Crete
Kroustas Forest Crete
Kroustas Forest Crete
Zaros Lake ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
On the main south road of Crete after Agioi Deka, you will find a road sign for Zaros Lake!
Zaros Lake Crete
Zaros Lake CreteZaros Lake - Summer View
