Beaches and Islands

No matter where one may be staying in the Prefecture of Lassithi, one can in a very short while get to sublime beaches, some deserted and secluded for private and peaceful moments, others organised and humming with activity for those who love socialising and sea sports.

There are also many small isles surrounding the Lassithi Prefecture. Spinalonga, near Elounda, with its imposing fortress , its older and more recent buildings and its very interesting history; Agioi Pandes, across from Agios Nikolaos, with its proud wild goats; Psira, near Mochlos, with a Minoan port and maritime centre, but also with the richest and most untouched sea habitat in the Aegean and with a unique Minoan shipwreck; the isle of Agios Nikolaos, very close to Mochlos, with its Minoan “twin” port and its settlement; off the shore of Sitia, Dionyssades, the isles created by the Greek God Dionysus, with the largest colony of Eleonora’s falcon (falco eleonorae); then, there are Elassa and Grantes, two islets which are rocky yet easy to dock, near Palekastro; Koufonissi, in the Libyan Sea near Goudouras, with a roman theatre and sandy beaches; and finally Chryssi off the shore of Ierapetra, with its dunes, gorgeous beaches, cedar trees and millions of sea-shells.

These islands with their indented coastline, spotless sandy beaches, virgin nature and exotic colour are ideal for adventurous wanderings, swimming, fishing, recreation, relaxation, and insouciance…