Beaches of Crete

Part Seven: Mirabello Bay

45. Dianiskari Beach

1 km east of Elounda, at the southwest corner of the Spinalonga Peninsula

A rocky beach after the floor mosaic of the Early Christian basilica of Olous (Poros) on the way to the more famous Kolokytha beach; almost no space where to put the blanket; gay men, some teenagers and tourist boats on the deep blue water

6/10

46. Havania Beach

4 km north of Agios Nikolaos

A peaceful beach north of the big resorts of Agios Nikolaos on the way to Elounda; a municipal beach with some regulars from the nearby villages, reigning over it like kings

6/10

47. Kitroplateia Beach

Agios Nikolaos

A busy town beach next to a road with traffic and tavernas, offering breathtaking views across the Mirabello Bay; not worse than the more famous beaches of Agios Nikolaos

7/10

48. Agios Panteleimonas Beach

Istro, 12 km south of Agios Nikolaos

A big sand-pebble beach with clear water; gets a fraction of visitors when compared to the adjacent Voulisma beach; the archaeological site of Priniatikos Pyrgos on a promontory to the west

9/10

49. Voulisma Beach & Istro Municipal Beach

Istro, 13 km south of Agios Nikolaos

A touristy, overcrowded part to the west and a non-organised part to the east; middle-aged tourists and families with children in the former, young European travellers and some locals in the latter; seclusion from traffic higher up; low crystal clear water, pebbles and sand; a mass of water like on a plate when seen from the promontory with wild vegetation to the east; one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete

10/10

50. Pacheia Ammos Beach

20 km southeast of Agios Nikolaos, on the road to Sitia and Ierapetra

A village that serves as a stopover on the way from Agios Nikolaos to Sitia or Ierapetra; a beach with pebbles and some sand in a dramatic setting; very scenic walks from the ruins of the Minoan town of Gournia; friendly people at the beachfront tavernas