Beaches in the Heraklion region

The Heraklion region is situated in the centre of Crete and boasts some of the most varied beaches on the island. Here you’ll find a north coast with popular beaches in the resort towns, and a quieter south coast with small coves, secluded natural beaches and scenic surroundings.

Most people choose to stay on the north coast, where the best beaches are close to hotels, restaurants and activities. At the same time, it’s easy to head to the south coast, where the pace is slower and the beaches often have a more relaxed, local atmosphere. It is precisely this contrast between north and south that makes the Heraklion region a great choice if you want to experience different types of beaches on your holiday.

Popular beaches in the Heraklion region

Several of the region’s beaches are close to lively holiday resorts, but it also has some very special beaches. These are the most popular beaches in the Heraklion region:

• • Hersonissos – lively beaches with plenty of facilities and easy access to restaurants and bars.
  • Stalis beach – a long, family-friendly sandy beach with shallow water and great conditions for a relaxing beach holiday.
  • Malia beach – a wide sandy beach in one of Crete’s best-known holiday resorts, popular with both young travellers and families.
  • Anissaras beach – a quieter area west of Hersonissos with plenty of space and a more relaxed atmosphere.
  • Matala beach – a famous beach on the south coast, known for its hippie caves.
  • Agiofarago – a remote natural beach that is perfect for a different kind of beach experience on the south coast.

Beaches on the north coast

The north coast of the Heraklion region is the most popular area for a beach holiday. Here, the holiday resorts lie close together along the coast, and the beaches are generally wide, easy to reach and well equipped with facilities such as sunbeds, beach bars and water sports.

Between Heraklion and Hersonissos are the two holiday resorts of Anissaras and Analipsi, both of which have good beaches and are well suited to families with children. If you are considering this area, you should take a look at the modern all-inclusive hotel Lyttos Beach. Very close to the capital Heraklion are the beaches of Karteros and Amnissos, with Karteros being especially popular with younger visitors.

The holiday resorts of Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia

Together, Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia form the second-largest holiday area on Crete, only surpassed by the Chania coast in the western part of the island. The three resorts lie side by side and all offer a wide choice of hotels, restaurants and beach bars. The area also has many activities, including go-karting and the Star Beach water park.

Hersonissos is known for its many smaller but lovely beaches, which are relatively well sheltered from the waves. Both Stalis and Malia have long sandy beaches in front of the resorts, while on the eastern edge of Malia you will find the family-friendly Potamos Beach, well protected in a small bay. All of the beaches have the facilities beachgoers look for, including a good range of water sports.

Beaches on the south coast of the Heraklion region

On the south coast, both the landscape and the atmosphere change. The pace is slower here, and the beaches are often set in open bays with mountains and nature as a backdrop. The area around the Messara Bay is especially popular.

The best-known holiday resort on the south coast is Matala. It is a colourful town where hippies moved into man-made caves in the cliffside in the 1960s. Matala also has a large and beautiful sandy beach, well sheltered inside a bay. North of Matala lie the towns of Kalamaki and Kokkinos Pirgos, both of which have long beaches and a calmer atmosphere with plenty of space.

Agiofarago stands out as a remote natural beach. It lies at the mouth of a gorge and can be reached on foot through a wonderful gorge or by boat. Here, you get a completely different and more peaceful beach experience than on the busy beaches of the north coast.

What defines the Heraklion region?

The Heraklion region offers some of the most varied beaches on Crete. The north coast has lively holiday resorts, long sandy beaches and good facilities, while the south coast is quieter, with smaller towns and scenic surroundings.

Whether you are looking for family-friendly sandy beaches, lively holiday areas or more remote beaches, the Heraklion region has plenty of options. The contrast between the north and south coasts makes it a versatile choice for a beach holiday on Crete.