Beaches in the Lassithi region

Lassithi is the easternmost region of Crete and a good choice if you are looking for a slightly quieter holiday with good beaches. It is less touristy than Crete’s other three regions, yet still offers holiday resorts with pleasant town beaches, family-friendly beaches and more remote natural beaches where you may be lucky to have the beach almost to yourself.

Most people associate Lassithi with Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and the well-known palm beach Vai, but the region also has several smaller holiday resorts and beaches on both the north and south coasts that are worth exploring.

Popular beaches in the Lassithi region

Lassithi is probably the least well-known region on Crete, but it still has a surprisingly good selection of beaches. Here are some of the best-known and most visited beaches in the Lassithi region:

• • Agios Nikolaos – town beaches close to restaurants and cafés in the region’s most popular holiday resort.
  • Almiros beach – a wide, family-friendly sandy beach south of Agios Nikolaos with shallow water and plenty of space.
  • Elounda beach – calm and family-friendly beaches in one of Crete’s most exclusive holiday areas.
  • Vai palm beach – Crete’s best-known palm beach, with a special atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.
  • Voulisma beach – a lovely beach near the charming town of Istro.
  • Makrigialos – a long, family-friendly sandy beach on the south-east coast with a peaceful atmosphere.

Beaches around Agios Nikolaos and Mirabello Bay

The area around Agios Nikolaos and Mirabello Bay is the best-known part of Lassithi for a beach holiday. Several of the region’s most visited holiday resorts are here, and many visitors choose to stay in this area because they can combine beach life with restaurants, town atmosphere and good excursion options.

In Agios Nikolaos, there are several good beaches, and our favourite is Kiroplatia close to the town’s famous lake. South of Agios Nikolaos lies Almiros, one of the best sandy beaches in the region. It is family-friendly, has shallow water and is an obvious choice for families. Further north is the holiday resort of Elounda, where the beaches are generally calmer and more sheltered. This area is especially popular with families and couples looking for a relaxed and slightly more exclusive seaside holiday.

Beaches on the east coast of Lassithi

The eastern part of Lassithi is quieter and less developed than the area around Agios Nikolaos. Here, the beaches are more spread out and nature generally plays a bigger role.

The best-known beach is Vai, which is famous for its palm forest and special atmosphere. Vai is one of the most unique beaches on Crete and stands out from many of the island’s other beaches. In this part of the region, you will also find smaller and quieter beaches, usually with plenty of space and a more relaxed feel.

Beaches on the south coast of Lassithi

On the south coast, the pace is slower and the beaches are often found near smaller holiday resorts or in open bays. There are generally fewer visitors here than on the north coast, and the area is a good match for those who prefer a more peaceful holiday.

Makrigialos is one of the best-known beaches on the south coast, with calm water and a family-friendly sandy beach. A little further west lies Koutsounari (Long Beach), which is a long and more open beach with plenty of space and a relaxed atmosphere. Overall, the south coast is a good choice if you are looking for beaches with more room and a more local feel.

Brief overview of Lassithi

The Lassithi region may not have as many famous beaches as the neighbouring Heraklion region, but you will still find a good selection here. From town beaches in Agios Nikolaos and quiet bays in Elounda to the distinctive beach at Vai and the more relaxed beaches along the south coast, the region is especially well suited to those who want to experience a slightly more authentic side of Crete.