- Region
- Hersonissos, Heraklion
- Distance
- About 27 km east of Heraklion
- Beach
- Small sandy and rocky coves
- Facilities
- Umbrellas and canteens at some coves
The coves, west to east
At the tip of Cape Sarandaris a cement dock by the chapel of St George is used for diving and snorkelling. Below the limestone cliffs, Sarandaris cape beach is sandy and shallow, reached by steep stairs, with a small sea cave at its north end. A small naturist cove lies under the cliffs beyond it.
Sarandari beach, down a short cement stair from the road, has umbrellas and a canteen and suits children. Giofyri, under the road's retaining wall, has white coarse sand, deeper water and gets crowded. Smaller coves follow before the wide Creta Maris beach near the harbour, which is busier and windier.
Getting there
Walk west from Hersonissos harbour along the coast road, or park by the road above the coves. Anissaras beaches are about 1 km further west.
Nearby history
On Kastri hill an early Christian basilica still shows some floor mosaics, and near the port the church of Agia Paraskevi is partly built into the rock.
Questions before you go
Where are the Sarandaris coves?
Between Cape Sarandaris and Hersonissos harbour, walkable from Hersonissos town.
Are the Sarandaris coves calm?
Usually yes; Cape Sarandaris shelters them from north-west winds. The end near the harbour is more exposed.
Are there facilities?
Some coves have umbrellas and canteens; others are unorganised.
