The most beautiful natural sites to discover Crete

It owes its name to the color of the sand. Less crowded than the beach of Matala, this beach with cliffs is beautiful, especially at sunset. The view over the Bay of Matala and the beach of Kokkinos is superb when you reach the top of the hill which separates them. Possible possible. A French hippie stayed there several years, we still see his sculptures in the caves, in the form of octopus, sirène…

Visitors are not allowed to stay in the gorge at night. Keep the ticket for the exit.

It is the only freshwater lake in all Crete, in which there are an impressive number of eels and, apparently, turtles. It is also possible to bathe in this beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, as well as to rent pedal boats for pleasant walks on its waters.

Less long (7.5 km), less known and run than the Samaria Gorge, these gorges nevertheless have a definite charm with flourishing vegetation, especially in spring, amazing geological formations and deep caves that were used in history to hide women, children and rebels during the Ottoman occupation. In some shady corners grows the grass of the gods, the famous diktamon. The hike is easy, but once out of the gorge, there is still a 4 km walk on flat ground to Sougia and its beach (without shade).

A walk on the coast will take you to Kokkinos Pirgos beach, which you can also rally by bus or car, but we advise you, at least to go, the walk that will take you up to 1 hour 30.

The sandy beach of the city is very popular. Other beaches and coves, not sand but covered with a variety of rocky terraces, are located a few kilometres east to Agia Fotia.