|
|
The naturist beach of Dermatos in the south of Crete
The beach of Dermatos is situated in the south of Crete along the route from Tsoutsouros to Keratokampos. The beach is a few hundred meters long, with pebbles and sand. At one side of the beach next to a hill there are beautiful rocks in the sea. While we were there in 2007 there was only one small house and we swum around without our bathing outfits - so at that moment it was our own nudist beach. It's pretty quiet, but sometimes people that see the beach from the road will come and take a look. There is a small path that leads down from the road to the beach. It is a bit difficult to get into the sea because of the pebbles at the beginning of the water.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Episkopi naturist beach in Crete.
Directly down the the valley where Episkopi is situated, on 2 kilometers distance from the village, is the start of Episkopi Beach, which stretches all the way to Georgioupolis. It is a sandy and wide beach that is 10 kilometers long. At the beginnig of the beach on the east side there is an opportunity for naturism, and then a few 100 meters further down the beach there is the first taverna with sunbeds and umbrellas. There is also a small supermarket. On the quiet part of Episkopi Beach you can sometimes see a special kind of bird that is looking for food.
There can be some sea weeds on the beach but not really much. The beach is quite clean and it is quiet.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Falassarna naturist beach in Crete
Falassarna, 20 km west of Kisamos, is a quiet village, with some small hotels, apartments and taverna's. It's the place of a spectaculair big sand beach, with beautiful rocks in the sea, making it look like something out of a fairy tale. It looks like a landscape of dunes, with fine sand. Falassarna is also the site of an ancient Hellenistic port, which was surrounded by walls and connected to the sea by a canal. 10 Minutes north by foot some of the walls, the defensive towers and a temple can still be seen.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
The naturist beach and the village of Ferma, southeast Crete
Ferma is a small village on the southeast coast of Crete, in between Ierapetra and Makrigialos, with a couple of hotels and taverna's. The beach is large and with sand and pebbles. On one side there is a small taverna with just a few umbrellas and sunbeds, on the other side there is nothing but the beach. This side is also used by the naturists - us in this case because there was nobody else on the beach besides two people near the taverna- but we were told that this is the naturist part of the beach. The sea is cristal clear and it has a bit of pebbles when you get into the water. The best part of this naturist beach is actually at the end where the unfinished church is (also good for some shade) and there are some larger rocks in the water, protecting it from the waves. Here it is sandy and shallow and very easy to get in and out of the water. Since the beach at Ferma is pretty large it would be wise to bring your own water if you plan to lie down at the naturist part of it. There are several tavernas in the village and also a good supermarket. In the meantime the beach of Ferma has become one of our favorites for a lazy afternoon in the sand. It is always nice and quiet and it is easy to get into the sea at the end of the naturist beach.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Gialiskari naturist beach near Paleochora on Crete
The beach of Gialiskari is a rather large pebble beach just outside the village of Paleochora, in southwest Crete. The beach is situated on the eastside of the village and can be reached over a dirttrack (2007) with some bumps in in. On the way to the beach - actua;;y there are two - you will see other beaches along the way. On Gialiskari beach there are umbrellas and sunbeds for rent and there is a taverna. Parts of this beach and of the beaches on the rout to it are also used as naturistbeaches. The beach of Gialiskari is a pebble beach with quite large pebbles.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Itanos and Itanos naturist beach in Crete
A short drive north of Vai (in the nort east of Crete) you find the relatively isolated bays and beaches of Itanos (also including a nudist beach). As an extra bonus there is a Minoan city at the entrance of the main beach. Itanos was one of the most influential places in the east of Crete. It florished from early Minoan to early Byzantian times. There are traces of a basilic and of Greek walls, and a lot of fallen apart traces on the hill.
Itanos was particularly powerful during the Greek era and it was flourishing by the seventh century B.C. Itanos was continuously at war with its neighbours, originally with Praisos, and when Ierapytna destroyed Praisos, Itanos was at war with Ierapytna. An important reason for the conflict was dispute over the control of the Temple of Zeus in Palaikastro. The site covers an area of more than 16,000 square meters, and most of it is still not escavated.
If after you've seen the nearby palmbeach of Vai you think that that is too commercial and too cultivated, than these beaches are closeby and a good option. In the area there are more quiet places to be found. Up north the road suddenly ends. Well: you are not allowed to drive any farther for one reason or another.
There are no tavernas, restaurants or anything at all at the site, so you must bring your own supplies. I think that because a lot of the site has not been escevated yet, it is not allowed to build houses any longer (we saw one). If you want a nice beach in the area with restaurants and hotels than Kouremenos (close to Palekastro) would be a good choice.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Kali Limenes naturist beach in Crete
Kali Limenes is a coastal village 77km southwest of Iraklion. You can reach it from a side street in Mires (which is a good road) or by a steep and scary dirt road which leads you along a monastery first (we did this...). Either way the trip is really worth it.
Kali Limenes has a lovely long whitecoloured beach with relatively unspoilt scenery and clear water. There are a couple of rocks in the sea in front of the beach and a small island with some oil storage tanks. While we were there it was as good as deserted. We didn't see any hotels except for one, but this one appeared to have been closed years ago.
On the beach there's one small taverna. The beach is a nudist beach :). This is one of the nicest beaches I found on Crete so far.
Kali Limenes is the site of an ancient city called Lassea, which was a good harbour city during Greco-Roman times. No excavations have been done here yet. It is said that the apostle Paul was shipwrecked here. On the other side of the anchorage you will find another nice and quiet beach. The village of Kali Limenes itself consists of just a few houses and a few fishing kaiks in the water and on the beach. The voice of tranquillity is in the air...loved it.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
The village and the beaches of Kalo Nero on Crete
Kalo Nero is a small village a little east of Makrigialos, in southeast Crete. This part of the island is very quiet. Near Kalo Nero ars several beaches, amongst which are a large natursit beach and this small beach in my pictures. Kalo Nero means "good water". In the sea in front of this little beach are a couple of beautiful rocks. The whole area of southeast Crete is very pretty and quiet. A bit outside of Kalo Nero you will find a monastery, a gorge and several other beaches.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
The village and the naturist beach of Kastri in the south of Crete
The village and the beach of Kastri are situated in the south of Crete on the route Tsoutsouros - Keratokampos. There is a village beach and outside of the village it is endless sand with every here and there beautiful rocks in the water or on the beach itself. It is a very quiet spot. Because it is so large and so quiet the beach outside of the village is also used as a naturist beach.
The village of Kastri itself is small and yet there are a few hotels (family hotel size - only small ones) and pensions, and there are some apartments for rent. At the seafront there are a few taverna's. At first glance a lovely village with a very beautiful beach / naturist beach.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Kommos Naturist Beach near Matala in Crete
Kommos is located 71km from southwest of Heraklion on the sea, just north of Matala.
Leaving Matala, you go round a curve and after the campgrounds on the hill and before the village of Pitsidia, there are left turns to the area of Kommos. These are dirt tracks you can walk in 15 minutes or you can drive down from the main road.
Kommos has a very big and beautiful sandy beach east of Matala. The beach is quite spectacular and surprisingly undeveloped, probably due to the archaeological site and restrictions on private enterprise in the area. It's much more quiet than the Matala beach, and there's room for nudists.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Lendas naturist beach in Crete
The small coastal village of Lendas is 73km southeast of Iraklion, in the south
of Crete. The name Lendas derives from the word lion (liondas), because from
high up the peninsula looks shaped like a lion. Lendas is an ancient Greek and
Roman site, and has Byzantine churches and some escavations that you can visit.
It's a cosy little village filled with flowers and bougainville, friendly
people, and there are plenty of taverna's and a supermarket.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Micro Amoudi naturist beach in Crete
Micro Amoudi is a small nudist beach close to Plakias in the south of Crete. The location is next to Damnoni on the rocky road, practically between Amoudi and Damnoni beach.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Paleochora village and naturist beaches in Crete
Paleochora is situated on a small peninsula in the south west of Crete, 77 kilometers from Chania. It's 'crowned' with a Venetian castle that has for the most part fallen apart. In 1278 the Venetian general Marinos Gradengos had the castle of Selino built. The pirate Barbarosa destroyed the fort in a raid in 1539 but the outside of the fortress is still well-preserved. The village of Paleochora itself is build on the ancient town of Kalamidis.
On both sides of the peninsula you can find beaches. On one side there is a long pebble beach (and I really mean pebble...no sand) which is used mainly by nudists. On this side you also find the harbour with boats departing to the islands of Gavdos and Elafonisi, and to several other villages that lie along the south west coast of Crete, like Sougia, Loutro and Chora Sfakion. Actually this is the most attractive part of the village.
There is a long boulevard with houses, hotels, rooms for rent and shops. On the other side you will find the long sand beach of Paleochora. The beach may be better, but the atmospere is less cosy here.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
The village and the naturist beaches of Plakias in Crete
The large, stretched out bay of Plakias, that is surrounded by steep hilltops,
is an attractive looking village in the south of Crete. The original village
with its harbour is on the west side of a very large beach that is sheltered by
tamarisk trees. Around the harbour the beach is often pebbly, but if you walk
farther the beach becomes better and less crowded. Plakias beach has also places that are used as naturist beaches.
Plakias has become quite
populair in recent years (lots of Germans), and hotels and other buildings are
rising everywhere in the village. Allthough it is a very pretty village I
seemed to be missing some kind of atmosphere. The new part of the town with the
boulevard was not my cup of tea. I was missing original buildings, houses that
are falling apart, I was even missing goats :).
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Preveli Palm beach naturist beach in Crete
Preveli Beach or Palm Beach is one of the most spectaculair beaches in Crete. You can reach it in two ways. As you drive south you will see an old bridge on the left side of the road. On the left side of the river you will find the unpaved (but not impossible) road that will lead you directly to the beach. Once at your destination you will be at Preveli beach, but you will still have to climb a hill to get to the other side to "Palm Beach". At the beginning of this road they will tell you that the beach is 3 km away. Don't be fooled: the road is much longer that that! Only if you are a well trained walker you might want to try, but be reminded that you have to climb over mountains up and down, plus you have to walk back again.
The other possibillity is to take the paved road on the right side. You will pass the abandoned Lower Preveli Monastery and a little bit farther down the road there is a sign pointing you to Palm Beach. At the end of this road there is PAID PARKING (1 euro 50 - 2006). Don't think you are there yet, because after you have parked your car you still have a long way to go! There are many, many steps down on the old stairs (and up again!!!) if you want to reach the beach. The views are very rewarding though. And because of this don't think you are going to be alone on Palm Beach, because it's a busy beach.
Palm Beach is a sandy cove with a river running through it, at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The area resembles a tropical lagoon with its palms, oleanders, waterfalls and stream which flows into the sea.
At the end of the beach (on the other side of te hill, away from the river) there is room for naturists to enjoy sunning and swimming without bathing suits, and it is sort of an unofficial naturist beach.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Sougia naturist beach in Crete
The beach village of Sougia is situated 70 kilometers south from the old capitol Chania. You can reach it from Chania in a 2 hours drive through beautiful green mountains. The westbound boats from Hora Sfakia stop here as well on their way to Paleochora.
Sougia is a small village with not many houses on the beach. It will probably stay this way for much longer. Sougia is a historical site where a lot of escavations still have to take place. This is the reason why it is not allowed to build houses and no land is given out for sale, so an extra guarantee that it will not be exploited for mass tourism.
Allthough there is a sign opposite the taveerne on the corner of the main road saying that 'nudism is prohibited' Sougia is mainly a nudist beach. It is long stretched and beautiful with pebbles and sand, the atmosphere of the village is cosy, and the people very friendly. Sougia has some tourist services, such as small supermarkets, rooms to rent and small hotels and tavernas. Behind Sougia there is the start of a second gorge, a bit smaller than the one at Samaria, another opportunity for an interesting walk.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
The village and the naturist beaches of Tertsa next to Vatos and Mirtos
The village of Tertsa is a little bit off the beaten track and here it is still relatively quiet. There is not much to do and especially not much to do in the evenings. There are no bars or discos so the options are to just sit in a taverna and have something to eat and drink a glass of wine while you are watching the sea, or you do the same on the balcony of your accommodation (if you have one). It is therefore primarily a place for people that are looking for peace and quiet. In Tertsa you will find yourself a couple of steps back in time. It is still a bit like what Crete was in the past (and I know because my first time on the island was in 1974).
The biggest attraction I believe are the beaches that you can find in Tertsa. If you drive from Mνrtos to Tertsa you already see a lot of beaches along the side of the road,
but just past the village (that is next to the village beach which has a number of beach umbrellas and sunbeds - also a good and quiet beach by the way) are four fantastic beaches where it is quiet and where naturists can also lie down. They are good beaches where you can easily go into the sea and where there are no rocks on which you can hurt yourself. These beaches are much nicer than the beaches that are in between the two villages because they are beautiful to look at, they are also more private and there are no cars driving past. In short: Tertsa is a top destination for naturists.
During the daytime there are also some people that are visiting from Mirtos to lie down in the sand here, but in the evening they all return and total peace and quiet returns to the village again. Summarized Tertsa is ideal for people who really want nothing (no shops, no night life etc) and only look for silence (although there is a dog that will bark from time to time) and beautiful beaches to relax and enjoy.
For good food you also don't have to look any further because Lambros Taverna on the beach is really very good. So if you like to do nothing at all besides packing your towel, your sunscreen lotion, some water and your book in a bag and then walk to the beach to take in the sun this is a perfect place. Of course, you can also make walks in the area or go to the village Mνrtos (five kilometers away) where there is some more life. This walk along the coast is also very beautiful.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Tholos naturist beach in Crete - The secret treasure of the north
Tholos :)...this is a secret treasure! I think this must be one of the most
gorgeous beaches of Crete. Halfway between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia lies the
village of Kavousi, and a road leading from this village will take you to this
hidden gem. It's quiet, the water is the most turquoise I've ever seen, there's
an island right in front of it: it's just absolutely stunning!! On the beach
there is a 2 square meter taverne, and one house where you can rent rooms.
Together with a small church and one more house this is about all the buildings
that you can find here.
Kouremenos and Ithanos also very, very nice, but
this would be my number one tip for a beach in the north of Crete.
A little bit past the main beach is another smaller hidden beach that
is used by naturists (in this case: us, because it is usually empty). Naturism and
beautiful nature go hand in hand here.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Vatos village and naturist beach in Crete
West of Ierapatra and about two kilometers west of Mirtos on the southeast / middle of Crete lies the tiny village of Vatos, with a small church, two or three houses and large beaches.
It is a quiet area and there is hardly anybody on the beaches around the village, so also suitable for naturists, and some parts of these beaches are in use as naturist beaches, even if it is just because nobody is there.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
The village and the naturist beaches of Xerokampos on Crete
This was for us love at first sight. Xerokampos in the extreme southeast of Crete is actually not really like a village or a beach, but it is more like a collection of different beaches, and different kinds of beaches. There are crudely stated three "main beaches" and than there are several other smaller beaches in the area. On some parts of the larger beaches you can rent an umbrella, but most of the beaches are unspoilt. We had such a good time here en enjoyed every minute of our visit. We found ourselves a great little private beach, one in a row of many more. On parts of the main beaches and on the small beaches you can find the naturists (like us).
The village doesn't really have a heart and the houses are spread out over the area, some with each beach, and a taverna every here and there. There were quite a number of hotels, apartmentbuildings and pensions. This was really a fun part of Crete in our point of view and it's also a pretty part, with cute islands in the front. You can reach Xerokampos trough Ziros, Gouderas or Zakros.
|
______________________________________________________________________________________
|
|
Tip by Rita Woldringh - another naturist beach near Frangokastelo
We regularly go to this lovely beach near Frangokastello.
Maybe an addition to your list?
You can reach it by taking the road just before reaching Frangokastello (coming from Plakias) where it says "Fata Morgana".
Above the beach is a tavern, where you can park the car.
When you arrive on the beach go left and the end there is (as often) a naturist part.
Surrounded by cliffs and sand dunes it is a heavenly place.
The sea is shallow and the beach is sandy also when you go into the water.
Attached are two photos of the beach (see above).
|
 Hans Huisman, http://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2009
<![CDATA[<XMP></body></xmp>]]>
| |
