DK Travel : Crete : Outdoor

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Siteia

Unlike most larger Cretan coastal towns, Siteia has a perfectly good beach right on its doorstep that is great for windsurfing.
Siteia

The beach at Siteia stretches for miles east of the town and is backed by a ramshackle strip of hotels, guesthouses and cafés. This quiet port on Crete’s north coast seems to have escaped the tourist invasion relatively unscathed.
Snorkelling

Crete’s crystal waters, teaming with colourful fish, are ideal for snorkelling.
Sougia

Shaded in places by a line of Tamarisk trees, Sougia’s position between Paleochora and Agia Roumeli makes it ideal for a quick plunge for walkers treading a coastal route.
Sougia-Agia Roumeli

The walk begins in the sleepy beach village of Sougia, on the eastern fringe of the White Mountains, and climbs first through fields and pastureland, then meadows of wild flowers and pine woods, onto barren slopes high above the sea, before descending to Agia Roumeli. Astute navigational skills and a good map are required.
Spinalonga

At the mouth of the Gulf of Mirabello, Spinalonga is a maze of Venetian battlements. Daily boat trips venture here in summer from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos – 5, 20 and 35 minutes respectively (see Spinalonga).
Spring Crocus

This mauve flower with vivid yellow stamens flowers early in the year.
Stavros

Quieter than Platanias, and so an attractive alternative for those seeking a little tranquillity. The lagoon-like bay featured in the film Zorba the Greek .
Vai

Vai’s beach is certainly the most scenic in eastern Crete, with yellow sand and a grove of date palms giving it a truly tropical appearance.
Vai

A group of sturdy date palms on a crescent of sandy beach at Vai is claimed to be Europe’s only palm forest. The palms may originally have been planted by Arab raiders or ancient Phoenicians. Today the palm grove is carefully protected.