Like I mentioned in my previous post, Heraklion as a city doesn’t have a beach, like Rethymno or Chania, for example. However, in the area (on a 25km radius, both east and west) there are some nice ones, most of them suitable for families with children (fine sand, smooth entry in the sea, sunbeds and umbrellas, etc).

1. Ammoudara Beach

Located 5km west of Heraklion, Ammoudara (Gazi) is basically a suburb of the capital city and a very popular tourist destination. 

Pros: 

· It can be easily reached by public transportation (bus nr 6 from city center) and it has a large offer of hotels and accommodations

· Long sandy beach and shallow sea

· Beachbeds, umbrellas and facilities for disabled people

· Beachbars, restaurants and tavernas

Cons:

· The sea is usually wavy

· Being a large beach, it is exposed to Meltemi and the winds, so people often complain that their vacation was ruined

· It is next to the public power station, so it might not offer the best view or sometimes the wind can bring some industrial smell

2. Karteros and Amnissos beach

Located 7km east of Heraklion, it stretches along two villages, Karteros and Amnissos. To be honest, this is my favourite from the area, as I have stayed here and also because it’s not so touristy, but more a beach for the locals. Last year they have build Karteros Sports Center, where international beach sports competitions take place. 

Pros:

· Easily reached by public transport (bus nr 7 from Heraklion city center), stops Paralia Karteros and Paralia Amnissos

· Golden sand beach and shallow waters

· Plenty of choices for sunbeds and beach bars – A Paradise Beach Bar, Yabanaki, Coconut beach bar (Karteros) and News Beach Bar, Cicada Seaside Escape (Amnissos). 

· Beach bars also have food at decent prices

· Tavernas and restaurants in the area

· Hotels and airbnbs

· Perfect place for plane spotting (for the avgeeks) as they are close to Heraklion Airport and you can see all the planes that are landing (or take off, depending on the wind direction😊)

· Free parking 

· Safety lockers on the umbrellas, where you can leave your valuables (phone, wallet, etc) when you want to go for a swim or to the toilets (if you go by yourself)

· They are safe, you can leave your belongings on the sunbed and go for a swim

· Plenty of space for those that prefer not to pay for sunbeds or for those that play beach sports

· Pet friendly 

· You can pay by card

Cons: 

· You have to walk approx.. 10 mins from the nearest bus station and it can be difficult in the summer, as there is little to no shadow on the way

· As they are the preferred beaches for the inhabitants of Heraklion and the locals, they can be extremely busy in the weekends (if you arrive past 9am, little chances of finding available sunbeds)

· As most of the beaches in the north of Crete, strong winds and high waves can happen

· There are some rocks right where the sea starts and they can be washed ashore after a storm

· Being close to the airport and right at the end of the runway, the sound of plane engines can be really loud. Also, if the wind direction is east or north-east, it can bring an unpleasant smell of kerosene

3. Kokkini Chani, Gouves and Gournes

These small villages are located east of Heraklion, on the national road that connects it to Agios Nikolaos. 

Pros:

· Easily reached by public transport, by taking any bus in the Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Hersonissos or Malia direction. 

· Golden sand beaches

· Shallow waters

· Sunbeds and umbrellas

· Tavernas and restaurants

· Walking distance from the bus stops

Cons:

· The beaches of Gouves and Gournes are quite far from the bus stops, 20-25 mins walk

· As they are well developed holiday destinations, with plenty of resorts, they can be very crowded, especially in peak season

· Strong winds and high waves, not allowing swimming for several days, sometimes

4. Analipsi and Anissaras

Pros:

· Not so crowded

· Sunbeds and umbrellas

· Tavernas and restaurants

· A lot of all inclusive resorts (adults only, for families, etc)

· Tavernas and restaurants

· Shallow waters

· Connected to public transport, any bus in the Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra, Hersonissos or Malia direction.

Cons:

· Pebbled or rocky beach

· Quite far from the bus stops, 15-20 mins walk

· Some resorts might have their private beach, therefore external access is not allowed and there might be few options for those that do not stay at those hotels

· Strong winds and high waves, not allowing swimming for several days, sometimes

6. Hersonissos

Known as the Ibiza of Crete, it is the most popular tourist destination in the area. 

Pros:

· 5 mins walk from the bus stations

· Sandy beach and shallow water

· Calm sea, protected against the wind by Cape Sarandaris

· Sunbeds and umbrellas

· Tavernas and restaurants

· Beach bars and beach clubs

· A lot of hotels and resorts in the area

Cons:

· Some parts of the beach might be rocky, special water shoes needed for swimming

· Very crowded 

· Beach parties and loud music

· Quite a lot of drunk people (sorry, but that is the reality)

· Narrow beaches 

· Some all inclusive resorts have their private beach

7. Malia and Stalis (Stalida)

Both popular tourist destinations, they mark the end of the Heraklion Prefecture beaches, to the east.

Pros:

· Sandy beaches and shallow sea

· Can be reached by public transport

· Sunbeds and umbrellas

· Tavernas and restaurants

· A lot of accommodation options

· Suitable for families with small children

Cons:

· They are extremely crowded

· Malia beach is quite far from the bus station, approx. 25 mins walk

· Being crowded, beach services are slow (you might have to wait around 20 mins for a coffee and even more for food)

· Strong winds and high waves

8. Agia Pelagia 

Located 21km east of Heraklion, Agia Pelagia is a popular tourist destination, but also the heaven of real estate. Being a village in amphitheatre, the hotels and the accommodations offer a stunning view over the turquoise waters.

Pros:

· Sandy beach and shallow sea

· Calm waters, as it is in a gulf 

· Beach bars

· Tavernas and restaurants

· Plenty of choices for accommodation

· Sunbeds and umbrellas

· Can be reached by public transport

Cons:

· It is a crowded area

· The beach is narrow, in some places only one row of sunbeds can be placed

· There are areas with rocky waters

· It is prone to natural disasters, such as extreme floods and landslides (the most recent was in September 2022) because of its natural placing 

· The road is in good condition, but with a lot of turns and it can easily cause motion sickness

· There are two types of public transport to get there: one is the bus that goes to Rethymno or Chania and it stops at the national road and you have to walk to the beach approx. 30 mins. The other are the busses that connect Heraklion Central Bus Station to the hotels, but these are less frequent.