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Basically this is the east end of the main Plakias beach. Paligremnos, or Gonates (Knees), is sandy, well organized and with clear water. The following phenomenon takes place here: when the full moon (from early September through to late January) rises in the east, its light strikes the cliffs

Rethymno (Réthymno) region: Crete’s smallest prefecture located between White Mountains and Mt Psilorítis (also called “Ídi”), is synonymous with gorgeous mountainscapes, marvellous beaches, Cretan lyre melodies, tsikoudiá spirit served with “oftó”, legendary caves, historic monasteries and monuments, traditional mountain villages and luxurious holiday resorts. Feel the essence

A lovely beach with sand alternating with pebbles, and crystalline waters that deepen suddenly. Sheltered, with rocks all around, it takes its name from the ancient temple to the goddess Britomartis, which stood here and attracted many worshippers (you entered on bare feet). Britomartis was later equated with the goddess Artemis. Minos, King of Crete, conceived

The beach (the Bramble) and its associated village lie on the borders of the two prefectures of Heraklion and Lasithi. It is a large deserted stretch with small pebbles and blue waters. Neither rent-rooms nor other services exist. All you will discover are a few tamarisktrees to offer you their

The village is called after a tower, built of red clay, that once stood here. A smallharbour operates here, where are to be seen skiffs and fishing boats. The locals mostly work with the greenhouse crops, which cover vast areas hereabouts. By the harbour, the sandy beach is exposed to the

The name (Holy Fire) comes from the church of Aghia Foteini next to the beach. An illustration of Francesco Basilicata (1618) is titled Spiaggia di Santa Lucia (the same, in Italian) and you can indeed make out this very same beach. It is quiet and sheltered, with high cliffs, small pebbles and sand,

Its name comes from its dominating feature: three impressive rocks that emerge from the blue sea: two strands make it up – Large (at the west) and Little (at the east). Essentially this division is occasioned by a small promontory that so creates two bays: this projecting land terminates in the three rocks mentioned, they

About 600 m in length, the beach has white sands. At its west end, the more organized, a small river flows all year round. Fully organized, there are umbrellas, sunbeds, showers and a lifeguard: it is ideal forwater-sports, and boasts a diving School, and an equestrian centre; hotels and restaurants too.

Small ammoudi The westernmost is the smallest of these: with white sand, crystal clear but cold water and frequented by nudists. Though not organized, it does have a café-canteen where you can get umbrellas and sunbeds. When there, the cave at is west end is worth taking a look at. At the east

Plakias is a popular tourist destination on the south coast of the Rethymnon Prefecture. The central beach is some 1.3 km long, sandy and organized (sunbeds, umbrellas and showers). It is a perfect spot for surfing and diving: a centre for the last operates here. All around you will find a sufficiency of hotels