Location
Itanos or Erimoupolis beaches are 91km east of Agios Nikolaos, 24km east of Sitia, 9km from Palekastro and just 3km north of the famous Vai beach.
Their name derives form the ancient city of Itanos, sited in the area and part of which is under water, therefore a mask is absolutely necessary!
Characteristics
Access By: Car/foot | Beach Type: Pebbles |
Depth: Normal | Temperature: Cool |
Organised: No | Crowded: No |
Family-friendly: Yes | Natural Shade: Yes |
Windy: Yes | Nudism-friendly:Yes |
Facilities
The beaches aren’t organised.
Notes
Itanos (or Erimoupolis) features three beautiful, quiet and virgin beaches.
The first one lies just in front of the parking of the archaeological site of Itanos.
The second is reached by walking to the north and the third is also accessible on foot towards the south, behind the small fortress.
Just in front of the parking of the archaeological site there is a pebbly beach, with rocks at several places and some tamarisk trees offering shadow.
The beach located on the south of the small fortress is accessed via the path that runs beside it, about five minutes on foot or by driving on the narrow unpaved road which leads briefly in front of the first buildings on the hill of the excavation site to a large palm tree forest which runs to the beach, creating a beautiful scenery.
It is very quiet and nudism friendly.
The most beautiful beach, however, lies north of the parking area of the archaeological site where the main road stops, on the left hand of the excavations.
You can get there if you follow the path over the low hill for about five minutes.
It is the longest beach and has amazing transparent light blue waters and fine sand.
Erimoupolis beaches are a paradise for the lovers of diving since under water there is a whole ancient city waiting to be discovered, so a mask is an imperative!
How to get to Itanos
Itanos beaches are accessible by rented cars and motorbikes towards the east, to Palekastro.
From Palekastro, follow the signs leading to Vai and when you reach the crossroads don’t turn towards Vai but go straight following the signs to Itanos.