Location

Pachia Ammos beach (i.e.thick sand) is located 20km east of Agios Nikolaos, on the road leading to Sitia and Ierapetra.
The long beach lies in front of the homonymous village, on the north side of the narrowest part of Crete.

Characteristics

Facilities

Umbrellas and sunbeds, showers, lifeguard, parking, cafe, snack, restaurants, tavernas, accommodation, mini markets.

Notes

The eastern part of the beach features large pebbles and has a rocky sea bed.
It is frequently wavy and offers no beach facilities other than the natural shade of several tamarisk trees.
Due to its position, at the southern point of the Mirabello gulf, there is litter and generally garbage washed by the currents.
Moving to the west, there is a road pointing to the beach of Limani (i.e. harbour) which is sandy, organised, clean and protected by a jetty.

Opposite the beach there is the small islet of Konida (i.e. louse egg) which can be reached by boat.

Pachia Ammos is the seat of the Institute for the Study of Prehistoric Aegean of Eastern Crete which conducts systematic excavations, preservation and restoration of the antiquities as the surrounding area offers important archaeologican sites; the Minoan cemetery and settlement of Gournia, 2km west of the Pachia Ammos, as well as the important Early Minoan settlement of Vasiliki, dated to 2600-2300 B.C.

2km east Gournia, there is also the impressive Monastery of Faneromeni, whereas 2km east of Vasiliki you will find the traditional village of Monastiraki with stone houses, old watermills and the church of St. Stephen.
On the road you will also have a view of the imposing gorge of Ha, at the exit of mountain Trypiti.

How to get to Pachia Ammos

Pachia Ammos is accessible from Agios Nikolaos with public buses as well as rented or private cars and motorbikes.
If you choose to drive from Agios Nikolaos, follow the main road connecting Agios Nikolaos with Sitia and Ierapetra to the east.
The beach runs along the road.