How to get from Heraklion to Vai beach? Crete palm beach on the map.

• Where to stay: On the most developed in terms of tourism, as well as the most central and numerous archipelago Aegean Sea- the blessed Cyclades, whose variety of hotels will satisfy every taste. On the islands of the Saronic Gulf, tourists will find a remarkable entertainment industry, while on the Ionian Islands and the Dodecanese archipelago, nature and beach holiday fun are in the right balance. The Eastern Sporades are very beautiful and secluded, while the Northern Sporades and the North Aegean archipelago are even too secluded - people come here mainly on excursions. Everything that is in Greece can be found in popular Crete.
• What to see: The Greek islands are a concentration of natural and historical attractions. Among the cozy bays of the rugged coastline picturesque fishing villages lurk, centuries-old olive groves hide the ruins of ancient civilizations, snow-white walls of houses shine in the sun, and tiled roofs are painted in bright crimson shades in the evenings. And from the Greek islands you can easily get to the mainland - for example, to see with your own eyes the greatness of Athens, Sparta or Meteora.
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Vai Beach is the largest palm beach in Europe. The place is not only beautiful, but also unique in many ways, since such landscapes are not typical for the Mediterranean. The total area of ​​the palm grove is 250 hectares and a wide sand spit runs along it. The beach is one of the main attractions of Crete. In the 80s, this beach became a favorite place for hippies, but soon local authorities realized that nothing good could come from the presence of hippies except garbage and declared this area a protected area. The beach was cleaned, landscaped and eventually awarded the Blue Flag.

Since the palm grove is something special for these places, there are many legends surrounding the origin of the beach. One of them says that Arab pirates once landed on this beach, ate dates and threw away the pits, and years later a palm grove appeared.

The palm grove is still under state protection; it is prohibited to set up tents or make fires here. The beach is located two kilometers from the city of Itanos and 28 kilometers from the city of Sitia. The road is winding, but along the way you can enjoy gorgeous scenery. You need to go to the beach early in the morning, as in some places the road narrows to such an extent that only one car can pass and it takes a lot of time to let other cars pass. The beach becomes crowded starting from 11 o’clock, when there is a stream of cars and buses with tourists and local residents. Parking is paid, but the prices are not high, about 2.5-3 euros. Free parking spaces run out quickly, but this is a minor problem since there is a free parking area 500 meters from the beach.

The sand on the beach is fine and golden in color. For those who find it uncomfortable to walk on hot sand, there are paths. Waves are not frequent guests here, so the water is almost always crystal clear.

The infrastructure is well developed. For 9 euros you can rent a set of an umbrella and a sun lounger for the day. A visit to the shower or toilet will cost 0.5 euros; for a cup of coffee you will have to pay about 3 euros. Changing cabins are provided. There is a certain problem with children's entertainment, but for adults there are water skis, parachutes, bananas and other water activities. The prices are a bit steep; for five minutes of such pleasure you will have to pay from 20 euros. underwater world This beach will delight snorkelers with a variety of underwater life. The entrance to the sea is sandy, but almost immediately after the entrance the rocky bottom begins and without special shoes there is a risk of injuring your feet.

There are no hotels or other accommodation options on or near the beach. Tourists stop in nearby cities. There is an excellent market nearby wide choice all kinds of fruits at reasonable prices.

Located above the beach observation deck, where you can climb the stairs and take some beautiful pictures as a souvenir of your visit to this place. If you are nearby, be sure to visit this wonderful beach.

But not only for the sake of the palm trees, tourists flock in droves to visit this place, but also because the picturesque Vai is a large sand and pebble beach. Part of the territory is hidden in the shade of palm leaves, where you can safely hide from the scorching rays of the sun. Thanks to the warm and dry climate, the exotic beach with white sand and palm trees is more reminiscent of African and Caribbean landscapes than Greek ones.

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From Bounty to hippies

Vai began his “tourist” history in the early 70s of the 20th century, when an advertisement for Bounty coconut bars was filmed against the backdrop of a palm grove. By the way, coconuts falling from tree branches have nothing to do with Crete, because only date palms grow on Vai. Nevertheless, many people were attracted to this place by its special beauty. Hippies first arrived here, looking for a new Mecca, and it was Palm Vai that became a giant campsite surrounded by... mountains of garbage. However, in the 1980s, changes began to occur. The hippie movement began to die, and most of the “party” left these places. In addition, a regulation was issued in 1980 to protect the palm forest. Today, Vai is one of 19 areas in Greece recognized as an area of ​​special protection under Protocol 4 to the Barcelona Convention on Mediterranean Protected Areas. The beach area is fenced and accessible only during the day. It is prohibited to smoke, light fires, pitch tents, or carry out any activities that threaten the local flora and fauna. There are no hotels or apartments here. The nearest housing is located outside the protected area.

A little history

While studying various sources, you have probably come across various theories about the appearance of the palm forest. The most popular of them say that the palm trees grew here thanks to seeds that were brought by Saracen pirates. They simply... spit out seeds on the ground, and after many years about 6,000 trees grew here. According to another theory, the place of the Arabs was taken by Phoenician sailors who colonized this part of Crete. These legends are more like fairy tales, so scientists turned to other sources that proved that the plants growing here are an endemic species known as Phoenix theophrasti (Cretan Date Palm). This palm tree has been known since ancient times and its existence has been recorded in historical accounts.

How to spend time on the beach

Although the beach is considered sandy, it is actually sand and pebbles. In summer, the surface can heat up to very high temperatures and burn your feet. Therefore, wooden platforms were placed here. The beach has complete tourist infrastructure. You can rent sun loungers for 6 euros. Due to its popularity during the high season, the beach is very busy with holidaymakers, so there is a high probability that it will not be easy to find a place to relax. Be prepared for this and plan your trip in advance. There are also amenities including a shower with fresh water and toilets.

There is a tavern on the beach, unfortunately, with somewhat inflated prices. The beach, like the palm forest, is fenced, so there is a paid parking lot for cars 200 meters from the beach. On Vai you can practice typical sports water sports (wakeboarding, scooters, water skiing). In calm waters, you can explore the life of marine life by swimming with a mask (goggles) and a snorkel. We recommend taking the time to visit the observation area, which offers beautiful views of the beach and forest.

How to get to Vai

Since the beach is located some distance from the main tourist places, so you can only get to the beach by your own transport or by bus. However, if traveling via KTEL (local bus line) from Sitia, you must plan your travel schedule carefully. First, you need to get to Sitia, then another 24 km by bus to the beach, which runs only 2-3 times a day.

Vai is located 94 km from Agios Nikolaos, 24 km from the city of Sitia. Due to the very far location from popular tourist centers an excursion to Vai should be combined, for example, with a visit to the Moni Toplou monastery, which owns the entire territory. It is also worth taking the opportunity to explore Itanos, where there are very interesting excavations.

If your hotel is located in the middle part of Crete, then in order to get to the beach with palm trees and relax on it, you need to set aside the whole day. And traveling from the western part of Crete is completely inconvenient. The New National Road, passing by Lastros, turns into a narrow road winding among the mountains. And only after the village of Skopi the road will become a little calmer - this is 9 km before Sitia. Near Sitia, the landscape becomes similar to North African. The rest of the road between Moni Toplo and Vai will not cause any problems - just follow the signs.

The uniqueness of this beach is that next to it is located the only one in Europe wild palm forest. And this is not one and a half palm trees, but a truly gorgeous tropical forest!

A legitimate question arises: where did it come from in the Mediterranean? The most interesting thing is that the forest is truly of natural origin. According to legend, it grew from date seeds, which, after eating the fruits, were scattered by the Phoenicians who once landed on the island of Crete.

Wonderful smooth entry into the water Very suitable for children and those who like to play around in warm shallow water. There is everything for a civilized holiday here, which on the one hand is convenient, but on the other hand is very spoiling pristine beauty this is definitely an exceptional place.

Previously a very popular place for wild recreation, now Vai Beach is protected area where you cannot light fires or pitch a tent.

What to see

The popularity of Vai Beach is off the charts, so in high season it is a huge number of people, especially in the afternoon. And if you want to see all the stunning beauty of this place without being disturbed by hundreds of feet sea ​​water, you need to come here at dawn.

This is truly magnificent! Soft sand under your feet, crystal water, allowing you to see the smallest details at the bottom. The chirping of birds, not drowned out by the noise of voices, and the quiet, mesmerizing rustle of the waves.

And if you make a simple climb to observation deck and at all The panorama will take your breath away! An endless sea dotted with quaint rocky islands, a blue sky and an indescribable feeling of the endless perfection of our beautiful world!

Those who want to enjoy peace and quiet This coast of Crete can take a five-minute journey north or south of Vai, where there are beautiful secluded beaches.

Local residents are very fond of the story that here Bounty commercial filmed, but this, of course, is not true. Because the sand here is not the same and palm trees do not grow so close to the water.

How to get there

Road to the beach not the easiest, but quite surmountable. If you are not driving, you can get there by public transport or take a tour from any agency.

Vai Beach is located in a picturesque and secluded area east coast Crete in the Lasithi region. 95 km from the capital of the region - Agios Nikolaos, 26 km from the seaside town of Sitia.

Crete is the largest Greek island. It is washed by three seas - Mediterranean, Aegean, Ionian. The climate on the island is mild due to its location in most of the Mediterranean climate zone. It is divided into four parts: Heraklion, Rethymno, Lasithi, Chania. The capital is the city of Heraklion. The island is rich not only in stunning beauty, but also in history and unchanging traditions.

Sights and beach holidays

The history of Crete began more than five thousand years ago. Left a huge mark on history Minoan civilization, which was the most developed at that time. As a result of the heritage, the island received ancient fortresses and cities. Throughout the island you can see the juxtaposition of palaces with hotels, which makes it unusual and delightful. Tourists can plunge into history ancient civilization. You can also relax on luxurious beaches, enjoy the impressive surroundings.

Crete is a great holiday destination. Everyone will find something to their liking.

Holidays on Vai

The following cities should be visited:

• The city of Heraklion is a commercial center filled with hotels and shops. You can learn a lot amazing facts about this capital.
• Rethymnon is a city that has preserved its history. Here you may encounter architectural monuments, Venetian buildings, mosques. There are many museums to visit. The port of Rethymnon and the powerful fortification of Fortezza will not leave you indifferent. The city is also popular for its beaches.
• In the city of Chania you can visit Sintrivani Square, the Church of the Three Martyrs, the Firkas Fortress and many other places. The inhabitants of Chania have managed to preserve the relics of different cultures adjacent to each other, which gives the city a special architectural feature.

For thrill-seekers, it is suggested to visit the Water City water park. This is where the most modern attractions are located. This water park leaves no one indifferent. Everything is decorated in Greek style. Diving to the sunken city of Olus allows you to get acquainted with the history of the huge shopping center. The Dictaean Cave, or the Cave of Zeus, surprises tourists with its unusual beauty.

Over the centuries, water has carved stalactites and stalagmites from rocks, which gave the cave fantastic beauty. The lighting in the cave makes it more mysterious. In the clear water at the bottom of the cave you can see coins from tourists who threw them in the hope of returning to this exciting place. Unusuality gives rise to hard to reach place on donkeys.

Firkas Fortress

For those who love excursions and want to immerse themselves in ancient Greece, it is proposed to visit the main attraction - the Palace of Knossos. The legendary residence of King Minos, son of Zeus Greek mythology. The palace itself was equipped with all amenities, the walls were painted, the remains of all this can still be seen in the ruins. There have been attempts to restore this landmark more than once. Today only part of the structure can be observed.

The ancient city of Gortyna has special significance for all of Greece. Here you can still see the interweaving of different eras. The history of the city is more than six thousand years old. Constant excavations are carried out on its territory, which leads to new discoveries. At a short distance you can see the catacombs.

The fortress of Frangokastello and Spinalonga was built to protect against pirates. Today they have retained their excellent shape and are popular among tourists. The Fortezza fortress also had a defensive character. Worth on high mountain and has an excellent vantage point. The fortress offers a wonderful view. There are historical sights inside the building. You can also visit a huge number of monasteries: Holy Trinity, Preveli, Arkadi, Kera Kardiotissa.

Pay attention! For those who prefer passive relaxation, a huge number of beaches are offered: Balos (located at the confluence of three seas, Elafonisi (famous for its pink sandy beach), Matala (both tourists and locals visit the coast), Preveli, Rethymno and many others. Balos Bay is popular among tourists.

Palm Grove

Palm Grove – National Park Vai Krita. Date palms grow in the square. They occupy 2.5 million square meters and are under state protection. This type of palm tree is listed in the Red Book. The grove was awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union. The palm grove is home to the famous Vai Beach.

It was only thanks to the grove and the famous commercial about Bauni that it gained popularity. In other words, it is called “Bounty Beach Crete”. You can also observe traces of a strong fire in 2010, which practically destroyed the grove, so it is prohibited to light fires and have picnics on the territory of the grove and the beach. The grove amazes with its animal and plant diversity.

Palm Grove

The palm grove attracts tourists very much. Walking along the paths among the palm trees puts people at ease. The grove itself runs along the mouth of an icy river, which flows from the mountains and falls into the sea. You can walk through this entire area, but you need to be prepared for this, since the sand gives way to large stones. There are no hotels near the beach. There is a market, a local restaurant and an observation deck.

Vai Beach

Vai Beach (Crete) is the largest palm beach in Europe. The sand is golden in color, there are paved paths, and the water is crystal clear. Being awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union means that the beach has been certified. The shore is always cleared of debris. The sand is always cleaned. The infrastructure is well developed. For a fee you can purchase umbrellas and sun loungers, take a shower and drink a cup of coffee. Entrance to the beach is free.

The disadvantages include: rocky bottom, prices, no entertainment for children. The nearest hotel is 10 kilometers away, so you need to leave the beach before sunset. The road to the palm-fringed beach of Crete is narrow and dangerous, so to get there faster, you need to leave early. Then you can easily sunbathe due to the large influx of tourists. You can see where the beaches of Vai Crete are located on the map.

Vai Beach Crete

Palm beach in Crete, how to get there

Important! Bounty Beach on the island of Crete is located 28 kilometers from the city of Sitia and 6 from Paleokastro. From Sitia to the beach the road is winding and narrow. You need to be careful. You can easily navigate by following the signs. They are located at every turn, which will not let you go astray.

When leaving Sitia, you can focus on the Toplou Monastery, then turn east and continue the journey for another 8 kilometers. Those who drive a car on their own need serpentine driving skills. There are always a lot of cars during the season, so there is both paid and free parking.

Those who have ever visited a palm grove in Crete are full of emotions and impressions. The place allows you to gain energy and completely relax. Tourists recommend visiting this place and taking into account such nuances as: early arrival at the beach, paid parking, small change needed for amenities, comfortable shoes for walking through the grove, leaving before sunset. You should definitely take a camera and photograph the sights that you encounter at every turn.

The island is a favorite and visited place for tourists. This place is very popular among tourists. Having visited the island, you can immediately visit three famous seas: the Aegean Mediterranean and the Ionian.