Beaches

Beaches close to the villas

Panormos

The two main beaches are Limanaki and Limni. Both of them are sandy with clear blue water and ideal for kids, as they are shallow and well protected from winds.  The beaches are organised and equipped with sun beds & umbrellas. Water sports are also available. The harbour beach in front of the village is the port of the area, where the boats tie up, this beach is unorganised.

Bali

Bali has four beaches, which are formed in sandy coves with nice greenish waters. The beaches are almost always calm, since the direction of Bali is western. They all are suitable for children and well organised. Moreover, water is cool because of the several springs that carry fresh water into the sea. Livadi is the first beach you come across as you enter the village and is the largest in the region. It is formed in an open bay, which is more susceptible to winds than the other three. It is very well organised and always crowded, but less scenic than the others. Because of the valley near the beach, it is called Livadi (i.e. meadows). At the east end of Livadi, there are the two separate small beaches of Kouskouras, which are not organised and are never busy. They cannot be accessed from Livadi, but there is a footpath leading to Kouskouras 100m west of Livadi. Continuing, in front of the village centre, there is the enclosed bay of Varkotopos with a beautiful beach with sand and gravel in front, which is very well organised and busy. It is ideal for young children, since the waters are shallow and all the necessary amenities are nearby. Further north, you reach the picturesque port of Bali, which is next to a clean beach. Limani, as it is called, is organised and close to many restaurants and shops. Finally, Karavostasis is the last beach you meet. It is the most beautiful beach of the area. It is much smaller than the other bays, which makes it almost always seem crowded. It's well organised, but less than the rest ones.

Spilies Beach

Spilies or “Tou Maliou to Riaki” (i.e. Maliou stream) is located 7km west of  Panormo, in a quiet area, just a few kilometers east of Skaleta and west of Geropotamos. It is quite unknown to most visitors, though it is very close to the highway that connects Heraklion and Rethymno. It is formed in a small rocky bay with a pebbly beach and crystal clear deep waters, protected by vertical cliffs. Characteristic of the cove are the beautiful cavernous rocks that protect the small beach on the west.

Geropotamos Beach 

Geropotamos is located about 3km west of Panormo. It is named after the homonym river that empties in the east end of the beach. The small beach is sandy and has crystal clear water, which is very cool because of the river, which has water all year round and forms a small lake near the shore. It is slightly organized with umbrellas and a canteen that offers refreshments, coffee, water and some basic food supplies. There is also a luxurious hotel just next to the river. Despite the easy access, it is always quiet and not crowded.