Skinias Beach

Skinias beach is located on the eastern coast of Crete in one of the most remote and seldom visited parts of the island. In essence, the small bay forms two beaches, with crystal-clear waters that are surrounded by commanding cliffs. The southern side is pebbly, but the northern has coarse sand. Both are ideal swimming spots for those that prefer a peaceful and relaxing place to unwind. The area in between is framed by rocks, which makes for excellent underwater exploration so don’t forget your snorkeling equipment. To get here from Sitia, you will need to follow the Zakros route, passing through Palaikastro. Then, you will follow a dirt road that starts near Angathia (a smaller settlement a few kilometers east of Palaikastro). After about 3 km, you get to the church of Agios Spyridon. From here, you will have to walk to the beach for about 2 km on foot. The only other option is to hire a small boat from Kato Zakros, the nearest coastal settlement.

The eastern region of Crete island has a variety of cultural and archaeological sites as well as stunning beaches, that you will more likely than not have all to yourself. This is especially true if you are visiting in the offseason, in mid-spring or autumn. South of Skinias, there are more beautiful bays where we find the beaches of Mafromouri and Karoumes. The latter is known as the finish point for the E4 European long-distance path that crosses the island of Crete. From Skinias, you can drive south towards the village of Chochlakies and park your car near the village church. The characteristic E4 signs will lead you through to the gorge of Chochlakies, a pleasant hiking route that takes about 2 hours each way and leads to the beach of Karoumes. This is also a great opportunity to visit Kato Zakros, and if possible hike the Gorge of the Dead, where tombs from the Minoan period have been discovered. For hiking enthusiasts, there is also the option of hiking the coastal path from Kato Zakros north towards Karoumes Beach, but make sure you are adequately prepared with plenty of time.