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Vai Beach, Lasithi

Vai Beach, Lasithi is my favourite beach in Crete.

by Alejandro, España

Vai Beach Crete

Vai beach for me is a tropical paradise nestled in the south east of Crete; a very long way from the pacifico.

I visited Vai with some friends for the first time at the beginning of the winter season on what happened to be a glorious warm day. I was able to see this paradise like very few people have.

Despite it being a beautiful day, we where the only people there. Being winter, of course all the facilities were closed for the season. This only added to the tranquility.

Vai beach for us was like a hidden paradise. The gentle lapping of the crystal waters up against the pale sand. The subtle rustling of the wind in the palm leaves overhead. Vai is the ideal beach setting. We were tired from our journey and we slept for two hours underneath the palm trees. A blissful sleep.

For me, she was reminiscent of my travels to pacific islands such as Vanuatu, yet only hours away from my home in Spain.

Vai has soft white sand, which is so rare in Greece. She has a tranquil forest setting and the natural beauty.

Since, I have returned many times during the summer. While I love Vai with its great cafe bar overlooking the sea and busy with people from all over Greece and the world, for me when I return home I like to always think of Vai as on that day when she was all our very own.

Vai is in the very far south-east of Crete.


Comment by Anastasi of We Love Crete

Yiasas Alejandro,

It's nice to know you enjoyed this in its quieter season, we agree it is a tropical sanctuary in the shoulder seasons.

Whilst Vai is fun during the summer season, it is something else to experience it in the off season. One gets to immerse in the tropical like magic that emanates during quiet time.

We visited once in winter, no-one at all was on the beach. We fell asleep beneath the palm trees, listening to the soft lull of the waves against the sand. We saw a little creature darting out of the forest on the road - we think it was a marten. We missed the last bus and hitched back to the next village. We wouldn't have missed it for the world!

We are glad you have taken with you the essence that is Vai Beach.

Thank you Alejandro for your contribution to We Love Crete.


Vai is in eastern Crete. This long beach has white sand

Vai Beach has full grown palms and crystal clear water


Video

Enjoy our tips in our video about Vai Beach below.




Getting to Vai Beach

To get to Vai Beach, the closest international airport is Heraklion Airport with the code HER.

There is a smaller domestic airport in Sitia with code JSH, and you can fly here from Athens and some other islands in Greece.

From Heraklion, it is possible to take the KTEL local buses to visit Vai Beach, or to take a self-drive holiday with a hire car.

If you are taking the buses, go to Bus Station A by the port in Heraklion and take a bus to Agios Nikolaos, this journey has a duration of 90 minutes and cost of around €8. Then take another bus from Agios Nikolaos to Sitia, this journey is 1 hour and 45 minutes and cost is around €8.30

Then take a third bus from Sitia to Vai, which journey takes around 1 hour and cost is around €4. Be careful as there may not be buses on the weekends.

To drive, take the same route Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos to Sitia to Vai Beach, which is a total of 150 km and you should leave at least 3 if not 4 hours for driving, and this does not include stops and meals and exploring around.



Accommodation Near Vai Beach

As Vai Palm Forest and Beach is a protected area, there is minimal development in the immediate location. Stay away from the beach to preserve the environment and keep it natural.

Stay in the nearby village of Palaikastro which is only 9 km south, or in the town of Sitia which is 25 km west, we show some accommodation options below.

Chiona Cottage sits directly on Chiona beach south of Vai Beach

Chiona Cottage - this cottage is 1 minute walk to the beach as it is situated on the rocky point of Chiona Beach. This 3 bedroom house welcomes 5 guests. A great location just 7 km from Vai Beach.

Grandes Apartments on Kouroumenos Beach south of Vai in Crete

Grandes Apartments - choose a one bedroom apartment that welcomes 4 guests in this traditional guesthouse with its own taverna just a stone's throw from Kouremenos Beach. Another tranquil location only 7 km from Vai Palm Forest and Beach.

Jasmine House in Sitia, eastern Crete

Jasmine House - this private home just on the outside of Sitia offers 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with space for 4 visitors. Enjoy your own secluded garden and courtyard, olive grove, vineyard and vegetable garden as well as a fully-equipped kitchen.  This holiday home is 19 km from Vai Crete.

Porto Kaza Apartments in Sitia, Crete

Porto Kaza Studios - a newly built family-run place on top of the hill of Sitia not far from the Venetian Kazarma. Enjoy stolling down the hill to experience the hubbub of a traditional Greek town with myriad choices of tavernas and cafes by the harbour. This location is a great choice for those travelling by ferry, perhaps on to Karpathos or Rhodes. Porto Kaza is 25 km from Vai Beach.


Looking Around

The Kazarma of Sitia overlooks the bay

Looking around this area you will see the region of Lasithi, with fewer tourists than the rest of Crete, lovely beaches, olive groves and vineyards. Explore the local history.

Left is the Kazarma on the hill of Sitia. This is the old 'Casa de Armas' built by the Venetians during their reign on Crete.

Toplou Monastery - Crete

Toplou Monastery is an active monastery with a profound history interwoven with the political intrigue and rebellion of Crete. A visit to this historic building is not complete without a wine tasting, as the monastery makes a very fine wine.

Economou Winery at Ziros

A visit to the Economou Winery at Ziros just 30 km from Sitia will entrance those who love wide open spaces, idyllic rural settings, fresh air and good wine. Call ahead as the cellar door is not always open.



Getting to Crete

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.


Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.


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We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!

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