Karteros beach is located on that part of the bay which begins west of Heraklion airport (some 7 km from the town itself). It is a beach with much sand and shallow waters, which many locals prefer to use for a quick dip.
It is organized in some places, where there are hotels and beach bars with a young clientele. The beach, as is so for all this waterfront, is exposed to the north winds: it has considerable waves when the wind blows. The name of the Karteros comes from the Byzantine general Kraterus who said he landed here when he came to liberate Crete from the Arabs.
