This coastal tourist development, 15 km from Heraklion, is just to the east of the Vatheiano Kampos. It has many beaches – large and small, with sand and shallow waters, which are affected by the strong north winds that frequently blow.
Access is by the old National road from Heraklion to Malia and Aghios Nikolaos. As you pass through the ribbon development of the settlement, there are some side roads on the left that lead to various different spots on the coast. The sea cannot even be glimpsed from the national road. The space between the road and the shore has been infilled by hotels and shops.
If you lack a car, then there are regular bus services from Heraklion. Most of the beaches are organized – sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, a lifeguard and water-sports.
Another kilometer away are many shops. A great number of hotels of all sorts and some large complexes are to be found easily. Apart from them, there are numerous rooms and apartments available, as well as tavernas, restaurants, cafeterias and bars.
When here, do visit the archaeological site of Nirou Hani – which is just to the west of the Kokkini Hani (the Red Caravanserai). This is a Minoan villa – a two-storied structure perhaps connected with the manufacture and dispersal of religious artefacts: its floruit was in the second palace period around 1600-1450 BC, when it was destroyed by fire.
Further east at Gournes there is the Aquarium of Crete to visit – located on the old American Forces Base at Gournes: built in 2005, it houses one of the largest and most modern sets of aquaria in Europe, with hundreds of species on display, amounting to thousands of individual animals and plants.
Going on along the coast east, the next beach we discover is that of Aposeleme, at the mouth of the river of that name.
