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Vai Beach, Lasithi

Vai Beach, Lasithi is my favourite beach in Crete.

by Alejandro, España

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

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.

"The whole stay was wonderful and unforgettable, we hope to be able to return there - both to the place and the people we met. The location, atmosphere and character of the house, we felt there like at grandma's on vacation, and at the same time we could feel and taste the truth about beautiful Crete. It is impossible not to mention the unique neighborhood - the Chiona tavern, where we enjoyed all the dishes prepared there."

Check Rates & Availability at Chiona Cottage

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.

"The absolute Cretan hospitality!! We loved everything! Traditional, Cretan decorations, squeaky clean, comfortable, very well equipped kitchen, peaceful just in front of one of the loveliest beaches and very conveniently located to discover eastern Crete. The owner was so kind, making sure our stay is the best possible and very generous offering a delicious basket of local products (honey, olive oil, raki and more). They were even so thoughtful to provide a small step in the bathroom for our toddler. Finally, the property’s tavern has delicious local food and fresh fish. Highly recommend it and hope to be back soon!"

Check Rates & Availability at Grandes Apartments

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.

"Great accommodation with everything you need - ideal for exploring eastern Crete. The apartment itself offers everything you need. The kitchen is fully equipped, the bathroom a bit small but perfectly adequate with shower and washing machine. The living room is very lovingly furnished. The wifi is very good. There are 2 outdoor areas with seating, so you will always find a place with enough shade. The garden is very well maintained you sit in the flower garden."

Check Rates & Availability at Jasmine House

Porto Kaza Studios - a newly built family-run place on top of the hill of Sitia not far from the Venetian Kazarma. Enjoy strolling 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.

"Everything was perfect! The staff was super friendly, the room was comfortable and had everything you needed, the balcony was quite spacious, the pool area was very stylish and the view over the city was stunning. Also the homemade breakfast was very delicious. The staff was very helpful and gave great advice for Sitia, what to do there, where to eat and where the best beaches are. Also they give you an umbrella for the beach for free. We also really loved the little orange cat who visited us everyday."

Check Rates & Availability at Porto Kaza

Looking Around

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 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.

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.