Vai Beach
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Escape the City Plan|Greece🇬🇷|Day 1 Guide to Crete Island
Olivia MaeOlivia Mae
380
This beautiful beach on the eastern tip of Crete is surrounded by Cretan date palm (Phoenix theophrasti) trees, native to Crete, and is named after the Greek word Βάι, meaning palm. The forest area behind the beach is Europe's largest natural palm grove. I can say that it is a beach that you must visit with its blue flag clean sea, soft sand and wonderful view. For those who want to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the region longer, there is also a hiking route from Vai to Palekastro for about four hours. Vai beach, a frequent destination for backpackers in the 1970s, has become a chaotic campground and dump. Thereupon, the local government, which fenced the area and expelled the hippies here, was instrumental in the cleaning of the forest and the beach. Today, only the beach part of the palm forest is open, the rest is closed to the public. It is possible to find all kinds of services on the beach for a fee. Although you cannot enter the palm forest, it is a great pleasure to walk around by watching the trees. Also, according to a Cretan legend, palm trees were formed when Muslim pirates who came here threw the date seeds they ate on the beach. However, the palm trees that grow here are different from the real date palm and their fruits are inedible. For this reason, it is also said that the legend is not true.
Murat YıkılmazMurat Yıkılmaz
60
If this beach was in France or Italy, they would charge 40€ entrance, while it’s free access in Greece - but nobody seems to appreciate it! I read reviews that people complain about 3€ parking (it’s very organized, not a mess like most beaches) or sun beds (60€, 40€, we chose 10€ 3rd row and it was excellent). Let’s think this is probably the best beach in east Crete, it is well kept clean and organised, the north winds go down due to the palm trees, and there is a cafe and restaurant. Not sure why people say there are rocks inside the sea. It’s actually beautiful to go in, clean and turqoise. There are some rocks 3-4 meters from the sand, not at all discouraging. My only comment is with the cafe service, as the ladies could be a bit more professional / welcoming.
Ε SΕ S
10
GO HERE IF: You like a manicured beach with umbrellas and chairs, a café and restaurant, large organized parking and the totally accessible, no long hikes to get to it, easy access kind of beach. The Palm Forest moniker, while technically warrented seems alittle overdone, the palms seem very manicured, less organic in their display at the beach. Its the kind of beach youd see hotels by normally. Very easy walking, very nice water, all the amentities you need if you want a sure winner for a group with all types, older couples or those who are not into hiking or climbing, people looking for bathrooms and food too, and even people who want to do some exploring there is an easy climb to an overlook and an easy cliff hike around to another beach area. Its pretty nice.
Courtney WerthCourtney Werth
50
Nice beach and unique scenery behind it. That's only if you go to the free side of the beach. The beach bar area is a mess, overpriced(around 20 euros for a sunbed/umbrella), and the service is rude for the most part. Also the beach in front of the beach bar is kinda murky probably because of the dozens of people getting squeezed in such a small area. Just pack some snacks and refreshments and go next to it to the free area, it has much cleaner water and you can even find shade under the palm trees, if you're feeling adventurous you can always follow the path to the small beach after the viewpoint which for the most part is empty.
Bill TzinavosBill Tzinavos
00
A beautiful beach, there is a 2,50 Euro charge for parking, But it is worth it for the clean and well maintained beach facilities (WC, showers boardwalks, trash receptacles and changing rooms) If you want to be cheap, there are some free parking areas on the road leading to the beach, and you can walk in. The path way on the south side of the beach, leads to a lookout point with beautiful views of the beach and the Natural Palm Groves. If you continue on the rocky path over the crest of the hill, it will lead to a more secluded beach. (Nice if you want to get away from the kids - at times this was a FKK beach)
David MDavid M
10
Nearby Attractions Of Vai Beach
Vai Palm Forest
Itanos beach
Ancient City Itanos

Vai Palm Forest
4.5
(442)Click for details

Itanos beach
4.6
(133)Click for details

Ancient City Itanos
4.6
(126)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Vai Beach
Palm Beach Vai Restaurant
SeaSide Cafe

Palm Beach Vai Restaurant
4.4
(482)$$
Click for details

SeaSide Cafe
3.0
(56)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Epar.Od. Monis Toplous - Vai, Toplou 723 00, Greece
Map
Phone
+30 2843 340500
Call
Website
cretanbeaches.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(3.7K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
relaxation
family friendly
Description
Vai or more accurately Vaï, Greek for "palm," is a region of east Crete between Cape Sidero and Cape Plaka, just south of the site of ancient Itanus but north of the villages that surround and are part of Palaikastro. Vai does not belong to them nor is it part of any civic unit of the local civic division of Greece.
attractions: Vai Palm Forest, Itanos beach, Ancient City Itanos, restaurants: Palm Beach Vai Restaurant, SeaSide Cafe

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