Beaches

The closest beach to Joy Villas GG is Anissara beach (1.5 km away) where you can find small sandy beaches with rocky seabed. All beaches are well-organized with umbrellas and sun beds, which are mainly offered for free to the customers of the hotels.

More beaches in Heraklion prefecture that we suggest you to visit are:

- ''Sarantari'' beach (3.3 km): You can find really beautiful beaches with calm water because Cape Sarandaris protects them from the frequent northwest winds. The westernmost beach that you will find here is not actually a beach, but a cement dock from where you can dive. It is located on the west part of the rocky Cape Sarandaris, near the picturesque chapel of St. George Sarandaris. Close to the picturesque chapel, there is a staircase leading to the rock. On the rock, you might see the umbrellas of the nearby hotels. Swimming there is a great experience and the rocky seabed is a very good choice for snorkelling.

- Glaros beach (4 km):  A well-organized with umbrellas and sun beds beach, showers and beach bars.

- Stalida beach (10 km): The beach of Stalida is very well organized with umbrellas, lifeguard, beach volley courts, showers, beach bars, water sports, changing rooms, etc. There is also a small colony of Cretan date palms, one of the few of north Heraklion prefecture.

South Coast:

- Aspes beach: Aspes non organized - magical beach, has dark-colored sand and it is surrounded by almost vertical high cliffs with beautiful caves formed in them. The colors of the sea have a vivid turquoise color, making it one of the most beautiful and scenic beaches of Crete and probably the nicest beach of Heraklion prefecture. It is accessible only by boat.

- Agios Nikitas beach (69.7 km): A most lovely beach, it has small pebbles and deep blue waters. Flanked by red rocks of a volcanic origin, other massive rocks lying here and there on the beach make it a most unusual sight. It is not organized and without any infrastructure whatsoever. The place is also noted for a tiny stand of Theophrastus palms (the native Cretan species), fenced off and near the monastery, it almost looks like an oasis in a desert!

- Matala beach (83 km): It is one of the most popular destinations of Crete and the most famous beach of Heraklion. It is famous for the carved caves in the rocks and the hippies of the ‘70s. The bay is a beautiful 300 m long sandy beach with fine gravel & crystal clear deep water. The beach is well organized with umbrellas, toilets, showers, lifeguard, first aids, beach volley courts, snack bars, water sports, excursion boats, etc.