East Crete
Vai - Itanos
 Location of Vai & Itanos |
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Vai is famous for its palm forest located
right on the beach. It is the largest palm forest in Crete and these
palms are endemic Cretan palms (Phoenix theophrastii) and were not imported
inadvertently by Saracene pirates eating dates (as some
would like you to believe). This superb beach, discovered by a few
hippies in the 70s became a favourite with long term campers
in the 80s until it got turned into something of a rubbish dump by
their carelessness. A sad but not uncommon story in Crete and elsewhere.
Finally, it was declared a protected area, camping was forbidden,
the beach got fenced off and
entrance only allowed during day time. The beach is free but you
will pay a parking fee if you come by car. Getting there: there is a public bus from Sitia several times a day.
Atmosphere: Vai is one of the main tourist attractions of Crete so the place gets very busy with tour buses as well a many visitors in rented cars. Mass tourism in eastern Crete.
Accommodation: none. The nearest place to stay would be Palekastro.
Restaurants: there is only one taverna in Vai (apart from the beach snack bar) but despite it's monopoly the prices are fair and the food is good. And you have a nice view of the beach.
Beach: The beach of Vai is beautiful but nowadays it is entirely fenced off and covered in beach beds and umbrellas. This certainly reduces its charm, especially when you add the masses of visitors.
Itanos is located only two kilometers
north of Vai and whilst it only has a few palms it has three
pretty beaches and no crowds (altough during the high
season there are times when the beach can get crowded by Vai visitors
escaping the chaos there).
Photos Click to enlarge
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