Chrissi Island Crete

Crete Island in addition to having miles and miles of coastline with beautiful beaches and coves, has small islands that are real pearls to visit.

Today we will talk to you about the wonderful Chrissi Island and let's start first of all by explaining the reason for its name. In reality there are two names attributed to her, the one best known by tourism is Chrissi which in Greek means gold for the color of some parts of its beaches, the other is Gaidouronisi which means island of donkeys, as according to an ancient custom Cretan, he used to take the old donkeys of Ierapetra to die on this uninhabited island in total peace.

Chrissi Island is located about fifteen kilometers south of the town of Ierapetra in the clear waters of the Libyan Sea. A flat island with a surface of six square kilometers where Mother Nature has not really spared herself. Of volcanic origins, it was formed by a strong submarine eruption millions of years ago and today it presents itself with Caribbean beaches of gold, mother-of-pearl and pink sand due to the natural crumbling of the shells, waters with shades ranging from blue to intense turquoise and to the deep blue, a forest of cedars of a rare species ancient of two hundred years that extends for almost a quarter of the island with trees up to ten meters high.

Super protected area, part of the Natura 2000 program, it is completely uninhabited and thanks to all these precautions its ecosystem is well preserved. Forbidden to enter the forest (delimited), souvenirs such as sand or shells and of course you stayed even if someone, however, always respecting the environment, allows himself a night under the stars and with only the sound of the waves.

The sea and beaches are the masters of Chrissi island. Here you will truly feel like you are in a lost place in the middle of the ocean instead of being just a two hour flight from Europe.

Let's start with the most famous Belegrina beach also called Golden Beach and in Greek Chrissi Ammos (Chrissi Ammos means golden sand). It is located on the north side, the opposite side where the visiting boats dock and can be reached with a walk of about ten minutes through a magical juniper forest. It begins with a rocky part and then continues and ends with a coast of white sand with pink shades, bathed by crystalline turquoise waters with a sandy bottom that slopes gently that will literally make you dream. There are limited number of umbrellas and a small kiosk (in Greek Kantina) where you can find something refreshing to drink and quick to munch on. It is strictly forbidden to collect shells and sand. Also avoid sitting on the branches of junipers so as not to break them.

The second best known and most appreciated is Hadzivolakas beach which is located on the west side of Belegrina beach. Little frequented as it is mainly rocky but where nature has expressed its splendor together with cedar trees and junipers with bizarre shapes created by the wind. Small and large sand dunes and large volcanic rocks, one of which is right in the center called Hadzi's Rock. Signs of a Minoan settlement have been found here. Also nearby is a small chapel dedicated to San Nikolaos, the lighthouse and an old salt pan.

In the final part of Hadziovolakas beach we find Avlaki beach. Of sand mixed with pebbles, it is bathed by a clean and blue sea with rocky bottoms. At the end, the second port of Chrissi island and the only house present. Near the house, there is a salt pan and fresh water wells that were once used for crops. There are also ancient tombs, buildings and an old quay that probably belonged to the port of the town in the Minoan period.

We continue with the Katarposopo beach in the most extreme part east of Chrissi. The Mikronissi island faces another small pearl of Crete, another natural wonder that is home to thousands of birds thanks to its tranquility. Divided by a strip of rock, it has a beach of sand mixed with boulders with some juniper trees sculpted by the breeze with a blue sea, clean and not more than five meters deep. The irregular and jagged bottoms are perfect for diving and snorkeling lovers. Heading north a few steps, the hill of Kefala the highest part of the island of Chrissi (31 meters ).

We pass to Vlychadia beach about half a kilometer from the main port on the south side of the island. It can be reached via a dirt road and has a red and black chalk coastline made of sand mixed with pebbles with a rocky bottom and emerald waters of Tuchese. Perfect location for those who want to be isolated, not in the midst of other tourists and on days when the north part is hit by the wind. On one side of the beach a small iconostasis.

In the westernmost part of Chrissi where the small Cape Kendra is located, we find the homonymous beach. A barren place where there is no shade of vegetation but only rock both as a beach and as a backdrop. Usually you visit it when you walk to the lighthouse and the church of Agios Nikolaos.

To the south east we find Vages beach. Quiet and perfect if you want to get away from everything and everyone, it has a large sandy beach with a mainly rocky bottom and a usually calm turquoise sea.

Vougiou Mati beach is the beach where you arrive by boat from Ierapetra. In the southern part of the island where to the west of the pier there is a rocky bay with small caves. To the east, however, a long sandy coast. Much appreciated by visitors when Belegrina is exposed to the wind and rough seas. All around beautiful juniper trees and a delicious tavern where you can eat traditional Cretan and Greek dishes.

Finally, going east of the juniper forest, you will find Fragou Mnima beach. Small and deserted, it has a small salt pan. The bottom is rocky but the sea is always spectacular.

Needless to say, only by sea. The boats leave from Ierapetra and in about fifty minutes of navigation you arrive in Chrissi. There are many agencies that offer excursions. To find out more, we recommend this site http://www.cretandailycruises.com/

Whatever part of Crete you decide to stay for your holidays in Greece 2023, a visit to the island of Chrissi is a must, a small corner of Caribbean-style Eden awaits you in the Mediterranean. Could you ever miss it?