Plaka Beach

From Agios Nikolaos, drive north toward Elounda and continue to the village of Plaka — roughly 12 minutes by car. From Elounda itself it's about 10 minutes. A small village parking area sits near the beach; spaces are a mix of free and paid, but supply is limited in peak season so arrive early. There's no entry fee for the beach itself.

The obvious draw is the short ferry crossing from Plaka's jetty to Spinalonga Island, a Venetian fortress that served as Europe's last active leper colony until 1957 — one of the most historically charged short boat rides in Greece. Back on the mainland side, Minos Boats operates nearby for anyone wanting to explore the gulf by water. Further afield, the submerged ruins of ancient Olous at Elounda Beach are worth the 8km drive for snorkellers, and the Agios Nikolaos Archaeological Museum, 18km away, holds Minoan artefacts including the remarkable Goddess of Myrtos figurine.

Taverna Spinalonga sits just 100 metres from the water and is the natural stop for a post-swim lunch with a fortress view. A couple of other tavernas — including Marias Terverna and Taverne — are within 200 metres, so you're never far from grilled fish and cold Cretan wine. The café Breeze, 300 metres away, works well for a coffee before the morning ferry.

Blue Palace Elounda, about 900 metres from the beach, is the closest upscale option and sits right on the gulf. Mirum Elounda Villas and Royal Marmin Bay are both within a few kilometres for those wanting self-catering or resort-style stays. Elounda Infinity Exclusive Resort and Elounda Orama round out the options further along the coast.

The best shot on this beach is from the shoreline looking directly across the strait at Spinalonga's Venetian walls — golden-hour light in the evening turns the fortress amber against the turquoise water. For a wider composition, the stone fishing jetty gives you a low angle with boats in the foreground and the island centred behind.

Lifeguards are on duty during peak season only, so swim with awareness outside those months. July and August mornings fill up fast with Spinalonga day-trippers — get here before 9am or after 5pm if you want the beach to yourself. Keep the jetty boarding area clear at all times; it's an active ferry departure point and blocking it is both a safety issue and a local rule. Avoid visiting November through February — the Spinalonga ferries don't run in winter and most village facilities close.