At Itanos or Ermoupolis, 8km far from Elia studios area there are 3 beaches. The first is near the road, the second (to the north) and third (to the south) can be reached by a 5 min walk.
The exotic sandy beach of Vai with the unique palm trees forest in Europe is situated at a distance of 7 kilometers eastern to Elia studios. Its name derives from the word vai, meaning palm in Greek. It is quite impossible to describe in words this landscape of unique beauty! Vai beach has fine golden sand and pebbles at its north end. You can leave your car in the car park behind the forest, The beach is fully organised, with sun loungers, straw umbrellas and wooden walkways for easy access.
Maridati Bay and the beach is encircled by impressive cliffs with a beach of pebbles and sand, tempting you to swim in the blue, crystal-clear sea. The distance from Elia Studios is 5km.
Kouremenos Beach and windsurfing spots are just 1km far from Elia Studios: Kouremenos Beach is a windsurfer’s paradise, famous all over Europe.
If you like fresh fish and privacy, then Hiona Beach and the wider area is the ideal place. The taverns at the beach are an excellent choice.
Karoumes Beach is the most remote beach in Eastern Crete , accessible only through the Karoumes gorge.
Kato Zakros Beach: The settlement of Kato (Lower) Zakros can be reached from Pano (Upper) Zakros ( 8 km ), Palekastro/Elia Studios ( 25 km ), and Sitia ( 44 km ).
Xerokambos Beaches: is located in a still fairly untouched region, 48 km from Sitia, 10 km from Zakros and 28 km from Elia Studios.
Windsurfing in Kouremenos : Come to Palekastro in summer to find everything your windsurfer’s heart can possibly desire – especially if you are infected with the surfing virus…
Walk from Elia Studios/Agathias to Skinias and 50min further, to Karoumes Beach. Skinias beach is located on the eastern coast of Crete in one of the most remote and seldom visited parts of the island. In essence, the small bay forms two beaches, with crystal-clear waters that are surrounded by commanding cliffs. The southern side is pebbly, but the northern has coarse sand.
Zakros Gorge Bay: Hike through Zakros Gorge, the most impressive “Valley of the Dead”, down to the beach of Kato Zakros, the site of a prosperous harbour town in the Minoan Era. The Palace of Zakros was built at the outlet of the imposing Gorge of the Deads and is the fourth largest Minoan palace that has been excavated. The region is full with archaeological treasures, and even the name of the gorge of the Deads is taken after the preminoan graves found on its sides. The site is visit able, although most findings are kept in museums of Heraklion, Sitia and Agios Nikolaos.
First we are starting our hike at the beautiful traditional village Chochlakies and after 20 min, we enter the gorge with sparse vegetation and bare rocks, which ends at the beautiful beach of Karoumes. The gorge is about 3.5 km long and has water most of the winter. The route, which is part of the European footpath E4, usually takes 1:30 hours.
Visit the traditional villages of Handras, Ziros, Hamaitoulo, Mitato, Sitanos. This remote area has preserved much of the authentic character of Crete , largely unspoiled by modern civilization…
Karydi traditional village: Drive up the spectacular mountain road to Karydi, an old, now almost abandoned, back country village.
Explore the archaeological site of Itanos-Ermoupolis near the famous palm beaches of Vai, 8km far from Elia Studios.
Visit the historical Monastery Toplou, one of the best preserved monasteries of Crete , with its rich museum of icons…
The museum exhibits many objects and tools used by the older generations from the Turkish Era until ’60s. Some of these are rare folk art samples. Today the visitor gets a complete idea of an authentic Cretan house with all furniture and daily use objects.
Rousolakos archaeological site is located just 600m far from Elia Studios, right next to the beach of Hiona. Here, the archaeologists have discovered an important town of Minoan Crete covering an area of more than 50 acres, which flourished particularly at the end of the Minoan Age till 1450BC.
The Archaeological Museum of Sitia was inaugurated in 1984, a hundred years after the first official excavations in the province by the Italian Archaeological School. The largest and richest set of its exhibits is composed by numerous finds from the Minoan palace of Kato Zakros, some masterpieces of Minoan art. The most famous single object of the collection is the gold and ivory statuette from the Minoan city of Palekastro.
