Alona beach

Alona (also called Krinakia) is a small sandy beach on the remote south-east coast of Crete, just east of the scattered settlement of Xerokambos in the Sitia area of Lasithi. It sits at the mouth of the Katsounaki gorge, whose tall walls you can walk up from the beach, and is backed by sand dunes, which are unusual on this rocky coast. The water is shallow, clear and usually calm, and the rocks at either end are good for snorkelling. Cretan Beaches, the main regional beach guide, tags Alona as nudism friendly and describes it as quiet. Xerokambos as a whole is one of the least developed coastal areas of Crete, far from the main resorts, and its beaches see few visitors even in high summer. There are no facilities at the beach itself: no sunbeds, bar or toilets, and no natural shade apart from what the rocks offer, so bring an umbrella and water. Neighbouring beaches include Potamos to the west (large round pebbles) and the small, hard-to-reach Roussospasma cove about a kilometre east along the rocky shore. Tavernas and rooms are in Xerokambos village.