Location
Greece
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Pebble
Best season
May to October
About Petrakis Beach (East Tsigounas)
Petrakis beach, also known as East Tsigounas, lies on the south coast of Crete about 1 km east of the village of Lentas (Lendas), 76 km south of Heraklion, at the foot of the steep, barren Asterousia mountains. It is a beach of smooth round pebbles with blue, usually calm water of normal depth, good for snorkelling. Behind it is a tiny hamlet of two or three tavernas with rooms and a few houses; the tavernas put out some umbrellas and sunbeds, but most of the shore is unorganised. Tamarisk trees along the back of the beach give shade, and people have long camped beneath them. The regional guide Cretan Beaches tags Petrakis as nudism friendly and quiet. The whole Lentas coast has had a free-spirited reputation since the hippie era, with nudity common at neighbouring beaches such as Dytikos (Diskos) to the west, and Petrakis is one of the calmer options, seeing few tourists. Nearby are Loutra beach (about 1.2 km), Trafoulas and Lentas' own Elephant beach.
Getting there
From Lentas, take the paved road heading east toward the small local port; the beach and its tavernas are about 1 km from the village. Lentas itself is reached by a winding mountain road from the Messara plain (around 76 km from Heraklion). Parking is informal near the tavernas. Public transport to Lentas is very limited, so a car is the practical option. The pebbles make it unsuitable for wheelchairs.
Amenities
Legal context
Petrakis has no official nudist designation; the regional guide Cretan Beaches lists it as nudism friendly. Greece has no national register of designated nudist beaches; nudity is formally sanctioned only at licensed naturist establishments, but on remote or traditionally nude beaches it is widely tolerated, and police generally act only if someone complains.
Naturism at Petrakis Beach (East Tsigounas) sits under Greece's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: Greece public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 34.9329, 24.9412
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Greece
Frequently asked questions
Is nudity accepted at Petrakis beach?
It is not designated, but the regional guide Cretan Beaches tags it as nudism friendly, as are several beaches around Lentas.
Are there facilities?
Two or three tavernas with rooms behind the beach offer food and some umbrellas; otherwise it is unorganised.
Is there shade?
Yes, tamarisk trees line the back of the beach.
How do I get there?
Drive to Lentas, then take the paved road east toward the small port, about 1 km.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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