Location
Greece
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
May to October
About Diaskari beach
Diaskari is a long beach in the bay of Makry Gialos on the south-east coast of Crete, about 3 km east of the resort of Makry Gialos in the Sitia area of Lassithi. It faces the Libyan Sea and is backed by tamarisks and low hills. The shore is mostly sand, but the seabed has large flat rocks in places that are slippery underfoot, so care is needed getting in. The water is clear and usually calm. The western end, where the road arrives, is the busiest part and is partly organised: one taverna rents umbrellas and has showers, and there are a few wooden shades with hammocks. Walking east the beach gets quieter, and the eastern end, below the small hill that separates Diaskari from the neighbouring Lagada beach, is where nude bathers gather. On that hill are remains of a Late Minoan settlement, thought to have served as a harbour. The area is popular with free campers, and Lagada beyond the hill continues the same informal nude use.
Getting there
Diaskari lies just off the main south-coast road between Ierapetra and Sitia, about 3 km east of Makry Gialos; the road reaches the western end, where cars park informally near the taverna. From there walk east along the sand for the nude area near the hill. There is no public transport to the beach itself; Makry Gialos, the nearest village, is a 3 km walk or short drive. Access is flat sand, but the slippery rocks in the water make entry awkward for people with limited mobility.
What visitors say
Guides describe Diaskari as a quieter alternative to the main beach at Makry Gialos, with the busiest part near the road and taverna at the west end and more space the further east you walk. Nude bathers keep to the eastern end near the hill and spill over onto Lagada, and free campers are common under the tamarisks. Visitors are warned about the flat underwater rocks, which are slippery. Facilities are limited to one taverna, so bring water for the quieter end.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
Greece has no national list of designated nude beaches; public nudity can in principle be prosecuted under Penal Code article 353 (indecent acts causing public offence), and a 2022 Lifo article notes the law only clearly allows nudity at recognised naturist sites. In practice nude bathing on secluded beaches is tolerated and police usually start with a warning; no local ordinance or enforcement specific to this beach was found (2026).
Naturism at Diaskari beach sits under Greece's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Greece public nudity guide.
Researched 25 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
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Approx. 35.0329, 25.9940
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
Where is the nude part of Diaskari?
At the eastern end, near the small hill with Minoan remains that separates Diaskari from Lagada beach. Walk east from the taverna and parking area at the western end.
Is nudity legal here?
It is not officially designated. Greek law does not clearly allow public nudity, but nude bathing at the quiet eastern end is long established and tolerated.
Are there facilities?
One taverna at the western end rents umbrellas and has showers. The eastern nude section has nothing, so bring water and shade.
Is the water easy to enter?
The beach is sandy, but large flat rocks on the seabed in places are slippery, so water shoes help.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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