Erimoupolis beach

Erimoupoli, better known as Itanos beach, is a group of three small consecutive bays on the north-east tip of Crete, about 26 km east of Sitia and just north of the famous Vai palm forest, in the Itanos municipal unit of Lasithi. The beaches lie directly beside the ruins of ancient Itanos, whose remains are scattered over the low hills and even run into the sea, so a swim can be combined with a walk around the archaeological site. The asphalt road ends at the middle bay, a sandy beach where cars park almost at the water's edge (in winter a small wetland forms here). North of it is the largest bay, with fine sand, shallow blue-green water and a growing number of visitors as it has become better known. The southern bay, reached by a short path across the ancient settlement, has pale sand, calm water and clusters of Cretan date palms fed by the small Itanos marsh. The sea is usually calm and the setting unspoilt, with no large development. Cretan beach guides describe the area as friendly to nudists and say you may meet some nude bathers here, but it is not a nude beach: expect mostly clothed visitors, and keep nudity discreet and away from people visiting the ruins.