The beach of Cryssi Akti is found 13 kilometers southern to Aghios Nicolaos at the coastal tourist resort of Istro. It is a beautiful sandy beach with blue-green crystal clear sea, affected by the winds.

If you are at the beach one of the days that the wind is too strong, or the beach is too crowded, or a bit dirty, don’t worry! You may leave the beach for a while to visit the ruins of the ancient city of Istrona (after which it has been named the actual settlement), found on the nearby low hill “Vrokastro”; you may also visit Kalo Chorio and enjoy your coffee or your “tsikoudia” there. If you feel like wandering around you may drive to Aghios Nicolaos (at the North), or Gournia (at the East), or visit the inland area up to the wonderful village Kalamafka, 13 kilometers far from Istro at the Southwest; there are several monuments worth seeing there, both natural monuments and interesting churches.

The summer is full of local feasts: on the 24 th of June in honor of Aghios Ioannis (Klidonas), on the 27 th of July, celebrating Aghios Panteleimon and on the 30 th of July in honor of Aghios Syllas. If you are around on one of these dates, join the locals and enjoy yourself!

Access from Aghios Nicolaos is possible by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes.

Chrissi Akti beach (beach in front of Istron Bay Hotel)
Situated at a distance of 13 kilometers Southern to Aghios Nicolaos, on the main road leading from Aghios Nicolaos to Sitia and Ierapetra, in front of the Istron Bay Hotel, this beach is not very crowded, less protected from the winds blowing in the area.

The beach is well organised, with accommodation facilities, food and drink and swimming and sunbathing facilities. For more choices, the tourist resort of Istros is very close, some 1 kilometer far from the beach, and there you will find any kind of accommodation and several taverns, restaurants, cafes and bars for food, drink and amusement.

Access from Aghios Nicolaos is possible by public bus, running frequently, by taxi and by rented or private car and motorbikes.

Chrissi Akti beach (eastern part of the cove)
Situated at a distance of 13 kilometers Southern to Aghios Nicolaos, on the main road leading from Aghios Nicolaos to Sitia and Ierapetra, at the eastern end of the cove of Chryssi Akti, this beach is pebbly, quiet enough, but not very well protected from the winds blowing in the area.

Not organised at all, the beach does not offer any accommodation, food and swimming facilities. But the tourist resort of Istros is very close, some 1 kilometer far from the beach and there you will find any kind of accommodation and several taverns, restaurants, cafes and bars for food, drink and amusement. What you will enjoy at this beach is calmness and the crystal clear sea.