Agia Irini is a small remote village located 98km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 11km south of village Ziros.
You can reach the village via dirt tracks starting either from Kalo Horio or from Hametoulo (both 7km long).
The village is the starting point of the rugged gorge Agia Irini that exits in one secluded cove, opposite the small islet Hamili.
The beach is pebbly and has crystal clean blue water.
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Agia Irini Beach Key Information
| Localisation | Southeast Lassithi, Crete |
| Composition de la plage | Pebbles, rocks |
| L'eau | Deep blue, crystal clear |
| Caractéristiques de la plage | Tamarisk trees, cliffs, islet Hamili |
| Aménagements | Natural shade only |
| Célèbre pour | Remote location, gorge access |
| Activités | Swimming, snorkeling, hiking |
| Rôle historique | Traditional fishing area |
| Région environnante | Rocky coastline, gorges |
| Atmosphère | Quiet, isolated |
| Restauration | None on-site |
| Accessibilité | Dirt track, boat, hiking trail |
| Période de visite | May to October |
| Données démographiques | Les amateurs d'aventure, les amoureux de la nature |
Agia Irini Beach Profile
The beach is one of the most remote beaches in Crète, due to its distance from the city centres.
It is surrounded by steep cliffs and sharp rocks.
In order to access the beach, you should either trek in the imposing gorge, or drive in the dirt track starting from the village, or come by boat (from Goudouras or Xerokambos).
There are some tamarisk trees on the beach, making this place ideal for isolation.
There is also a trail that starts from Agia Irini Gorge and ends in Xerokambos harbor.
Agia Irini is located in the Lassithi Prefecture, East Crete, South Crete, Sitia area.
The closest beaches are Amatos beach, Apidi Gorges, Alatsolimni beach et Tihida beach.
Aménagements
The beach is nudism friendly et ideal for snorkeling / spearfishing.
It has tree shade et rock shade.
Le sea water color is deep blue, blue.
Le sand type is pebbles.
Le depth is deep.
Le sea surface is usually calm.
Le crowds are quiet.
Hébergement
Check out the best hotels, villas et apartments in Agia Irini on our partner website.
They often have great deals et discounts, and we recommend checking them out before booking your stay.
You can also find more information on the official Greek tourism website: GNT.
Histoire et importance
Agia Irini is located near the Ancient Ambelos at Xirokambos.
For those interested in history, you can find more in-depth information on the official Lassithi municipality website.
For general information about Crète, visit Region of Crete.
Activités
The beach is perfect for randonnée, plongée en apnée, pêche au harpon.
Le gorge of Agia Irini is actually a set of two parallel canyons that merge shortly before the sea, at the point where the dirt road passes to the beach.
Both canyons are very wild, rocky, with steep slopes and high walls.
Restauration
You can enjoy traditional Greek cuisine in the nearby villages.
Le meilleur pour les voyageurs
Agia Irini is one of the most remote beaches in Crete.
This beach is perfect for nature lovers, hikers, snorkeling enthusiasts, spearfishing fans.
If you are looking for more isolated beaches in the Lassithi region, check out our guide to Plages de Lassithi: Plages de Lassithi.
Visit Cretorama for more information about the island.
Agia Irini Beach Map – Getting There
The gorge of Agia Irini is located in the Lassithi Prefecture and is about 98 km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 11 km south of the village Ziros.
To get to the gorge, follow the dirt tracks from Hametoulo settlement or Kalo Horio.
There are also hiking trails starting from the village and the settlement.
For more information about the region, you can visit the official Region of Crete website.
Distances from Major Cretan Cities
From La Canée, you can reach us in approximately 210 km (130 miles) and with a driving time of about 3 hours.
From Rethymnon, you can reach us in approximately 160 km (99 miles) and with a driving time of about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
From Héraklion, you can reach us in approximately 140 km (87 miles) and with a driving time of about 2 hours.
From Hersonissos, you can reach us in approximately 120 km (75 miles) and with a driving time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
From Malia, you can reach us in approximately 110 km (68 miles) and with a driving time of about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
From Agios Nikolaos, you can reach us in approximately 98 km (61 miles) and with a driving time of about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
From Ierapetra, you can reach us in approximately 30 km (19 miles) and with a driving time of about 40 minutes.
You can also take public transportation (KTEL buses) from La Canée, Rethymnon et Héraklion.
Conseils
As Agia Irini is a remote beach, ensure to carry enough water and food, especially during summer.
There are some tamarisk trees on the beach, providing shade, but not enough.
Check the official Greek tourism website for more travel tips and information.
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Discoveries Around Agia Irini Beach
| Attraction à proximité | Distance | Brief Description |
|---|---|---|
| Amatos Beach | 1.4 km (0.87 miles) | Secluded pebble beach with caves |
| Agia Irini Gorge | 1.6 km (0.99 miles) | Dramatic canyon with hiking trails |
| Tihida Beach | 2.3 km (1.43 miles) | Remote sandy cove, clear waters |
| Mazida Ammos Beach | 2.7 km (1.68 miles) | Long sandy beach, shallow waters |
| Xerokambos Gorge | 2.9 km (1.80 miles) | Natural canyon with unique geology |
| Ancient Ambelos | 3.8 km (2.36 miles) | Historical ruins overlooking coast |
| Livari Beach | 3.9 km (2.42 miles) | Protected bay with tamarisk trees |
| Alogara Cave | 4.0 km (2.49 miles) | Coastal cave with sea access |
| Xerokambos Beach | 4.1 km (2.55 miles) | White sand beach, turquoise waters |
| Heromilia Beach | 4.2 km (2.61 miles) | Small cove with rock formations |
