Vai Beach

Greece's only natural palm forest grows down to the sand of Vai — a golden beach on the eastern tip of Crete, with its famous grove of palm trees, the largest in Europe.

About Vai Beach

Vai is one of the most exotic beaches in Europe: a wide curve of golden sand at the easternmost tip of Crete, backed by a genuine palm forest - one of the few naturally occurring palm groves in Europe - of the rare Cretan palm Phoenix theophrasti. Several thousand palms, some of them large and ancient, grow right down to the edge of the sand, giving the beach a tropical feel that is astonishing in the Mediterranean, and the forest has been protected for decades. The beach itself is big and beautiful: fine sand, clear water, and the turquoise of the Libyan Sea, with the rocky headlands of the east coast on either side. Legend links the forest to the soldiers of Alexander the Great or to the Saracens, but whatever its origins, the effect is enchanting. There are basic facilities in season - a café, showers, and sunbeds - and the beach is a popular base for the day, though the eastern end is quieter and more natural. The drive out from Siteia, through the olive groves and wild hills of the Sitia range, is one of the most beautiful on the island, and the road ends dramatically at a headland above the palms. Vai is a one-of-a-kind place - a tropical-looking beach of palms and golden sand on the edge of Europe - and an unmissable stop for anyone exploring the far east of Crete.

Things to book in Vai Beach

Rent a Car and Go Pick up at the airport, drop off when you leave. Find Your Hotel Hotels and stays on Kiwi, alongside flights and cars. Book Your Ride Before You Land Pre-book the airport transfer and it is waiting when you step out. Skip-the-Line Tickets Attractions and events booked ahead, so the queue is not your queue. Tours Small Enough to Remember Sightseeing with a local guide, booked before you arrive. Data Working Before You Land A travel eSIM that is live the moment you clear customs.

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Questions people ask about Vai Beach

Why visit Vai Beach?

Greece's only natural palm forest grows down to the sand of Vai — a golden beach on the eastern tip of Crete, with its famous grove of palm trees, the largest in Europe.