Kouremenos Beach

Kouremenos bay, next to Palekastro, is definitely the king of windsurfing resorts in Crete and one of the most famous spots in Greece. Here, lovers of surfing and kite-surf will find all they need; strong winds and equipment to rent. A little northern, at the base of Cape Sidero, you will find the most talented athletes of the sport at the secluded beach of Tenta.

Kouremenos Beach is the perfect location for windsurfing: the perfect wind from flat water to bump and jump conditions. Once you visit Kouremenos, the warm sunny weather, the relaxed family atmosphere and the consistent wind will remain etched in your mind forever.

In Kouremenos you don’t have to worry about the wind forecast, it’s windy almost every day. Kouremenos beach is exposed to ‘Meltemi’ winds that are amplified by the ‘thermal’ effect of the hot summer. It is the perfect spot for beginners to speed and freestyle junkies. There is a place for lone soul surfers as well as families. The bay offers a safe environment, with cross-off wind and flat water, and it is close to other surf spots that provide a variety of conditions, depending on your interests.

Kouremenos is unspoiled by mass tourism; it has untouched natural beauty with characteristic Tamarisk trees and unique landscapes. There are also plenty of restaurants in the area where you can try the authentic Cretan cuisine and drink the infamous raki. Kouremenos is easily accessible; the distance from Palekastro Village is only 1,5 km.

Kouremenos is a quiet and relaxing beach even during the high tourist season. At every point you can find spots with sand and pebble, and everywhere dominates the crystal clear waters all over Kouremenos bay.

The main access to the beach is from the asphalt road that leads to the small harbor, but there are several dirt roads connecting the village and the Hiona beach area to the south, at various points with the wider area of Kouremenos. They are streets that pass through olive groves and other arable land, routes suitable for those who want to enjoy nature and quietness by walking.

On the beach there are several trees that offer natural shade, fresh fish taverns, and there are units of rented accommodation that can meet the needs for a comfortable stay.

Facilities-Additional Info

Distance: Heraklion 151km – Sitia 19km – Palekastro 2km

Beach type: Sand, Fine Pebbles, Pebbles

Facilities: Food / water nearby, Windsurfing, Lifeguard, Showers, Blue Flag, Tree Shade

Accessibility: Bus stop 300m away, Paved road

Food-Hotels: Restaurant / Cafe: Yes – Accommodation: Yes

Windsurfing Gallery

Kouremenos Wetland

The Kouremenos wetland is on the beach of the same name in Palekastro, Sitia. Its geographical coordinates are latitude 26.272145, longitude 35.203953, WWF Hellas code KR1004. It lies about 2 km from Palekastro and covers an area of approximately 4 hectares. Kouremenos is a natural coastal wetland, with seasonal saltwater incursion, and remains marshy all year round due to the fact that it lies more or less at sea level.

The wetland is protected, being in a special preservation area and within the limits of the Natura area, code no. GR4320006. It is also protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is included in the Presidential Decree on the Protection of Small Island Wetlands of Greece.

One of the main characteristics is the intense vaporization during the summer months.

As a result the salinity exceeds the sea salinity and creates halophytic vegetation with dominating species Salicornia europea and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Armyrithra). In the same area is the estuary of the Kalogeropotamos (codename Ramsar F), which rises in the mountains of Sitia Municipality and reaches the sea, forming an important wetland that retains its moisture all year round.