Fodele Beach

Fodele Beach is a quiet pebble beach below the village of Fodele, on the north coast of Crete in Greece, roughly 28 km west of central Heraklion. The village is traditionally linked with the painter El Greco, and a river-fed valley of orange and lemon groves lies behind the coast. The shore is pebbly, and the water is clear and blue in summer, though the stones mean that entry is less comfortable than on the sandy beaches east of Heraklion. The beach is a fairly open stretch exposed to northerly winds, so waves can build on breezy afternoons. The atmosphere is quiet and rural, with a small number of visitors and local families rather than large resort crowds, and no party scene. Facilities are limited compared with the main resort beaches: tavernas provide food, drinks and restrooms for customers, paid sunbeds and umbrellas are available, and parking is available near the shore. Visitors who want organised water sports or beach bars will find them in the larger resorts farther east, while Fodele suits those who prefer a low-key swim combined with a visit to the village and the surrounding valley. Access is by car or taxi in about 35 minutes from Heraklion, with a taxi costing roughly EUR 45-55 (USD 52-63). KTEL buses serve Fodele along the Heraklion-Rethymno corridor (timetables at ktelherlas.gr), and a short transfer or walk may be needed to reach the shore from the bus stop. Water shoes are advisable for the pebbles. The beach works well as part of a western coastal day that also takes in Agia Pelagia and Lygaria, finishing with a meal in a village taverna.