Vai Beach

The sandy shoreline stretches along a protected bay with rocky outcrops, surrounded by 5,000 naturally occurring Phoenix theophrasti palm trees.

The French School of Athens discovered a Minoan villa within the palm forest during excavations conducted in the early 1950s.

The palm forest became a protected national park in 1985, establishing regulations to preserve indigenous species and maintain the ecological balance.

Visitors find amenities including sun loungers, beach showers, local taverns, and a paid parking area during the summer tourist season.

This location contains the largest natural palm forest in Europe, with trees named after botanist Theophrastus who identified them as a distinct species.

Address: Epar.Od. Monis Toplous - Vai, Toplou 723 00, Greece

Phone: +302843340500

Website: http://cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/east-crete-beaches-lassithi/vai-beach-palm-grove

GPS coordinates: 35.25441,26.26493

Latest update: March 4, 2025 13:16