For those who want to beat the crowds, visitors suggest hitting the sand before 2 p.m. Vai Beach is located in the far northeast corner of Crete. The best way to get there is from one of the three ...

Crete – the fifth ... There’s a mountain route via scenic villages Armeni and Ziros, or the winding road from Zakros. Think this idyllic little beach framed by palm trees looks familiar?

But no, it’s one of Crete’s most remarkable beaches. It can be reached via a steep slope down from a monastery that overlooks the beach, standing guard over the way to this verdant paradise.