Ligaria beach
Ligaria is located 21km north west of Heraklion and 1km east of Agia Pelagia. The Bay of Ligaria is enclosed and well protected from the frequent northwest winds blowing in the region. Nearby survives the church of Panagia, that served as the monastery Panagia Ligariani in the past. The region gets its name after the monastery, which in turn gets its name from the beautiful plant “osier” (ligaria in Greek), with the flexible stems and the beautiful flowers, which abounds in the area.
The beach is very beautiful with coarse sand and turquoise calm water, while the small boats create magic scenery. The east part is less protected from the waves and gathers more dirt. Instead, if you go to the west, the water is usually cleaner and sea is flat. Smooth rocks are just near the shore, in the water, except from the west part of Ligaria, where there are some small parts with sand. It is very well organized with umbrellas, sunbeds, water sports, a diving school, beach bars, restaurants and rooms. Especially on weekends, hundreds of locals visit Ligaria; finding a parking place is very difficult then.
If you walk in the path that ascends on the west end of the beach and heads northeast, you will reach the top of the cape that protects Ligaria. Just beside this cape there is a secret tiny beach, Parasfougario with sand and pebbles, but open to the wind. There is a stone path that starts from a house on the edge of the cliff and heads to the beach, but access is not allowed as it's a private property.
