Tris Ekklisies beach
Treis Ekklisies (i.e. three churches) is a small seaside settlement located 64 km south of Heraklion, in the heart of the wild and barren landscape of Asterousia range. Ever since the asphalted snaky road was constructed from the village of Paranymfi, the settlement is the fastest exit on the southern coastline of Crete starting from Heraklion.
The wider area is one of the most isolated in Crete and hosts some of the most beautiful beaches on the island, many of which are only accessible by boat. However, most visitors swim at the central beach of the settlement, which is quite long and has coarse sand and deep water. The beach is not particularly organized, but in recent years there are rooms for rent, cafes and taverns.
The central beach is defined to the west by the black rock of Bourouni, where the locals dock their boats and next to the stream coming from Ambas gorge. From a distance, Bourouni reminds of a human face, having given rise to various legends about its formation. One of these writes that it is the petrified wife of a sailor who waited for him at this spot for years, but he had drowned.
In about the middle of the beach and offshore is Plakoura, a reef where locals like to swim and stand.
To the east there is the impressive light-colored rock of Kolovrechtis. From Kolovrechtis starts another long beach that ends at Volakas, an impressive rock that has been torn in half. Kolovrechtis is not organized, it is shaded by some tamarisk trees and to its west there are many oleanders watered by a spring of fresh water.
