Tsifliki beach
Tsifliki settlement is located 13km north of Agios Nikolaos, on the road that connects Elounda to the picturesque village Plaka. The region is covered by olive groves and has wonderful views of the lagoon of Elounda and the former leper colony, the fort of Spinalonga.
The beaches of the area are sandy with some rocks in places and have calm water. The beach known as Dreros after a local hotel is full with tamarisk trees, which are very close to the sea shore. It is very well organized by the local hotel and is ideal for families with children as the sea is calm, the shadow of the trees reaches the beach and offers the basic amenities of an organized beach, with the shops of Plaka and Elounda being in close proximity.
As already mentioned, the name of the most popular beach at Tsifliki is taken after the old name of the hotel, Dreros. However, the name is not accidental as it refers to the ancient Doric town of Dreros, which was built above the current town Neapolis. Dreros was inhabited by Dorians, who arrived in Crete in 1125BC, but also by Eteokrites (indigenous Cretans, descendants of the Minoans). Thus, the former owner of the hotel came from Neapoli and named it Dreros, after the ancient city near his hometown.
