Agios Antonios beach
Agios Antonios (St. Anthony) is located 71km south of Heraklion, between the settlement of Agios Ioannis and the Monastery of Koudoumas. The area is very isolated and can be accessed only via a footpath that connects Agios Ioannis with the monastery. The trail passes between pine trees. In the middle of the distance (20'-30') you’ll see from far an impressive cave of shape Δ, in which the small chapel of St. Anthony is built. In the cave, stalactites and stalagmites drop holy water in three troughs. The cave was formerly a hermitage for several monks, among which were the two founders of the monastery Koudoumas, Saint Parthenios and Evmenios.
The surrounding area has several small bays with beautiful beaches, with coarse sand and crystal clear deep waters. The secluded beaches are surrounded by high cliffs and small caves where you can find shade. Difficult access makes this place almost deserted and ideal for privacy, but also for fishing (it can be only accessed by swimming from the sides). The longest beach is called Agios Antonios or Green Beach after the nearby cave of Saint Anthony and the colors of the sea, while the two small coves west of it are called Small (Mikro) Agadiko and Big (Megalo) Agadiko (not directly seen from the trail. You can also visit the small cave of Hostospilios, which is located west of Agios Antonios and very close to Agadiko beaches.
