Europe's only natural palm forest — a beach on Crete's east coast fringed by a grove of Phoenix theophrasti, a species unique to Crete and closely related to the date palm. Local legend claims Roman legionaries spread the palms from date pits dropped on their return from conquering Egypt. Arrive early in summer — the combination of palms and turquoise water is genuinely extraordinary and unlike anywhere else in Greece.
Plan your walk around Vai Beach
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