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By the ancient town of Itanos stretch three exquisite beaches, in an area excellent for relaxation and diving alike. When here, it is certainly worth inspecting the ruins of the city, which was a colony founded by the Phoenicians according to legend and eventually prospered to become a city-state mighty and wealthy, one of the most important in east Crete.
If you are a diving enthusiast, then it is equally worth your while to tarry here: you will find the most part of the ancient city on the amazing sea-bed!
To get here, take the road east from Siteia to Palaikastro, and then branch off north to Vai and Itanos. At the archaeological site, park your car and take one of the small paths that fan out from it, and before long you will arrive at one of the three beaches.
The most southerly of them, it is quiet and without any organization – with fine sand, very clear waters and a few palm trees dotted about.
After leaving your car, take the small path that passes in front of a small fortress there – the beach is south of the fort.
This is right in front of the parking area for the archaeological site: quiet, with sand, clear waters and a number of tamarisks about. Not organized, it is open to the strong winds.
This is the largest and most attractive: still a quiet spot and lacking development, it has sand and green waters. Having left the car in the same parking lot, take the footpath that goes northwards. 10 minutes on foot will bring you to the beach.
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For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
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With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
