Fraskia

The bay of Fraskia of Panagia (i.e. Virgin Mary) is located 24km northwest of Heraklion, on the western side of the Gulf of Heraklion. It is located at the exit of a small valley next to the current private settlement of Theseus. The name Fraskia is taken after the Cretan word fraski, that was a type of jar that was used by Cretans as beehive. Indeed, the area is full of thyme, herbs and shrubs, which are ideal for producing honey.

A long part of the coast is full of alternating small coves with sand and rocky seabed, which stretch to the south till the area "The Garden of Priest”, south of which there are some amazing caves. The sea is usually very calm, since it suffers only from the eastern winds, relatively rare in Crete. The seabed is ideal for snorkeling, although it has been over-fished.