The palm beach of Vai, located in the north-east of Crete, is a unique natural wonder and a favourite destination for tourists from all over the world. Known for its picturesque beauty and the largest natural palm oasis in Europe, Vai offers breathtaking scenery and an idyllic ambience for an unforgettable beach holiday.
The outstanding feature of Vai is its dense cluster of Cretan date palms (Phoenix theophrasti) that stretch along the beach. This palm oasis covers an area of around 250,000 square metres and gives the beach an exotic and almost tropical atmosphere. Legend has it that the palm trees grew from the kernels of dates that Phoenician sailors brought to the beach centuries ago.
Vai was a remote and unknown place for centuries until it was discovered by tourists in the 1970s. In the 1980s, the beach attracted numerous hippies who temporarily populated the area. However, this also led to environmental problems and pollution of the sensitive ecosystem. In order to protect the unique palm grove, Vai was declared a nature reserve in the 1990s and measures were taken to preserve and maintain the natural environment.
Vai beach is a crescent-shaped, fine sandy beach lapped by crystal-clear, turquoise-coloured water. The contrast between the golden sand, the blue sea and the green palm grove creates a breathtaking backdrop that captivates visitors. The beach is well organised and offers amenities such as sun loungers, parasols, showers and several tavernas serving Cretan specialities and refreshing drinks.