Alatsolimni beach

500m east to Xerokambos you will find one of the rarest landscapes on East Crete. In the summer you will see a large dried salt lake next to the sea.

You may not get very excited on summer, but if you come here in spring or in winter, you will understand why this is so important; In winter Alatsolimni ( Salt Lake ), as it is called, is flooded with water, forming a small lagoon. Thousands of microorganisms are developed here, making this an ideal refuge for hundreds of migratory birds that stop here waiting for the winds to abate.

You might see herons, hawks, flamingos, etc. In front of the lagoon, stretches a nice sandy beach with shallow water, being ideal for seclusion Indeed, the best time to visit the area is early spring, when the lake is still flooded and the wider area is covered by colorful blossoms.

The area is also called Alykes by locals, due to the saltpans ( alykes means saltpanes ), shaped by the shallow water. The islets Kavali opposite the bay are a suitable habitat for Falco eleonorae l other species of the area are Falco peregrines , Aquila chrysaetos , Hieraaetus fasciatus .

The area is also visited during migration by the vulture Neoprhon percknopterus .