The small coastal village of Lendas is 73 kilometer south east of Heraklion, in the south of Crete. It can be reached via the exit at the village of Agii deka. The route to the village is very pretty, with first views over the Messara plain and than over the sea. The name Lendas derives from the word lion (liondas), because from high up the peninsula looks shaped like a lion. Lendas is an ancient Greek and Roman site, and has Byzantine churches and some excavations that you can visit. It's a cosy little village filled with flowers and bougainville, friendly people, and there are plenty of taverns and a supermarket.

For some people this has become a favourite destination on the island of Crete, because of the intimate town beach (with trees on it case you are looking for shade), the cosy atmosphere and the fact that it still has a feeling of being pretty unaffected by tourism. There's peace and quiet, as good as no traffic and still there is a good choice in taverns. In the evening there is a bit of entertainment but no really wild and crazy night life. This appeals to some people that mark it down as a favourite and want to return whenever they can. The large picturesque and quiet sandy naturist beach (with a few pebbles as well, it is one of the largest beaches on the island where you can swim without your textiles) just outside the village also helps.

Compared to Kali Limenas or Tsoutsouros, both also difficult to reach villages with pretty beaches in the south (not so difficult any more because the roads are now improved), it's more touristy. The town beach in Lendas is rather small but 15 minutes away on the east side you can find a very large, pretty and quiet beach, where there is also a place for the nudists under us (like me ;). It is next to the large pebble beach of Petrakis you find just in the east on the edge of the village. You can reach them over a dirt track. Our only problem was how to find our way back out of the village towards Heraklion, and we were not the only ones. A sign would have been a good plan, because maybe if you visit you end up riding in circles like us and like other people. We finally took a dirt track that took us to the right road that brought us back to where we came from. At a next visit we did not have that problem any more after we paid attention how we drove into the village.

Lendas is the site of the ancient city Lebena / Levin. Although there was an early Minoan site in the area, Lebena flourished mainly during the Greek and Roman period when it was the harbour of Gortyn. There was a famous sanctuary for healing here with a temple of Asklipios from the fourth century B.C. At the site of the sanctuary, which is at the beginning of the modern village, one can see traces of Roman mosaic, Greek coloured pebble mosaic representing a sea horse, columns, and marble steps among other features. On this site a Byzantine church was build using also materials from the sanctuary. It's called the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos. Next to this church you can see the remains of the columns that ones formed the older three-aisled basilica. A little further next to the parking lot there are more remains of buildings and columns.
NB: in 2017 I noticed that the mosaic had disappeared and it looked like some of the columns had fallen down.

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Filoxenia Lendas is located just 100 metres from the beach, and 200 metres from the picturesque Lendas seaside village, in the prefecture of Heraklion. The complex consists of 2 buildings with bright, clean and spacious studio and apartments. They are all air-conditioned and fully equipped with a kitchenette, bathroom with shower and private balcony with magnificent view over the Libyan Sea. The area offers traditional taverns serving Cretan cuisine and fresh fish. The bay of Lendas offers many tranquil, sandy beaches. Free parking is also available.

Check availabilities and prices & book Filoxenia Lentas Studios & Apartments Studios in Lendas - click here.

Situated at the seaside village of Lendas, Pantheon features self-catered studios with balcony and free Wi-Fi access. It is 300 metres away from the beach and offers free private on-site parking. Pantheon Studios are very spacious and well-equipped serving the daily needs of their guests. Each air-conditioned studio includes a fully fitted kitchen with refrigerator and a dining area. They also come with an LCD TV with satellite channels, iron and hair dryer. Studios Pantheon are within walking distance from the beachside fish taverns of Lendas. Pantheon Studios are also conveniently located in the centre of South Crete serving as an ideal base for exploring the beaches and villages of the area.

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Only 70 metres from the beach, Oasis Apartments is a self-catering accommodation located in the coastal village of Lentas, on the south coast of Crete. The property offers a garden. Featuring a balcony with outdoor furnishings, all rooms are air-conditioned. A fully equipped kitchenette with fridge is included. The bathroom comes with a shower and hair dryer. Oasis Apartments is 50 metres from restaurant and 15 metres from the nearest bus stop. A supermarket can be found within 120 metres. The property is 75km south of Heraklio. Heraklion International Airport is 51 km away.

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CasaDoria is located in the south of Crete in the picturesque Lentas village, facing the Lybic Sea. CasaDoria Slowlife Hotel offers basic yet comfortable accommodation, in harmony with the natural environment. The building consists of two-floors hosting air-conditioned rooms with balcony, a restaurant and a large terrace with panoramic views of the Lybic Sea. CasaDoria's restaurant serves lunch and dinner, offering a variety of Italian and Greek cuisine and wine list. CasaDoria provides yoga and reiki sessions with certified instructors upon request. The Bath of Pasiphae, also known as Hammam Beach is located only 5 minutes walk from the casaDoria.

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Featuring an outdoor pool and sun terrace, Gaitani Village offers apartments with a balcony overlooking the sea. Located 300 metres from the beach of Lentas in Crete, the property provides free Wi-Fi throughout. All air-conditioned apartments feature marble floors and a seating area. Each includes a TV with satellite channels and kitchen with oven and fridge. The bathroom comes with a shower and free toiletries. Gaitani Village is 200 metres from restaurants and cafeterias. Heraklion International Airport is 70 km away. The property offers free parking on site.

Check availabilities and prices & book the Gaitani Village Aparthotel in Lendas - click here.

Located on the beach of Lentas in Crete, Gaitani Studios offers apartments with a balcony overlooking the sea. Including a garden and sun terrace, the property features free Wi-Fi throughout. Each air-conditioned apartment includes a seating area and TV with satellite channels. The kitchen comes a fridge and coffee machine. The bathroom features a shower and free toiletries. Gaitani Studios is 200 metres from restaurants and cafeterias and 70 km from Heraklion International Airport. The property offers free parking on site.

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With 2 complexes only a few metres away from each other, Levin Apartments offer sunny and spacious accommodation. Most have balconies or verandas with beautiful views of the Libyan Sea. Levin Apartments combine high quality services with the perfect harmony of the nature. Here you will find a place of tranquillity and relaxation. Levin consists of studios and apartments. They are located 100 meters from the beach and are surrounded by gardens with jasmines and night flowers. Accommodation comes with a refrigerator, a cooker, air conditioning and en suite facilities.

Check availabilities and prices & book the Levin Apartments & Studios in Lendas - click here.

Zahos tavern is situated on the western side of Lendos village on your right hand side as you take the stairs down to the beach. It looks cozy and the service is very nice. We order the sea bass, the swordfish fillet, the Greek salad and half a liter of wine. Although it is not busy (there are two other guests), we have to endlessly wait for our food (45 minutes to an hour) and when it is finally served it is completely burned and some pieces of fish you cannot not even cut an more, because the crusts are that hard.

Our verdict: simply bad: a 4 out of 10