With its shallow, teal-green waters sparkling against the fiery, burnt-orange sand, the Red Sand Beach in Heraklion is magical bay whose location is closely guarded by locals. To get to the beach, which is tucked away behind a hill, you’ll need to scramble up and down some rocks, hike for about 15 minutes, and get through a shepherd’s door (make sure his goats don’t follow you!). You’ll be rewarded with a stunning beach with a smooth bed of fine orange sand to its south, and rocky cliffs filled with hidden caves to its north. At the foot of the cliffs, you’ll see several rocks carved with representations of ancient Minoan and Egyptian sea figures. The beach is also a favourite among locals, who often trek down to the beach for barbeques in the evening.

On a less family-friendly note, the Red Sand Beach is a favourite spot for nudists to go skinny dipping. The beach was popular among Hippies in the 60s and 70s, and is still hosts nudist visitors today – in fact, it is one of the most nudist-friendly beaches in the world. The nudists gather around the northern, rocky part of the beach, so head up towards the rocks if you’re feeling a little frisky and take your once-in-a-lifetime chance to enjoy a skinny dip, without having to worry about getting caught, in the sparkling emerald sea