The palm beach of Vai is one of the largest attractions of the Mediterranean island Crete. The endemic palm tree Phoenix Theophrastii forms the largest natural palm forrest in Europe.

For the tourism Vai was discovered at the end of the 1970s by the last Hippies which went away from the hot-spots Matala and Preveli . At the beginning of the 1980s Vai was full of backpacker tourists from the whole world, leading to a mixture of chaotic campground and garbage dump. Officials were reacting rigerous. Vai was enclosed and declared as a protected area. The uniqueforest recovered, the beach became clean.

The palm beach, which belongs to the property of the Monastery Toplou , is the touristic center of East Crete, with thousands and thousands of daily visitors each year. Nearest cities are Palekastro and Sitia.

Weblinks

• East Crete