It opened in 2002 and immediately became the talk of the town. The development followed the famously high standards of the Helios Resorts chain (Elounda Beach, Nafplia Palace, etc.), which owns the Grand Resort hotel complex.

The "raw material" was, in any case, good - a picturesque bay with crystal clear waters - but those in charge did not leave it at that: they brought in additional sand, literally covered the beach with beach umbrellas in a variety of colours (red, yellow, blue and white) to avoid any monotonous uniformity, put down wooden pathways - so your beach shoes don't get dusty - and built a wonderful bar on a wooden pier jutting out into the sea. The second pier is expected to be completed this year (it was scheduled for last two years, but will finally be opened to the public this season).

What is unusual about this new 1300 m2 pier is that it will have a swimming pool - yes, that's right, you'll be able to swim in a swimming pool out in the sea! The general feeling is that of being on a cruise ship - that's how well organised everything is.

From the menus attached to the beach umbrellas so that you can order from your recliner without interrupting your sunbathing - to the services provided by the organised spa on the beach, everything suggests a resort rather than a simple organised beach.

And if having a massage at the beach or eating ciabatta with prosciutto without even having to go and fetch it seem a little over the top, let us point out that the package contains some more solid amenities. For instance, the luxurious changing rooms with hot water showers mean that if you have a business appointment after your swim you can leave dressed to the nines, as if you have just left your bathroom at home.

And the sea? Well, it's the real star. The water is superb, the bottom is sandy, and if you head out parallel to the rocky promontory you'll get the feeling you're on an island in Aegean. While swimming you may come across a small cave - a perfect hideaway for couples in love. However, we have to admit that on weekends, when it's crowded, the water isn't always perfectly clear.

The prices are high, but what the heck, these epic productions have to be paid for somehow. Besides the admission charge, you must also allow for the cost of parking. At least they've bothered to provide parking facilities, because there are some organised beaches where you must also factor in the additional cost of a parking ticket...