Located in the south-east of Heraklion, Keratokambos is a small seaside resort popular with families. This quaint village is situated 72km southeast of the city, a few miles east of Tsoutsouras and Ano Viannos. It is famed for its long sandy beach that stretches for several kilometers in both directions, with the main beach located east of the local harbor. This part of the beach is quite organized, making it a great spot for snorkeling, while the east end of the beach is much calmer and more secluded. The nearby settlement of Kastri has also become a popular tourist destination in recent years.
The name Keratokambos derives from the presence of carob trees in the area, where the locals produced carobs, or comes from the towering steep rock known as Kerato, located north of the village. The area is known for its many gorges and rivers, including the Keratokambitis which flows through the Portela gorge and the Kavousi gorge. Richtra also has a beautiful waterfall that is 10m high and worth visiting in spring. The Bishop’s Jump gorge has a rather interesting story behind its name – according to local legend, a bishop and his horse made an impressive leap from the cliff to avoid being captured by the Turks, with the horse making a huge jump across the gorge and both of them surviving. In gratitude, the bishop built the church of St. George near the gorge.
