Made, pronounced "Mathvay" is a tiny village by the sea, twenty kilometres from the centre of Heraklion. A few notable people live here year round, most keep summer homes. Made occupies a delightful bay with a small sandy beach. It also serves as anchorage for smaller locally owned boats. On one side of the bay the grand Athina Palace Hotel clings with its pastel coloured cubes, to the cliff-side and its guests swamp the beach in the summer.. Below the hotel is an attractive beach bar, neatly sculpted on and around the rocks. Originally part of neighbouring Lygaria, few people know the name Made if you ask about it in Heraklion. It has a calm and less touristy nature than many similar places so close to the big city. Lygaria - just 5 minutes further also has the useful distinction of being one of the most protected bays in the area - the sea being calm and swimmable most of the year.
 

How to get there - Made

Buses:
No bus goes all the way down to the beach. There are buses from Heraklion to neighbouring Agia Pelagia in the summer, and some of them will go as far as the Athina Palace hotel. Then it's a 5-10 min walk down. Bus station tel. 2810- 245017/019/020. Bus can be taken from the bus stop in front of the Astoria Hotel in Eleftherias square.

By car:
Take the National Road from Heraklion towards Rethymno and after the Pantanassa Bridge and then the Palekastro Bridge look out for a right turn signed to "Made" and also "Paralia Lygarias - Lygaria Beach" - follow the steep winding road down toward the sea and turn right (there is a sign which you need to watch for - see photo right) for Made, the road changes from asphalt to cement. You are in Made - follow the road down to the taverna, market and the sea.