The locals think of them as two separate beaches but it is actually one long beach starting right after the airport. It is quite surreal to swim while an airplane is landing right next to you! The beach is vast and sandy and the water is pretty clean. Some of its parts are well organized, with beach bars and a lot of noise for the younger visitors but the parts that are not organized are more quiet, but also more dirty. It still remains a good alternative for a nearby swim – you can also get there by city bus from Heraklion.
You can also get there by city bus from Heraklion (no. 1). The bus station is opposite Astoria. Usually during the summer, the bus passes every half hour.