Beaches in West Crete Area

Manovas beach is situated 500 metres to the south of the renowned Seitan Limania beach, close to Cape Akrotiri or Melecha. It is bordered by high cliffs on either side, and is situated in the depths of a ravine, where the Kouroupitos stream enters the ocean. Although aesthetically stunning, it has not been a popular...Read More

Agios Pavlos, meaning Saint Paul in English, is a stunning and secluded beach situated in a picturesque cove on the Peninsula Rodopos. It is 40km northwest of the city of Chania. There are two main ways to get to the beach – by boat from either Ravdoucha or Kissamos, or by driving along a dirt...Read More

Just a short drive from the city of Chania, the small beach of Macherida is situated 14km to the northeast and 1km west of the village Chorafakia, close to the area of Tersanas. It is believed that it is named after the rocky cape located in its northern end, resembling a knife (“machairi” is the...Read More

Located about 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias, Preveli is a renowned beach destination in south Crete. With the Grand River (Megalos Potamos) flowing out of the imposing Kourtaliotikos Gorge and forming a 500m long small lake, the area is home to a large colony of Theophrastus palm trees, giving the region...Read More

Located just 26km east of Chania, Ombros Gialos (or Omprosgialos) is a picturesque beach situated on the east coast of Drapanokefala. Known for its crystal clear waters and rocky shoreline, the beach is a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling. There is a small harbor nearby with a dock, offering swimmers a safe place to...Read More

Located a mere 7km west of Rethymnon, the beach of Kamari is nestled near the village of Gerani, at the exit of Vederi Gorge. The highway connecting Chania and Rethymnon runs along the shore, above the bridge of Gerani, which is adjacent to the beach. Frequented by snorkelers, Kamari’s shore is relatively small and pebbly,...Read More

Located 58km south of Rethymnon city, the peaceful coastal village of Agios Pavlos (St. Paul) is nestled in a secluded bay, making it an ideal spot for a tranquil family holiday. Here, visitors will find a stunning beach with blue-green waters, a rocky seabed, and basic services such as umbrellas, sunbeds, and pedal boats. Additionally,...Read More

Fotinari (or Foteinari) is situated 37km south of Rethymno, between Plakias and Souda beach. This picturesque bay is home to two serene, unspoiled beaches. The rocky sea bed of this area makes it ideal for fishing and snorkeling. Unorganized, these two pebbly beaches are still close enough to restaurants and accommodations. The first beach, Small...Read More

Located 33km south of Rethymnon, near Plakias, is the Pirates’ Fjord. This tiny cove is situated south of Mouri or Karavos Cape and is enclosed by sheer vertical cliffs. The beach is narrow, no more than 2m wide, and composed of sand at the start which then turns into a rocky harbor. It is believed...Read More

Located west of Koutelos beach, Leska beach is a picturesque pebbly beach with sandy patches in certain areas. The name of the beach, which translates to “Steep Place” or “trap” in Cretan dialect, was given due to its steep cliffs that form a small cove in the west. Accessing Leska beach is mainly done by...Read More