Situated in the coastal area of Ai-Kyrkos (Agios Kyrikos) in the south of Chania, about 71 km from the city, lies the unspoiled beach of Lissos. It is the site of the ancient city of Lissos, which was the seaport of Elyros. Remnants of Elyros can be seen near the present-day village of Rodovani.
To reach this secluded beach, you can either take a boat ride of around 20 minutes or hike for 90 to 120 minutes from Sougia. The path from Sougia passes by the ruins of ancient Lissos. Near the beach, stands the picturesque church of St. Kirikos, celebrated on July 15th. Boats carrying pilgrims arrive here the day before to take part in the ceremony and festivities.
Lissos was a prosperous city in the Hellenistic period until the 9th century when it was destroyed by the Saracens. It was renowned for its thermal baths, or asclepion, visited by people from all over the island for healing. Although the baths were destroyed by an earthquake, you can still observe the remains of the mosaic floors. During your walk in the valley of Lissos, you will come across ancient ruins such as capitals, a Roman cemetery with vaulted graves and the remains of an ancient theatre. Artifacts such as statues and coins discovered in the area are an indication of the city’s prosperity. The main statues are those of the Goddess Hygeia (Health), Asclepius and Pluto which are on display in the Archaeological Museum in Chania. There are also trees providing shade to campers and visitors close to the beach.
