Rethymnon Beaches

Crete

Beaches in Rethymnon Crete

map of beaches in Rethymnon district

Rethymnon Beach Guide

Check the number next to each beach to locate it on the map of Rethymnon prefecture.

Beaches without a number are located between the previous and the next numbered beach.

- map of the beaches in Rethymnon, Crete-

Beaches along the North Coast of Rethymnon, Crete (from west to the east)

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- click on the thumbnails for larger pictures -

	1. Episkopi beach (Sunbeds+, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +). A few km of sandy beach with several beach cafes. There are parts of the beach with no facilities; the stretch opposite the Episkopi crossroad and extending up until the Petres bridge is such an example.
	2. Gerani beach (Sunbeds-, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +). A cove with a pebbly beach and a tavern in a picturesque setting under the Gerani bridge. Good for snorkelling. Beach Report 1 by Webmaster: Unfortunately in October 2006 we found a lot of garbage in the caves of the Gerani beach. Beach Report 2 by Ruth E: As of June 2008, the Gerani beach is no longer good for snorkeling. There is still a small beach, but it is no longer picturesque, either. There is an access from freeway in process, and it has seriously messed up the beach and the underwater plant/animal community. The primary bay is mostly inhabited by sea urchins. Hopefully things will recover after the road is finished.
	The long beach east of Rethymnon (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +), a 12 km sandy beach that starts from inside the city and it extends to the hotels area to the west until Scaletta. It is usually rather crowded inside Rethymnon but it gets quieter towards the west, past Mysiria and Platanias.
	Geropotamos beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +). It is a sandy and pebbly beach under the Geropotamos bridge, which is on the highway leading from Rethymnon to Iraklion.
Panormo beach secluded beach	3. Panormo or Panormon beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). The sandy beach of the town of Panormon. If you look for a secluded beach, then follow the dirt track past the Marine Grecotel Hotel towards the west. There are a few pebbly coves if you wish to be alone.
	4. Mpali or Bali beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO), about 30 km east of Rethymnon. Four different pebbly and sandy beaches in the protected bay of Mpali.

Beaches along the South coast of Rethymnon, Crete (from west to the east)

rethimo beaches map

*** beaches with no numbers on the map means that they are located between the previous and the next numbered ones.

Rodakino beach Agia Marina	5. Rodakino beaches (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). A couple of pebbly beaches plus a marvelous secluded beach behind the hill at the end of the road. This (second) beach is known as Agia Marina beach and it is clothing optional occasionally. The rocky seabed makes it good for snorkeling. No facilities available on this beach. A dirt track leads to this beach and you may drive to it, but you will need instructions from the locals. Alternatively, walk for 5 minutes over the small hill mentioned before.
Souda beach	Souda of Plakias (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). A nice sandy beach 3 km west of Plakias and definitely less crowded. For snorkelling go close to the rocks.
Plakias beach	Plakias beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). A long sandy beach with its east part clothing optional. panoramic photo of Plakias beach
	6. Damnoni beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). Another nice sandy beach.
Little Amoudi	7. Amoudi and Mikro Amoudi beaches (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO). Two sandy beaches within walking distance from Damnoni. Mikro Ammoudi is a naturists' beach and it is so small that it is almost always packed with people. Amoudi is further down the dirt road, very close to the Mikro Amoudi beach. The name "Amoudi" comes from "amos", which means sand in Greek. Mikro is the greek word for Little.
	Schinaria beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: NO). A sandy beach accessed from Lefkogia village on the road from Plakias to Preveli.
	8. Preveli beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +) by the Preveli river. The famous palm-forest of Preveli is here. An oasis of lush vegetation offers unique moments of relaxation for those willing to walk a little along the river and trying to find a quiet spot. This forest used to be a favourite destination for hippies in the early 70s. People used to live here in huts made of palm leaves till late '80s. There is an easy way and a hard way to access the beach: - the easy way is to get the boat from Plakias or Agia Galini. The boats depart from Plakias at 10:30 and return at 16:00. - the hard way is to use your car and take the road to Preveli Monastery. About 1 mile before the monastery you will see the sign for the parking place. Leave your car there and start walking down the many steep steps that lead to the beach. There are magnificent views along the way and going down is no problem. The problem starts when you have to climb back to your car. Take it slowly and take plenty of short breaks. In about 30 minutes you will be in your car. Read more about the history of Preveli
	Drimiskianos beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +), a sandy beach east of Preveli and very close to it. A dirt track leads to Drimiskianos from the old stone bridge that you will see to your left on your way to Preveli. If you get to Drimiskianos, then you may easily walk the path to Preveli beach. The east part of the beach is clothing optional. The beach is good for snorkelling.
	Kerames beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). Nice pebbly beach preferred by the locals. Good for snorkelling.
	Ligres beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). A long beach with fine pebbly, a tavern and very few rooms for rent. The east part of the beach is clothing optional occasionally.
	9. Akoumia beach (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +). Long beach with fine pebbles. Very few tourists here, mostly locals. Good for snorkelling.
	Triopetra beach (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). A magnificent beach with lovely sunsets. The photo shows the three rocks that give the name to the beach ( Triopetra = Three Rocks)
	- The beach west of Agios Pavlos. If you walk to the east of Triopetra you will discover a long sandy beach with very few people on it. It is a clothing optional beach and it can be also accessed from Agios Pavlos over the sand dunes. There are umbrellas but no other facilities are available.
	10. Agios Pavlos (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +, exposed to wind: +). A wonderful sandy beach, great for snorkeling. If your travel plans do not restrict you, then spend (at least) a couple of days here.
	11. Agios Georgios (Sunbeds -, Restaurant +, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +). A nice pebbly beach accessed by car or by boat from Agia Galini. Good for snorkelling.
	12. Agia Galini beach: 1. the beach between the town and the river (Sunbeds +, Restaurant +, Hotel +-, exposed to wind: NO). A sandy beach that can be quite crowded during July and August. 2. the beach past the river to the east (Sunbeds -, Restaurant -, Hotel -, exposed to wind: +). A long beach with big pebbles and a rocky seabed. It is a clothing optional beach.

NOTES:

- The beaches along the north coast of Crete are usually shallower and the water is slightly warmer.

- The beaches along the south coast are less crowded. You will notice campers on some of them but officially camping is not allowed outside of the approved camp grounds. The police may always ask you to leave.

- The cost for 2 sunbeds and an umbrella is approximately 5-6 €. Using them is optional. In every beach there is usually some (little) free space for visitors who do not wish to use the existing facilities.

- Never forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and plenty of water, especially if you plan to visit some secluded beach along the southern coast.

- People who receive medication should check with their practicioner for potential risks of sunbathing.

- Sea urchins are a threat for your feet at rocky shores. Enter the sea carefully.

- Alcohol and swimming are not compatible.

- Leave nothing on the beach except for footprints.

- Naturism is not officially allowed but it is tolerated in the secluded beaches. Use your judgement whether you may practise naturism or not at a specific beach. If there are other naturists there, then it is unlikely to be a problem. However the situation changes all the time. A beach may be clothing optional during the week but on weekends it may be occupied by locals. Respect their customs and avoid provoking them by practising naturism next to them. It may give cause for serious reactions.

- The effect of summer north winds to the beaches of Crete:

1. along the north coast: North winds create high waves. This may prove dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Be careful and listen to the instructions of lifesavers.

2. along the south coast: North winds here blow from the land to the sea and the sea remains calm but the sand hitting your body makes you feel like someoneis trying to sandblast the skin off your body.

Things change all the time, so your assistance in keeping the Rethymnon beach report up-to-date is valuable. If you want to add a beach or suggest a correction, please contact us.