Georgioupolis, information on Georgioupolis

Georgioupolis

Georgioupolis is a small seaside town in Chania Prefecture, approximately 38 km southeast of Chania, in West Crete. Georgioupolis is set in a green countryside with a large beach stretching about 1.5 km eastwards.

Georgioupolis is on the border between Rethymno Prefecture to the east and Chania Prefecture to the west, although it belongs to the latter. The area around Georgioupolis is Apokoronas, with its picturesque villages and verdant landscape.

The River Almyros meets the sea at Georgioupolis. Just before the town, it forms a little lake that is home to many birds and animals. The lake is visible from the National Road, as you approach Georgioupolis from Chania.

On entering the town you see many eucalyptus trees, both along the road and in the main square, and a row of cypress trees forming a pretty picture.

Georgioupolis on the map

Satellite image of Georgioupolis, the lake of the River Almyros, the mouth of the river in the harbour, the beach and the mouth of the River Perastikos.

View Georgioupolis on Google maps

How to get to Georgioupolis

From Rethymno to Georgioupolis. Georgioupolis is only 20 kilometres from Rethymno, 15-20 minutes’ drive along the National Road. Don’t be tempted to speed along the long straight stretch from the Episkopi exit to Georgioupolis, as police radar traps are lying in wait to issue fines.

From Heraklion to Georgioupolis the distance is 100 kilometers, about 2 hours’ drive

From Chania to Georgioupolis is 38 kilometres. As you head from Chania to Rethymno, you will see Georgioupolis signposted – it’s a pretty popular tourist destination and you will easily get there in about 20 minutes.

Georgioupolis is 50 kilometres from Chania Airport, and you will need a hire car or a taxi to get there. From Chania and Rethymno, however, there are frequent buses all year round.

The main square of Georgioupolis

The main square of Georgioupolis is one of the most attractive to be found in a Cretan tourist village. The restaurants and tavernas may have their menus advertised on billboards in the usual tourist way, but the chairs and tables they set outside in the summer, in the shade of the eucalypts, invite you to sit in the cool and enjoy your coffee.

Even at times when the beaches are usually packed, you will see people sitting in the square for a coffee – it’s a place with its own lovely atmosphere in the morning.

Georgioupolis is a village of many shops. Take the time to stroll round its narrow streets and you will see many tourist shops and little tavernas. You definitely won’t lack for anything!

The harbour of Georgioupolis

From the square you come to the small harbour of Georgioupolis, five minutes’ walk away down the road lined with eucalyptus trees. The harbour is on the mouth of the River Almyros. There you will see fishing boats and people taking their small boats or inflatables out to fish or swim in the bay of Georgioupolis and off the nearby coast.

The history of Georgioupolis is directly linked to the Almyros, and the village was once even known as Almyroupolis.

On either side of the harbour stretch the beaches of Georgioupolis. Here is the start of the beach road with its cafeterias and restaurants, running east.

At the end of the harbour is a small, decorative lighthouse in the Greek colours of white and blue. The most popular sight in the harbour, however, is the chapel of Agios Nikolaos, set on a manmade rock jetty. It’s worth walking along to take wonderful pictures. Whether the sea is calm or rough with foaming waves, the scenery is amazing.

If you enjoy a stroll, the beach road of Georgioupolis, running all the way along the beach to the large Tropicana centre, makes a great place to walk. If you want a coffee or snack break, there’s always somewhere to sit in one of the many cafés and restaurants lining the road.

Georgioupolis is ideal for…

Georgioupolis is great for everyone, as it has good tourist amenities and lots of shops to suit every visitor.

Holidays in Georgioupolis are ideal for groups of friends, couples and families, and generally anyone in search of quiet holidays without missing out on nightly entertainment in bars and restaurants

In any case, Georgioupolis is ideally placed for exploration and excursions to neighbouring areas of great tourist interest.

Within a radius of 30-50 kilometres you can explore the Apokoronas area, visit Chania to the west and Rethymno to the east, spend the day on the Akrotiri Peninsula with its many beaches and historical monasteries, or travel to southern Crete, Sfakia and Frangokastello.