In Rethymno, enjoy a stunning sandy beach stretching between the blue sea and the charming city, with untouched exotic shores waiting on the southern coast.
In Rethymno, enjoy a stunning sandy beach stretching between the blue sea and the charming city, with untouched exotic shores waiting on the southern coast.
Spilies or “Tou Maliou to Riaki” (i.e. Maliou stream) is located 15km east of Rethymnon city, in a quiet area, just a few kilometers east of Skaleta and west of Geropotamos.
It is quite unknown to most visitors, though it is very close to the highway that connects Heraklion and Rethymno. It is formed in a small rocky bay with a pebbly beach and crystal clear deep waters, protected by vertical cliffs. Characteristic of the cove are the beautiful cavernous rocks that protect the small beach on the west.
Beyond the west and the east end of the beach, there are several sea caves and rocks with amazing formations. A part of the east caves collapsed in winter 2011–12. These caves are very important for species such as the endangered Mediterranean monk seal.
A great idea is to explore the rocky shores east of the beach and walk to the amazing natural rocky arch of Geropotamos.
(Source: Spilies Beach – Cretan Beaches Guide)
Triopetra is located about 52km south of Rethymno and 13km southeast of the village Akoumia, at the foot of the mountain Siderotas.
It can be accessed by car, through paved roads that start either from Akoumia or Sachtouria. Triopetra lies in the central part of a long beachfront, called Akoumiani Gialia (i.e. Akoumia Beach).
Triopetra consists of two beaches, which are separated by a small peninsula. At the edge of the peninsula, in the sea, three majestic rocks rise. Triopetra is named after these rocks, since it means “Three Rocks”.
(Source: Triopetra Beach – Cretan Beaches Guide)
Ligres is located 51km south of Rethymno and 7km south of the village Kerames, at the foot of the imposing mount of Siderotas.
It is actually the north part of the beachfront called Akoumiani Gialia, starting from Mellissa cape to the south.
Ligres is a vast beach with coarse sand and fantastic deep sea. The relatively tough access has fortunately kept the development of tourism away, making it one of the nicest, tranquil, and most secluded beaches on the island.
The beach is not organized, but there are taverns and a few rooms on the west part of the beach, which can be accessed by car through a bad asphalt road. At the west end of the beach there is a beautiful waterfall having water all year round, which falls next to the sea.
(Source: Ligres Beach – Cretan Beaches Guide)
Preveli is located about 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias.
Beach of Preveli, also known as Lake Preveli or Phoenix, is located at the exit of the imposing Kourtaliotikos Gorge, where the Grand River (Megalos Potamos) flows.
It is certainly the most famous beach in south Crete, accepting thousands of visitors every summer. During the ’60s and ’70s, it was a favorite destination for the hippies. On the banks of the Grand River there is a large colony of Theophrastus palm trees, which give the region a sense of a tropical landscape.
The river, forming a small lake, 500m long before emptying into the sea, has water all year round. You can walk along the river, under the shade of palm trees and other trees, and start ascending in the beautiful canyon. You can swim in the cold ponds formed in the gorge.
(Source: Preveli Beach – Cretan Beaches Guide)
One of the best beaches in central Crete are the breathtaking Melissa Cape Sandhills near Agios Pavlos, at the south end of the vast seafront of Akoumiani Gialia.
The Sandhills are located around 55km south of Rethymnon city and are bounded to the south by the Cape Melissa and to the north by river Akoumianos and Triopetra beach.
The deep sea is very inviting for a swim and it is quite common to see people in various states of beachwear or lack thereof owing to the area’s relative seclusion and privacy offered by the coves around the beaches. The locals also call it Alatsogremi (salt cliffs).