Beaches

Beautiful beaches in the region of Rethymno

Spilies beach

Spilies beach is located 15km east of Rethymnon city, in a quiet area. 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 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. 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.

Preveli beach

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 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.

Kalypso beach

Kalypso Beach Crete is one of the best beaches in Crete, and one of the most unusual.  It’s set in its own secret cove a short drive from the beach village of Plakias Crete. It’s also part of the Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa, one of several Plakias resorts close by.

It’s very different to most Crete beaches because of its incredible setting. It’s a long, narrow sea inlet between a soaring sea cliff on one side and a narrow finger of land on the other. There’s no sand, just rock and water. A bridge links both sides of the inlet – called the ‘Pirate’s Fjord’. This is possibly unique among Greece beaches – you come here to swim, snorkel or soak in the sun from the rocky area above the water.