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Keratides beach, situated approximately 1km west of Paleochora harbour and 79km south of Chania city, is found just past the Azogirianos river and Halikia beach. Characterized by its coarse pebbles and stones, it’s a preferred spot for those seeking tranquility and solitude. Its name, Keratides, is derived from the term for locust or carob trees, ‘keratia’. Nearby, there’s a camping site which attracts most of the beach’s visitors.
While there are numerous remarkable beaches in the vicinity of Paleochora, Keratides doesn’t particularly stand out. Nonetheless, it’s a viable option for those without access to a car or motorbike.
Get directions to Keratides beach
Keratides beach is located in the region of Chania, on the northwestern coast of Crete, Greece.
Yes, Keratides beach is suitable for swimming. The water is clear and calm, making it safe for swimmers of all levels.
No, there are no water sports available at Keratides beach. However, visitors can enjoy snorkeling and fishing.
No, there is no natural shade available at Keratides beach. Visitors are advised to bring their own umbrellas or sunshades.
No, Keratides beach is not accessible for people with disabilities. The Keratides beach has steep stairs and rocky terrain, making it difficult for wheelchair users.
Yes, there is a small parking area available at Keratides beach. However, it can get crowded during peak season.
No, there are no restaurants or cafes near Keratides beach. Visitors are advised to bring their own food and drinks.
Yes, Keratides beach is suitable for families with children. The water is shallow and calm, making it safe for children to swim. However, there are no lifeguards on duty, so parents should keep a close eye on their children.
The water colour of the Keratides beach is blue.
The Keratides beach has pebbles as its sand type.
The Keratides beach has a normal water depth.
The sea surface at the Keratides beach is usually calm.
The Keratides beach is usually quiet.
The Keratides beach has accommodation options, food/water nearby, and a Blue Flag.
The Keratides beach can be accessed via a dirt track.
The Keratides beach is nudism friendly, ideal for snorkeling/spearfishing, and has rock shade.
Find below list of things to do near Keratides beach:
Known for its sandy pink beaches and clear waters, Elafonisi is a stop you won’t want to miss. Located 76km west of Chania, in the South-West tip of Crete, this peninsula forms part of a protected area and is home to the endangered loggerhead sea turtle as well as other rare plants and animals.
The day begins with pick up from specific points in Chania. Travel for about 40-minutes on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. Make a stop in a place with authentic and traditional products for about 15-minutes. At the beach, you’ll have the chance to explore the area on your own. Wander through sand dunes or just enjoy a relaxing swim.
Those traveling with children will enjoy the shallow lagoons, which are perfect for wading and exploring. On your return journey stop iat a traditional tavern in a picturesque village for about an hour. Choose to eat from a number of places to eat at this location (at your own expense). Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to get a picture of the pinkish sand – a color it gets from the millions of crushed shells.
In the mid-afternoon, the bus departs for the return trip to Elafonisi.
On this full-day trip, you’ll travel from Georgioupolis to the southwest corner of Crete and spend a relaxing day on the pink beaches of the small island of Elafonisi.
During the 3-hour drive to the island, you can sit back and relax, admiring the beauty of the lush green landscapes, traditional villages, and a small church built inside a cave along the way. After taking a short break to stop for a drink, you’ll reach your destination, Elafonisi, a picturesque bathing paradise with an island that can be easily reached by foot. The water on the island is shallow, clear and gleams with beautiful shades of blue and green. You’ll have plenty of time to unwind on the beach and to purchase snacks and drinks on the island before returning to Georgioupolis in the evening.
Discover one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on this day trip from Rethymno to Elafonissi. Experience a heaven on earth, with soft white and pink sand, exotic crystal-clear water, and cedar trees that extend down to the coastline. Visit traditional villages like Elos and Kaloudiana.
Get picked up from your hotel area in the morning, then stop for a short break in the traditional village of Elos. Time permitting, enjoy time to have breakfast or a coffee (cost not included). Afterward, depart for Elafonissi.
On the way, see small traditional villages combined with typical Mediterranean scenery. Admire the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge. At Elafonissi, get 4 hours of free time to soak in the sun and enjoy the spectrum of shades of blue that this beach has to offer.
At the end of your tour, stop at the village Kaloudiana, where you can explore the village and have refreshments or food (not included). Later, get driven back to your accommodation in Rethymno.
Experience a very special Tour that leads you to Crete’s most southwestern part on the small island of Elafonisi.
Drive from the north coast to the southwest and enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful nature and picturesque mountain villages to one of Crete’s most beautiful beaches.
Enjoy pure relaxation on exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Jump into the refreshingly cool water and admire the pink shimmering sand in some locations, which has arisen from broken shells.
The small lagoon provides an ideal place for paddling and bathing for children as well. Cross the shallow lagoon and reach the small idyllic island, where you can admire beautiful dunes and the local nature.
Towards the sea, Elafonisi shows a steep rocky ridge, which is the real core of the island. Between the ridge and the coast, the island arose from alluvial deposition over thousands of years. That’s why the island looks like a big sandy desert.
Elafonisi is the nesting site of the sea turtle Caretta Caretta and the last resting place for migratory birds on their flight from Europe to Africa.
Start your day of discovery with a pick-up service. Right after you board your comfortable, air-conditioned bus, you will journey to the southwest corner of Crete to spend a relaxing day on the pink sand beaches on the small island of Elafonisi.
Take in the lush green landscape on the way to the island as you travel through the impressive Topolia Gorge and pass This is an excursion you do not want to miss!
Up to the south-westernmost point of the island, in one of the most spectacular and unexpected locations on the
island, is where we will spend the day.
Elafonisi is a place of exceptional natural beauty, something between an island and a peninsula, as you have to
walk through the sea to reach it.
Once occupied by pirates, today it is a very popular destination for day-trippers who flood there to faraway lagoon,
whilst having a Mediterranean holiday.
Elafonisi is a paradise on earth – a heaven of unparalleled beauty. It is covered with sand dunes, low trees, bushes,
sand lilies and junipers. You can get there on foot from the beach by passing through shallow aquamarine and turquoise
waters. The white and pink sand made of thousands of broken seashells, the limpid blue-green waters, the little coves
and the secluded tiny beaches remind the travelers of a paradise lost.
Take a swim in the warm tropical waters and relax under the hot summer sun!
11:00 Arrival Elafonisi
15:30 Departure from Elafonisi
19:30 Arrival Heraklion
Route: 540 km
Duration: app. 15 hours
Stay Elafonisi: app. 4 ½ hours
Ride in a comfortable coach through small traditional villages and typical Mediterranean scenery. See the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge and have a stop for coffee and refreshments.
Arrive at Elafonissi beach. Here, you have four hours of free time to marvel at the different colors from the soft pink and white sand to the turquoise waters.
As well as exploring the wonders of the beach, discover the small island. This lies just off the shore and you can reach it by strolling through the water. Both the beach and the island are protected wildlife areas of rare beauty and included in the Natura 2000 Protection Programme.
Find below the list of hotels near Keratides beach:
Centrally located in Paleochora, the family-run Manto Studios features a a furnished sun terrace and a snack bar with traditional flavours. It offers free Wi-Fi in all areas and self-catering units with a balcony or patio.
Overlooking the surrounding area, the studios and apartments of Manto have a kitchenette with fridge, cooking hobs and electric kettle. Each air-conditioned unit is equipped with an iron and a TV with satellite and cable channels. The private bathroom is stocked with a hairdryer and free toiletries.
A buffet breakfast, enriched with homemade flavours, is served daily at the snack bar, where guests can also enjoy drinks and light meals. Restaurants, bars and mini markets are within a short walk from the property.
Manto Studios is located 71 km from Chania Town and 76 km from Souda Port. Staff at the front desk can arrange car rental to explore famous places, such as Elafonisi at 48 km and Sougia at 34 km. Free public parking is possible nearby.
The boutique hotel Libyan Princess is situated in Paleochora, also known as the Nymph of the Libyan Sea. It offers superior guest rooms, an outdoor pool, a gym and on-site parking.
The luxuriously appointed guest rooms combine elegance with functionality. Among the many room facilities, guests will find LCD 26’ TVs, safe, minibar and clothes dryer. The bathrooms feature a spa bath and a magnifying mirror. Their private balconies offer views of Paleochora, or the pool and the garden.
Popular snacks, salads, refreshing juices as well as Greek and international wines are served at the pool bar.
The wellness club features a gym and a hot tub. Massages, face and body treatments are also available.
Libyan Princess is located 75km from Chania, on the southwest coast of Crete, in a small peninsula between two scenic gulfs. In a few minutes guests can reach the long sandy beach Pachia Ammos or the pebbled beach Chalikia.
Boasting quiet street views, Enjoy Sunset features accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 400 metres from Halikia Beach. It has mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The 2-bedroom apartment has a living room with a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fully equipped kitchen with oven and microwave, and 1 bathroom with bathrobes. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
Pachia Ammos is 600 metres from the apartment, while Keratídes Beach is 700 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 83 km from Enjoy Sunset.
Featuring free WiFi and air conditioning, Paleochora Apartments is situated in Palaiochóra. Chania Town is 44 km away.
All units have a flat-screen TV and include a terrace and balcony with sea view. There is also a kitchenette, fitted with an oven and fridge. A stovetop and coffee machine are also available. Every unit is equipped with a private bathroom with a bath. Towels and bed linen are featured.
Elafonisi is 14 km from Paleochora Apartments. Chania International Airport is 54 km from the property.
from
€95
/night
Villas Plumeria features pool views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Palaiochóra, 200 metres from Halikia Beach.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and bathrobes. A toaster, a fridge and stovetop are also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Keratídes Beach is 500 metres from Villas Plumeria, while Pachia Ammos is 500 metres away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 83 km from the accommodation.
Rosemary Apartments has garden views, free WiFi and free private parking, situated in Palaiochóra, 400 metres from Pachia Ammos.
The aparthotel provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, satellite flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a fridge and a stovetop, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and a hair dryer. Kitchenware is also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Halikia Beach is 600 metres from Rosemary Apartments, while Keratídes Beach is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 83 km from the accommodation.
from
€99
/night
Find below list of beaches near Keratides beach:
Votsala or Halikia beaches are situated just beyond the western limit of Paleochora harbour, about 79km to the south of Chania city, adjacent to the Kakodiakianos River’s outlet and stretch approximately 1km eastward. Halikia and Pahia Ammos are the primary beaches in the town of Paleohora. Halikia, with its round pebbles, is well maintained and is primarily favored by Greeks over the sandy Pahia Ammos beach. This beach is a popular choice for those who wish to stay near the town and enjoy easy access to all facilities.
Following the Azogirianos River’s exit, the subsequent beach named Keratides beach is formed. This beach is conveniently located next to the Paleochora camping site.
Pahia Ammos (translating to Thick Sand) beach is situated on the western flank of Paleochora, a distance of 79km to the south of the city of Chania. It serves as the primary beach of Paleochora, offering an array of amenities for tourists and is meticulously maintained. Despite its impressive length of nearly 500m, it often appears unoccupied due to its expansive size. With its gentle sandy shore and shallow waters, it’s an ideal spot for children. However, caution is advised during periods of westerly or southerly winds, as they cause substantial waves.
A variety of services are available, including umbrellas, bars, snack bars, water sports gear, showers, and a lifeguard tower. The beach’s western area offers privacy and is frequently chosen by nudists.
The Paleochora Coves are a chain of miniature bays that commence 1.5 km west of Paleochora and stretch 2.5 km westward to Cape Grammenos. These beaches are a complex of adjacent coves with crystal clear waters and magnificent pebbles. The main road, which links Paleochora and Koundoura, is situated alongside the coves, making them less popular with nudists.
Kalamia is the first beach you encounter 700m west of Paleohora, named after the reeds that inhabit the area (Kalamia translates to reeds). The next bay on the east side, 1.5 km west of Paleochora, is Psilos Volakas (Tall Rock), named after a large rock that shields the beach from southern winds. With its lovely small pebbles and lack of natural shade, the rocky seabed behind the large rock is perfect for snorkelling.
Continuing 200m westward from the beach, you’ll discover the secluded cove of Trohalou, a more rugged version of Psilos Volakas with larger pebbles and stones (Trohalou translates to “stony beach”). Although it’s never crowded, it’s one of the best snorkelling spots in the broader Paleochora area.
300m west of Trochalou lies the charming beach of Karavopetra (Ship-Stone in Greek), noted for its large rock that resembles a boat in the center of the beach. Apart from the main beach, a separate little cove can be found on Karavopetra’s western edge. Open to the southern winds, Karavopetra’s coarse sand and pebbles make it an excellent choice for bathing.
Next to Karavopetra, you’ll find Plakaki, a small cove shielded by a short rocky peninsula. This unorganized beach with pebbles is a wonderful spot. With rooms and restaurants nearby, Plakaki is a great option for those not wishing to head back to Paleochora. The beautiful beaches of Grammenos start directly west of Plakaki.
Choosing among these splendid beaches can be challenging, as each one offers something unique. We suggest driving down the road that runs along the shore to see which cove catches your eye!
The Grammeno peninsula is situated at the mouth of the Pelekaniotis river, 85km southward from Chania and 5km to the east of Paleochora. It lies on the route that links Paleochora with Koundoura. The beautiful Alonaki, Votsalo or Gialos beach with its fine and coarse pebbles as well as its crystalline sea stretches from the eastern part of the peninsula, extending eastwards. The unprotected 500m-long beach is prone to waves, with umbrellas provided on its western part for shade, while the eastern part is more serene.
On the western side of the peninsula, you’ll find the stunning Chouma bay. This sandy cove is well-sheltered and faces west. The Grammeno peninsula is home to a significant colony of protected junipers. While these trees provide shade, they are incredibly fragile and hence should be treated with care. It’s strictly forbidden to break branches, given their slow growth rate of only 1cm per year. Visitors are encouraged to use the umbrellas provided on the beach and avoid any contact with the trees.
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