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Kedrodasos beach, named for its distinct juniper forest, is a stunning beach located 76km southwest of Chania and just 1km east of the famous Elafonissi lagoon. This beach is dotted with enchanting juniper trees, often confused for cedars, that are beautifully tucked in between sandy dunes. Included species are the twisted Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa and Juniperus phoenicea. Visitors are encouraged to treat these delicate trees with kindness and care.
Covering an impressive area of around 11 hectares, the juniper forest offers a magnificent view. The beach is an ideal spot for swimming and is a favorite among naturists. It features a diverse landscape of white sand and occasional flat, smooth rocks. A lack of nearby amenities emphasizes the secluded allure of Kedrodasos, maintaining it as one of the last untouched havens in Europe. Visitors are encouraged to leave nothing behind, ensuring the beach stays clean and untouched.
Kedrodasos Beach is recognized as a nudist-friendly location, attracting naturists who appreciate the freedom of clothing-optional sunbathing. Its remote and pristine surroundings create an ideal environment for those seeking a more unrestrained and natural beach experience. Visitors will find sections of the beach where they can comfortably embrace nudism in a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere.
Acting as a shield from the regular winds of neighboring Elafonissos, Kedrodasos offers a relatively serene sanctuary. The beach also serves as a stopover for the European E4 trail, with yellow and black markers indicating the way.
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!
Stomio, situated 74km to the south of Chania and 1km to the north of the Chrisoskalitissa monastery, forms part of the broader Elafonissi area. It’s not a favorite spot for tourists due to its rocky and often wavy appearance. The beach features large pebbles and patches of sand, making it a suitable choice for those seeking seclusion, though not ideal for families. The water here is rather cold and the sea deep.
The name ‘Stomio’ translates to ‘mouth’ and can be attributed to the river mouth from the village of Vathi that exits at this point. The river’s water is stored in the local reservoir. The beach is not equipped with any amenities, but there is a small tavern close by. The beach is conveniently accessible as it’s adjacent to the main road that links Chania with Chrisoskalitissa and Elafonissi.
Close to Stomio, one can find the old plaster factory, now deserted. There were attempts to revive the factory in 2010, but local residents objected to the financial lobbies and hindered its reestablishment. Also present is the picturesque chapel of Agii Theodori. Across the bay, a lovely pine grove stretches towards the mountain.
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.
Agia Kyriaki beach, also known as Koundoura, is situated 88km south of Chania, 7km west of Paleochora, and a mere 0.5km west of Grammeno peninsula. The beach gets its alternate name from its location in the Koundoura region. The area’s warm climate is ideal for the growth of greenhouse crops.
The relatively secluded Koundoura beach stretches for 700 meters. Despite its proximity to the greenhouses, it’s not a common spot for swimming due to its obscurity. However, it’s an excellent choice for those seeking solitude. While there are no amenities on the beach itself, Grammeno offers several restaurants, a camping site, and a few accommodations.
Access to the beach is possible by car. From Paleochora, drive west towards Krios until you reach Grammenos peninsula. After about half a kilometer, turn left on the road leading to the sea.
Krios beach, situated approximately 10km west of Paleochora and 90km south of Chania city, lies on the eastern section of Krios Cape. This charming secluded beach spans around 1km and is split into three consecutive bays filled with fine pebbles and coarse sand.
The easternmost bay, the first of the three, is less ideal for swimming owing to its rocky nature, exposure to southern winds, and lack of amenities. The middle bay, despite being the most frequented part of the beach, maintains a tranquil ambiance. It offers a parking spot, a quaint canteen, and umbrellas. The third beach, a mere two-minute walk to the west of Krios, houses a beautiful small cove concealed by a large rock. This cove is a favourite among nudists, as it provides ample privacy. Umbrellas are available here too, and for those reluctant to pay for one, the nearby rocks form small hollows that provide shade.
You can reach Krios by car via Paleochora. Moreover, Krios is adjacent to a section of the E4 European footpath that connects Paleochora with Elafonisi.
The Krios or Viena Lake, situated 10km west of Paleochora and 90km south of Chania, is nestled on the European E4 footpath connecting Paleochora and Elafonissi, approximately 20-30 minutes from Krios beach. The beach is predominantly rocky, interspersed with sandy spots, and shielded by a multitude of rocks, forming a small, enclosed bay that locals refer to as a lake (Limni). The area lacks facilities, and there’s only a solitary tamarisk tree on the beach. The Krios Lake beach is one of the most secluded, undiscovered, yet spectacular beaches in Crete.
You might question why such a rugged beach ranks amongst Crete’s most unique beaches. The true allure of this beach isn’t the beach itself, but its proximity to the ancient city of Viena. Marble columns can be seen scattered on the beach and submerged underwater. The beach and its surroundings are strewn with fragments and sherds of urns and amphorae. It’s believed that Viena was once a Hellenistic/Roman sanctuary, with a temple standing here. The rectangular base is still visible. Rituals involving the pouring of wine to honor a deity might have occurred here before or after extensive sea voyages. Centuries ago, the water was deeper, providing a safe anchorage along the otherwise rocky and unwelcoming coastline.
Situated 70km southeast of Chania and just 500m northwest of the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery, you’ll find Voulolimni – a unique ‘sunken lake’. This is not your typical beach, but rather a natural rocky ‘pool’ that has become a hidden gem for the locals of the Chrysoskalitissa village.
Voulolimni is nestled within a small crater, encircled by rocks, creating a beautiful sea lake. This quaint salt lake is shielded from the strong local winds thanks to its geological formation, with only a small opening connecting it to the open sea. As such, it doubles as a natural harbor for small boats.
Its waters remain calm, boasting an enchanting greenish hue that many swimmers find irresistible. While there are no facilities directly adjacent to the lake, you can find accommodation options and taverns in the nearby Chrysoskalitissa village. This makes Voulolimni a perfect spot for those seeking tranquillity amidst Crete’s natural beauty.
Elafonissi Beach lies at the southwesternmost point of Crete, 72 km (44.7 miles) west of Chania. Elafonissi Beach forms an oblong peninsula split by shallow water, giving the impression of two separate islands. The area falls under Natura 2000 protection, which safeguards sand dunes, sea daffodils, and junipers. Elafonissi Beach shelters rare flora and fauna, including endangered loggerhead sea turtles. Visitors must not remove plants, animals, shells, or sand.
Both sides of the Elafonissi peninsula feature white sand and turquoise water. The sand at Elafonissi Beach appears pink due to crushed shells. The peninsula’s breaking point creates a shallow lagoon less than 1 meter deep, allowing easy crossing and child-friendly swimming.
The eastern side of Elafonissi Beach near the lagoon includes umbrellas, showers, lifeguards, snack bars, and changing rooms. A parking area and a few rental rooms exist nearby. The northern and southern beaches are less crowded and show more intense azure colours. The western tip offers naturist coves for secluded or nude bathing.
Elafonisi is a corner of paradise on the southwestern coast of Crete, included in the top 10 best beaches in the world. To relax on the white and pink sand and swim in the crystal clear sea, guests of Crete come here from all over the island in all possible ways: by car, public transport or as part of an excursion group.
It will take at least 1.5 hours to get from Chania to Elafonisi Beach. Elafonisi is located 72 km (44.7 miles) from Chania city. The best option to travel around Crete is on your own, of course, in a rented car with a navigator. There are two ways to get to the beach by car:
Both roads are paved and equally picturesque. It is difficult to drive past Elafonisi: all the signs that you will meet along the way lead to it.
Chania is connected to Elafonisi by bus. The KTEL bus departs from the city bus station at 9:00 and returns at 16:00. One-way trip takes about 2 hours. The ticket price is approximately 11 euros. This is a more complicated way than by car.
Another option is to book a guided day trip from Chania to Elafonisi Island, with hotel transfers. In this case, you do not have to worry about the difficulties of the road.
From Rethymno to Elafonisi is about a 3.5-4 hour one-way drive. Rethymnon city is located 130 km (80.7 miles) from the famous Elafonisi beach. It is better to leave by car at 5-6 in the morning in order to be in Elafonisi as early as possible. After driving to Chania, you need to keep heading for Kissamos and turn inland or continue along the serpentines along the coast.
There are no direct buses from Rethymnon to Elafonisi. But you can get from the Rethymnon bus station to Chania, spend the night in this city, and in the morning take a bus from Chania to Elafonisi.
You have also the option to book a guided day trip from Rethymnon to Elafonisi Island. The trip starts with a hotel pick-up. After arriving at Elafonisi, you will have 4 hours of relaxing on the beach and swimming in crystal-clear waters. Afterwards, you will have time to enjoy lunch at a local tavern before heading back to Rethymnon.
The road to Elafonisi from Heraklion will be long. This city is much further from the beach than Chania and Rethymno (210 km), so the best option is to plan a two-day trip.
Drive along the National Road towards the west to Chania. Then the path follows the same pattern as if you were leaving from Chania.
Take a bus from Heraklion bus station to Chania. Here you can get out and go for a walk around the picturesque city, spend the night in Chania, and take a bus to Elafonisi in the morning.
And again you have the option to book a guided trip from Heraklion to Elafonisi.
Elafonisi can be reached by sea from Paleochora. Boats leave this village at approximately 10:00 and return at 16:00. Services are provided by both excursion companies and private traders who do not have a set schedule. Due to the fact that it takes as long to get to Paleochora as to Elafonisi, a sea trip will be relevant only for those who are nearby.
Elafonisi Beach holds the status of a specially protected natural site, which prohibits water activities. Food options consist of kiosks and small bars that sell snacks and drinks. Umbrellas and sun loungers are available for a fixed price. Visitors who arrive by car often bring their own umbrellas to avoid the crowded main beach area. Elafonisi lacks natural shade, so sun protection is essential for both adults and children.
Elafonisi Beach suits families with small children. The gentle water entry allows safe swimming, and the shallow depth prevents large waves, even during storms.
Car parking at Elafonissi Beach costs €5. Elafonisi receives heavy tourist traffic during the summer months. Early arrival ensures a more peaceful beach experience.
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.
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