Situated 36km to the south of Rethymno city, Plakias is a charming tourist haven nestled at the mouth of a fertile valley just beyond the Kouroupa range, where the Kotsifos river meets the sea. It owes much of its popularity to the impressive Gialia beach, stretching for 1.3km from the edge of the town to the east, ending at Cape Mouri. This fully-equipped beach, characterized by its crystal-clear, cool waters, is an ideal location for leisurely walks or cycling along the adjacent road. It features numerous hotels and restaurants, as well as beach essentials such as umbrellas, water sports facilities, beach volley courts, snack bars, changing rooms, and showers.
Paligremnos, the eastern portion of the beach, boasts fine sandy shores and is well-appointed with various amenities close to local accommodation and eateries. Noteworthy are the tall, vertical cliffs nearby that prove to be a magnet for climbing enthusiasts. This spot, also known as “Gonates” (knees), is steeped in local lore; it’s said that the epic hero Digenis knelt here to drink from a local spring. An intriguing phenomenon takes place here every full moon from September to January, as the moon’s reflection on the sheer cliffs draws large squids to the beach, which locals catch with long sticks. A few meters south of Paligremnos, you can also discover tunnels once used for transporting coal to waiting cargo ships.
Situated 37km south of Rethymno, nestled between Plakias and Souda’s beach, Fotinari (also known as Foteinari) offers two serene beaches resting in a compact bay rich with vegetation. The rocky seabed provides a perfect spot for fishing and snorkelling activities.
These adjoining pebbly beaches lack organisation, however, you can easily find accommodation and dining options nearby. As you approach from Plakias, heading towards Souda beach, the first beach you’ll encounter is the Small Fotinari, also referred to as Fotinaraki, due to its smaller size compared to the following beach, the Big Fotinari.
Both beaches are conveniently located near the main road, which runs directly over them. Two brief stone paths cut through a pair of small woods, leading straight to the beach. Additionally, Big Fotinari offers shade beneath the towering rocks that surround it.
Souda is nestled 41km to the southwest of Rethymno city, and a mere 3km east from the bustling resort of Plakias. Don’t mistake it for Souda Bay, the natural harbour of Chania city. It is, in fact, the final beach along the Plakias seafront, known as Yialia, commencing at Shinaria many kilometers away. Situated at the mouth of a verdant valley, Souda is crisscrossed by the Finikas river, which flows all year round. Cretan palm trees of Theophrastus, native to the area, flourish along the river and numerous other locations, establishing Souda as a significant refuge for the species.
In the midst of this stunning landscape, a sandy beach stretches out, adored by all who visit. However, this affection can quickly turn to annoyance when the northern winds whip up the sand, blasting unsuspecting swimmers. The landscape today bears no resemblance to the secluded paradise of the 90s, where a narrow dirt path led to a rocky shoreline and a sparsely populated nudist beach. While nudists still frequent the area, they no longer enjoy the same level of comfort. The beach is now more accessible with paved roads, organized facilities, umbrellas, and showers. There are several taverns and accommodations nearby. The rocky beach edges offer ideal conditions for fishing and snorkeling. A few benches can be found above the eastern rocks on the main road, offering panoramic views of the South Cretan Sea.
Perkins is a remote and dry area of southern Crete, nestled between the villages of Rodakino and Plakias, 43km to the south of Rethymno. This harsh terrain is dotted with a handful of secluded beaches, accessible either by boat or via the off-road route linking Souda beach to Korakas beach. From east to west, the beaches include Kokkinos Volakas, Stavri, Filadelfi, Parahoristra, Agios Antonios, Hohlakas, and Klimata.
The primary beach in Pefkias is located near the Souda bay and is known as Kokkinos Volakas (Red rock), named for the reddish rock found at its eastern end. A small beach alongside the rock houses a tiny cave and a small cluster of Cretan Date Palms, which originated from the neighboring Souda palm grove. The beach is pebbly and rocky, making it a perfect spot for fishing and snorkeling. Also, due to the lack of natural shade and minimal visitors, it is an ideal location for nudists.
To the east lies the smaller beach of Stavri, which is equally isolated and deserted. Visitors are unlikely to encounter anything or anyone else here. Like Kokkinos Volakas, Stavri can also be reached via the same off-road path connecting Souda to Rodakino.
Situated 35km south of Rethymnon and 5km east of Plakias on Crete island, Damnoni beach is a well-known tourist destination. The resort is fully developed and well-structured, featuring a wide bay with turquoise waters and coarse, whitish sand. Visitors can enjoy numerous facilities including umbrellas, snack bars, showers, changing rooms, and water sports. Additionally, there’s a scuba diving centre, top-notch hotels, restaurants, and a horse-riding centre.
The westernmost part of the beach, which is highly organized, is home to a small river that maintains water nearly all year round. The eastern end of the beach is more serene and connects to the neighbouring Ammoudakii beaches via a short unpaved road. Beyond the western end of the beach, you’ll find several secluded small coves with sand and rocks, located right next to the area’s small harbour.
Kalypso Beach is a small, steep-cliffed cove on the southern coast of Crete, 34 kilometres (21 miles) south of Rethymno, between Plakias and Preveli Beach. The beach sits at the foot of narrow rock passages that drop into deep, calm, deep-blue water, which makes it better suited to confident swimmers, snorkellers and divers than to paddling toddlers. Access is free on foot through the Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa, a paved road reaches the site, and the Kalypso Dive Center runs guided tours and equipment rentals on the shore. Locals also call it Pirates’ Fjord Beach, because the sheltered inlet worked as a pirate hideout during the Byzantine era.
If you want the short version: come for the scenery, the diving and the cliff jumping, rent a sunbed for the day, and drive rather than rely on buses.
Kalypso Beach is a narrow fjord-like cove framed by towering cliffs on Crete’s Libyan Sea coast. Kalypso Beach reads more as a rocky swimming spot than a wide sandy resort beach, with rocks in places along the shoreline and sudden drop-offs a step or two from the water’s edge. The sea here is deep blue, the surface is usually calm, and crowds stay at normal levels rather than the crush you find at Crete’s headline beaches.
The setting is the draw. Steep cliffs, narrow passages and deep water give the cove a dramatic, enclosed feel and a genuinely distinctive geological shape, which is why it also carries the “Pirates’ Fjord” name. The same cliffs that make it photogenic are the reason it demands a little care in the water.
Reach Kalypso Beach most easily by car or taxi, because the cove sits off the main tourist routes near Plakias with no direct public transport to the shore. Drivers reach Kalypso Beach from Rethymno in about 45 minutes. The beach lies 97 kilometres (60 miles) from Chania International Airport and 115 kilometres (71 miles) from Heraklion Airport, and a paved road runs to the site.
Access to the beach itself is free of charge and on foot through the neighbouring hotel. The Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa provides direct beach access, a pool and spa facilities, and hotel guests receive free use of the beach sunbeds.
You have three practical ways to arrive:
Yes, renting a car is the most practical way to visit Kalypso Beach, since the cove lies near Plakias with no direct public transport. Renting a car also removes the reliance on rigid bus timetables and lets you fold gorges, villages and other beaches into the same day trip. Narrow roads and limited signage lead to the site, so a compact model that handles tight bends on mountainous terrain suits the drive better than a large vehicle. Standard requirements across major and local agencies include a valid driver’s licence and a minimum age of 21. Travellers arriving through Heraklion or Chania airports often pick up a vehicle on arrival to keep their schedule flexible, and renting a car in Crete simplifies exactly this kind of multi-stop coastal trip.
Kalypso Beach offers a modest but useful set of facilities for a small cove. The beach has sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, with a set of two beds plus an umbrella costing €10 ($11, £9), while hotel guests use the sunbeds for free. Food and water are available nearby, and the adjacent resort covers accommodation, an on-site restaurant, and spa and pool facilities.
The core facilities are:
Dogs are allowed at Kalypso Beach. Fishing is not, the beach falls within a natural park, so fishing is prohibited.
Snorkelling and scuba diving are the standout activities at Kalypso Beach, thanks to clear, deep water and a rich underwater world. The marine life here includes fish, sea turtles and other sea creatures, and there are underwater caves to explore along the rocky shore. The Kalypso Dive Center provides guided tours and equipment rentals for both snorkelling and diving.
The calm, clear water also makes plain swimming rewarding, provided you are comfortable out of your depth. The water is deep close in, so this is a swimmers’ beach rather than a toddler-friendly shallows.
Cliff jumping is the beach’s signature adventure, with jumps of up to 10 metres from the cliffs into the deep water below. Cliff jumping rewards confident, careful visitors, and it calls for the same caution near the rocks that the deep water demands. The surrounding cliffs and coastline also open up several hiking trails with views over the cove and the sea, and a 25-minute hike leads from Kalypso Beach to neighbouring Damnoni Beach. Biking is possible in the wider area too, which rounds out a spot that mixes adventure, relaxation and exploration.
Visit Kalypso Beach between June and September for the warmest, most reliable swimming conditions. During these months the sea temperature runs a pleasant 23°C (73.4°F) to 25.5°C (77.9°F), ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving. May and October stay comfortable for slightly cooler swims, with sea temperatures between 19°C (66.2°F) and 22.5°C (72.5°F). Across the wider May-to-October window the climate is warm with minimal rainfall.
Kalypso Beach suits confident swimmers, snorkellers, divers and adventure-minded travellers more than families with young children. The beach welcomes families, but it fits older children who swim strongly, because the shoreline is rocky and the drop-offs are sudden. Parents of younger children usually have an easier day at shallower beaches such as Damnoni and Plakias, which offer gentler, safer water. Anyone who supervises children closely and keeps clear of the cliffs can enjoy the cove safely.
Kalypso Beach sits within easy reach of several notable beaches, gorges and villages. Kalypso Beach works well as one stop on a longer south-coast day, and the following places are the closest highlights:
The nearest dining sits in Plakias village and near Damnoni Beach, a short drive from the cove. These tavernas lean on Greek and Cretan cooking and same-day seafood:
The closest places to stay cluster around Kalypso Beach, Damnoni and Plakias, from the beachfront resort next door to family hotels a few kilometres away. Rates below reflect the nightly ranges published by each property:
Plan Kalypso Beach around its deep water, rocky shore and off-route location. Keep these points in mind:
Yes, Kalypso Beach is worth visiting for its scenery and water activities. The narrow cove sits below towering cliffs above crystal-clear water, and it offers snorkelling, scuba diving, cliff jumping and sunbathing, along with rocky shores and underwater caves to explore.
Yes, Kalypso Beach is a safe, well-maintained beach. Lifeguards are present during peak season to watch swimmers, and visitors stay safe by taking care near the rocky cliffs and during cliff jumping.
Yes, both children and pets are allowed at Kalypso Beach. The beach has a rocky shoreline and sudden drop-offs, so parents supervise children closely, and the cove best fits families with older children who swim strongly. Families with younger children often prefer the shallower water at Plakias and Damnoni beaches.
Yes, Kalypso Beach is suitable for swimming in its calm, clear, deep water. Swimmers stay aware of the rocks and drop-offs and keep an eye on conditions before heading out.
No, fishing is prohibited at Kalypso Beach because the beach lies within a natural park.
The water at Kalypso Beach is deep blue, calm and deep close to shore. The seabed is rocky in places, and the clear conditions make the cove a strong choice for snorkelling and diving.
Access Kalypso Beach on foot via a paved road through the Kalypso Cretan Village Resort & Spa, free of charge. Drivers and taxis reach the resort directly, while bus travellers connect through Rethymno and Plakias.
Ammoudi beaches are located 32 kilometers south of Rethymno and 5 kilometers east of Plakias village. Ammoudi beaches are accessible via a paved road from the village of Lefkogia. This road leads you directly to the first beach, Ammoudi, recognizable by its distinctive green slippery rock. Ammoudi beach has a slight organization, with available amenities such as umbrellas, nearby taverns and rooms, and even a scuba diving centre. Ammoudi Beach offers white sand, rocky seabed, and bright green waters, making it ideal for diving and snorkelling. There’s also the option to find shade and camp under the many tamarisk trees located next to the beach.
Heading west from Ammoudi, a dirt road begins that will take you towards Damnoni, passing by towering cliffs and impressive rocks. Just 200m west of Ammoudi, along this dirt road, you’ll discover a parking plateau that offers an unrestricted view of Damnoni. Here, you’ll see an enchanting miniature sandy beach, featuring turquoise waters and a unique rock in the sea. Known as Klisidi, this beach is an attractive choice when not crowded, though this is rare during peak season.
Adjacent to Klisidi, you’ll encounter the stunning nudist beach of Small Ammoudi or Ammoudaki. This small beach is popular among nudists for its turquoise waters and exceptional white coarse sand. It also has a small canteen offering umbrellas and sunbeds. On the beach’s west side, you can swim in a marine cave, where the sunlight turns the water a vibrant blue. You can easily walk on the sandy seabed. There’s also an underwater hole connecting Ammoudaki with Klisidi, allowing you to travel between the two beaches with just a dive. If you wish to reach the Ammoudi beaches on foot, simply walk east of Damnoni until you reach Ammoudaki.
Located 33km south of Rethymno and 3km south of the village of Lefkogia on Crete Island, you’ll find the small, serene beach of Skinaria (or Shinaria). The beach is situated in the eastern part of the broader Plakias area. Skinaria boasts soft, grey-beige sand and fine pebbles, complemented by the crystal blue depths of the sea. The sea bed is primarily rocky, though the northern part of the beach features sandy terrain.
The area is teeming with life, both terrestrial and marine. Freshwater ponds dot the beach, fed by springs from the Kouroupa mountain. These ponds have fostered lush vegetation around them, giving the area a tropical landscape feel. The local inhabitants claim that the marine life is as vibrant as the terrestrial, and indeed, Skinaria’s seabed is one of the richest on the island. It is home to an abundance of marine creatures, including huge morays, blackfish, and octopuses. Furthermore, the water’s clarity is remarkable, often exceeding 40m horizontally, making it a popular spot for scuba diving centres in Crete.
The beach offers minimal organization, with a local tavern providing a few umbrellas and refreshments. On our last visit, umbrellas and sunbeds were complimentary with a refreshment purchase. Access to the beach is via a narrow, 2km road that begins in Lefkogia. Along the way, an awe-inspiring cylindrical cave can be spotted within a rock on your left.
Klimata, known for its vines, is a 45km journey south from the city of Rethymno, situated next to the popular Korakas beach, close to Rodakino village. Korakas and Klimata are divided by a brief, rocky cape. Klimata is a petite bay consisting of three sequential beaches. Rodakino’s small harbour is found on the bay’s west side, reachable via a cement-paved path that starts from Korakas. From here, the first beach is easily accessible, positioned just beside the harbour. To get to the other two beaches, one can either walk through the first beach or take the dust road that links Korakas to Souda beach in Plakias.
Klimata is not organised in any way, with only Korakas beach being so. All three beaches are known for their fine pebbles and transparent waters. In certain areas, the rocky sea floor is ideal for snorkelling. It’s likely that these beaches will be deserted, except for a handful of privacy enthusiasts or naturists. Klimata, meaning vines, is named after the vineyards that were once grown on the nearby slopes.
Situated 45km southeast of the city of Rethymno, right on the edge of the steep Rodakino canyon that cuts through the Kryoneritis mountain, is the village of Rodakino. The village is nestled between the resort of Plakias to the west and Fragokastelo to the east. Rodakino, a traditional Cretan village, spreads on both sides of the gorge, creating two distinct settlements known as Kato and Ano Rodakino. From the village, one can enjoy the stunning views of the azure South Cretan Sea. The village derives its name, which translates to ‘peach’ in Greek, from a peach tree that managed to grow in the region’s arid climate. Some locals, however, believe the gorge was originally named Rikinthos, which over time morphed into Rodakino.
A few kilometres south of the village, where the canyon’s torrent meets the sea, lie several serene beaches. To reach them, one must follow the road leading to Korakas beach. Despite being blessed with an extensive beachfront, Rodakino has managed to preserve its traditional charm and tranquillity. The first beach you encounter at the end of the dry river is the Korakas beach, named after the Greek word for ‘crow’. It boasts of a long coastline with fine greyish pebbles and crystal-clear waters. There are a few amenities like umbrellas, taverns and rooms for rent. On the eastern end of the beach, there are hollowed-out rocks that locals believe once resembled a crow’s beak before being eroded by the sea and salt.
In the vicinity of Ano Rodakino, you’ll find the age-old churches of the Assumption, Transfiguration and Saint Panteleimon. Kato Rodakino is home to the old churches of St. George, Prophet Elijah and St. Anthony. Adventure seekers can follow the E4 trail to the summit of Kryoneritis Mount and then descend to Alones. At the peak, you’ll find the Church of the Holy Spirit, where a grand festival is held annually. According to local folklore, a shepherd discovered an icon of the Holy Spirit in a hole near the chapel, guided by the light of the Holy Spirit. The icon would mysteriously disappear when taken home and reappear at the same spot. This story led to the construction of the church. Moreover, the first flag of the Revolution was unfurled at the Kourkoulos site on May 24, 1821, by Melchizedek Tsouderos, the abbot of the Preveli monastery.
During the Cretan revolution of 1866, Korakas bay played a significant role as a landing spot for Greek cruisers unloading munitions, which were stored in the nearby Skotini cave. It was also the site where the famed steamship “Arcadi” made one of its final voyages to deliver munitions but was forced to retreat by the Ottomans.
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