Móchlos
Mochlos is a small coastal village on the north shore of eastern Crete, 48 km east of Agios Nikolaos and 35 km west of Sitia. The village faces the islet of Saint Nicholas across 150 m of water, and that islet holds a chapel of the same name alongside an important archaeological site. Mochlos has kept its traditional Cretan character instead of a resort front, and its coastal road carries a handful of taverns and cafes serving fresh seafood and drinks. Many of the people who live and work here come from the inland village of Sfaka.
Sitia (JSH) is the nearest airport, and Sitia town lies 35 km east of the village by road. Mochlos is a place for a quiet stay rather than a busy one: the archaeology, the swimming and the walking in the gorges behind the coast are what bring people here. Village events such as fishing competitions run through the season, and visitors can take part in them.
Things to do in and around Mochlos
Mochlos has 6 outings within 8 km, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim from the village shore. The water starts at the edge of the settlement, and the full account of each stretch sits on our Mochlos beaches page.
- Look across to the islet of Saint Nicholas. The islet lies 150 m off the village and carries a chapel of that name together with an archaeological site of real importance.
- Walk to the excavations. The Mochlos archaeological ruins stand 300 m from the village, close enough to visit on foot before breakfast.
- Cross to Psira. The Psira islet archaeological site lies 3.8 km along the coast from Mochlos, on its own island.
- Descend the Koudoumis gorge. The canyon sits 5.6 km away by the village of Tourloti, and its stream carries water down to Mavro Seli beach near Mochlos. Six minor but steep rappels need careful handling, so the Koudoumis gorge is not a casual stroll.
- Hike the Richtis gorge to the sea. The trail runs roughly 3 km from just outside Exo Mouliana down to Richtis beach, with a height difference of about 350 m. Water stays in the Richtis gorge even in summer, fed from the Drymias peak of the Orno range at 918 m.
Beaches near Mochlos
Mochlos has 4 more beaches within 9 km, and they differ sharply in how easy they are to reach, with 2 of them needing a dirt track or a walk through a canyon.
- Tholos lies 5.3 km west, also called Kavoussi beach, 4 km north of Kavoussi village at the end of a fertile valley of old olive groves and vineyards. Pebble and sand on the west side, a small harbour, tamarisk trees for shade. The water looks hazy and light blue because underwater springs from the Thripti massif mix with the sea here.
- Gela sits 6.3 km east, also known as Tigania, near the village of Kalavros. Tiny bays of pebble and green-tinted water sit under steep rocky coast, sheltered from westerly wind, and the sea drops away deep. A 5 km dirt track from Kalavros is the way in.
- Richtis is 7.4 km east, a small pebble cove at the foot of the gorge, reached on the paved road from Exo Mouliana or on the walk down the canyon. It faces north, so waves are common. There are no facilities beyond tamarisk trees, stone seats and tables and a stone water fountain, so bring your own food.
- Agriomandra lies 8.9 km west, hidden at the exit of the Agriomandra gorge and reachable only on foot through the canyon. The walk takes about 10 minutes from the dirt road across the Lakos Ambelion meadows west of Kavoussi, past small caves, one of them a stone-built Byzantine church of Saint John the Theologian.
Gorges behind Mochlos
Mochlos has 4 gorges cutting towards this coast within 9 km, so a stay can alternate a beach day with a canyon day. Koudoumis and Richtis are the 2 nearest the village; these are the other 2.
- Havgas gorge by Kavousi is 7.8 km away, on the Kavousi side of the village.
- Mesonas gorge lies 8.6 km away, the furthest of the 4 from Mochlos.
Where to eat in Mochlos
Eating in Mochlos happens on the coastal road, where a handful of taverns and cafes serve fresh seafood and drinks. Everything in the village is within a couple of hundred metres, and two more places sit about 4 km inland.
- Kavouria is in the village itself, on the seafront.
- Taverna Tó Bogázi is a taverna 100 m from the centre.
- Bar Raki works as a bar 100 m from the centre.
- Nektaria’s Kitchen stands 4 km from the village.
- Kathodon is 4.2 km from the village.
Getting to Mochlos
Mochlos sits between the two main towns of eastern Crete, 48 km east of Agios Nikolaos and 35 km west of Sitia by road. Drivers coming from Agios Nikolaos follow the road towards Sitia, the same route that the Kalavros turning for Gela leaves from.
A car earns its keep along this coast, because each neighbouring beach has its own approach: Tholos from Kavoussi, Gela down a 5 km dirt track from Kalavros, Richtis on the paved road from Exo Mouliana, and Agriomandra only on foot through its canyon. Sitia (JSH) is the nearest airport.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Mochlos in Crete?
Mochlos lies on the north coast of eastern Crete, 48 km east of Agios Nikolaos and 35 km west of Sitia, in the Lasithi region.
Does Mochlos have a beach?
Yes, the shore starts at the edge of the village, and 4 further beaches lie within 9 km. Tholos to the west and Richtis to the east are the two that draw people away from Mochlos itself for a day.
What is the island opposite Mochlos?
The islet 150 m off the village is Saint Nicholas. It carries a chapel of the same name and an archaeological site of real importance, and it is the feature most photographs of Mochlos are taken towards.
Which airport is nearest to Mochlos?
Sitia (JSH) is the nearest airport to Mochlos. Sitia town itself lies 35 km east of the village by road.
Can you walk a gorge from Mochlos?
Mochlos has 4 gorges within 9 km. Richtis is the one most walkers choose, a 3 km trail from Exo Mouliana down to Richtis beach with a height difference of about 350 m. Koudoumis, 5.6 km away, has six short but steep rappels and needs proper preparation.
Location
Móchlos is located at Móchlos, in the Lassithi region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
