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The beach known as Mavros Kolimbos or Agios Panteleimon is situated 51km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 16km to the east of Ierapetra. This quaint coastal settlement has experienced gentle growth over recent years. The area boasts several rental accommodations and small eateries. The beach itself is a charming spot with dark grey pebbles and typically tranquil waters. Some parts of the seabed are rocky, making it perfect for snorkelling. Although the beach is not organized, there are tamarisk trees nearby that provide natural shade.
To reach Mavros Kolimbos from Ierapetra, take the main road east towards Makrigialos, which runs along Crete’s southern shoreline. Public bus services are also available to Makrigialos and can stop in the area. If you’re driving, consider stopping by the mountainous Orino village in the Thrypti Range and the Gorge of Red Butterflies. Within the settlement, pay a visit to the Agios Panteleimonas church, from which the beach derives its alternative name.
Mavros Kolimbos means “black pool” in Greek.
Yes, Mavros Kolimbos beach is suitable for swimming, but visitors should be cautious of the strong currents.
Yes, visitors can explore the nearby village of Kalo Chorio and the ancient ruins of Lato.
Yes, visitors can take a bus from Agios Nikolaos to Kalo Chorio and then walk to the Mavros Kolimbos beach.
No, Mavros Kolimbos beach is not known for its snorkeling or diving opportunities.
There are a few restaurants and cafes in the nearby village of Kalo Chorio, but none directly on the Mavros Kolimbos beach.
Yes, Mavros Kolimbos beach offers a beautiful view of the sunset over the Aegean Sea.
The water colour of the Mavros Kolimbos beach is blue.
The Mavros Kolimbos beach has pebbles as its sand type.
The Mavros Kolimbos beach has a normal water depth.
The sea surface at the Mavros Kolimbos beach is usually calm.
The Mavros Kolimbos beach has a normal crowd level.
The Mavros Kolimbos beach has accommodation options and food/water nearby.
The Mavros Kolimbos beach can be accessed through bus services and a paved road.
Yes, there is tree shade available at the Mavros Kolimbos beach.
Find below list of things to do near Mavros Kolimbos beach:
Enjoy the unforgettable panoramic view over the entire north-east coast of Crete. In the mountains, it smells of the most aromatic herbs that will be shown and explained to you. Our adventure will take you to the rustic mountain village “Stavrohori”. There will be time to stroll around, visit the old church and sit down to savour a refreshment. Your tour guide, who has lived in Crete for the past 33 years, will share with you some Greek secrets with pleasure as well as some little anecdotes.
Nature lovers will experience the ultimate adventure wrapped into a half day excursion!
Explore the “wild heart” of East Crete, undiscovered by tourism, where “time” seems to
stand still. A combination of tar and off roads, will guide you from Ierapetra to the mountains of Thripti . A highlight of the tour is the stop at the summit Afentis (850 m) with an unforgettable panoramic view on both seas (Libyan/Aegean). We continue to Kavousi, where you can admire the oldest olive tree in the world (3250 years). In Mochlos, you can enjoy the “greek cuisine” in a typical tavern. Our trip continues through the vine yards and olive fields, among small chapels, towards authentic villages with their simple lifestyle (Sfaka, Lastros-known as the “cat village”). To end this adventures day, refresh yourselves in the crystal clear water at the bay of Tholos.
An unforgettable day for nature lovers and adventurers
Find below the list of hotels near Mavros Kolimbos beach:
Set in Achlia, 1.6 km from Beach Maheridi and 2.2 km from Achlia Beach, Blue & sea vol. 01 offers a garden and air conditioning. This beachfront property offers access to free WiFi and free private parking.
The holiday home comes with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Lake Voulismeni is 49 km from the holiday home, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 48 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 41 km from Blue & sea vol. 01.
from
€88
/night
Featuring sea views, Bay view residence features accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 1.5 km from Beach Maheridi. This beachfront property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.
With free WiFi, this 2-bedroom holiday home provides a flat-screen TV, a washing machine and a kitchen with a dishwasher and oven. Towels and bed linen are provided in the holiday home.
The holiday home has a garden for your convenience, along with a private beach area.
Achlia Beach is 2.1 km from Bay view residence, while Lake Voulismeni is 49 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 41 km from the accommodation.
Situated in Ierápetra, 1.6 km from Beach Maheridi and 2.7 km from Achlia Beach, Sunset Apartment features air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. The property features garden and quiet street views, and is 49 km from Lake Voulismeni.
The apartment with a terrace and sea views has 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a shower.
Barbecue facilities are provided and guests can also relax in the garden.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 49 km from the apartment. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 41 km from Sunset Apartment.
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, Mystique Luxury Suite is located in Achlia. This property offers a rooftop pool, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa with a terrace and sea views features 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a hot tub. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
Spa and wellness facilities including a hot tub, a hammam and a steam room are at guests’ disposal during their stay at the villa. Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Achlia Beach is 400 metres from Mystique Luxury Suite, while Lake Voulismeni is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public, 45 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Set in Achlia, Achlia Beach Villa is located on the beachfront. The villa offers air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. This villa features a private pool, a garden and free private parking.
This villa is fitted with 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom equipped with a shower.
A terrace is available for guests at the villa to use.
The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 28 km from Achlia Beach Villa.
from
€238
/night
Featuring mountain views, Villa Achlia provides accommodation with a terrace and a coffee machine, around 100 metres from Achlia Beach. It features an infinity pool, a garden, sea views and free WiFithroughout the property.
This villa comes with 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with an oven and a microwave, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 3 bathrooms equipped with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
The villa offers a hot tub. If you would like to discover the area, hiking is possible in the surroundings.
Agia Fotia Beach is 2.5 km from Villa Achlia, while Lake Voulismeni is 47 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 46 km from the accommodation.
from
€221
/night
Find below list of beaches near Mavros Kolimbos beach:
The beaches of Maheridia by Koutsouras village are a series of three different beaches with high cliffs. These beaches are all beautiful with crystal clear water and are only accessible by boat. The only one that can be accessed from the coast is the last beach to the east, accessed through two different trails hidden in the dense piney wood. The beach is only a few meters east of the well-known woods Apiganias at Koutsouras, in an area with many pine trees.
From the main road, a very short dirt road descends to the parking area where we meet a cluster of high pine trees. From here we have beautiful panoramic views of the eastern bay of Maheridia. Maheridia is a favourite destination for locals and you will very rarely see tourists. The picturesque bays are sandy and pebbly with some scattered rocks in places. The east bay at Maheridi is calm and windless almost all the time, being ideal for families with children.
The area is full of water springs, especially in winter and spring water gushes from everywhere and after a short distance reaches the sea. At some point the water is gathered, so one can see running water even in the dry summer months.
Ahlia, also known as Achlia, is situated 50km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 15km east of Ierapetra, within the jurisdiction of the village Schinokapsala. It’s a small community nestled in a cove, with the Thrypti Range’s steep slopes and pine trees surrounding it. The cove opens up into a stunning beach with coarse sand and vibrant blue water. The beach has minimal development, with only a few umbrellas, water sports, and some nearby accommodations, mini markets and taverns. Tamarisk trees provide shade for visitors, and the sea is usually calm. This location is perfect for a tranquil vacation, particularly for families.
The Achlia Gorge, which is small but reasonably wide, begins west of the Skinokapsala village at the Kipos location. The gorge, covered in pine trees, ends at Ahlia beach. During winter, water from the Thripti Range forms a river with several waterfalls (between 5 to 8 meters high) along its path. As the sandstone walls are not narrow, hiking is relatively easy without the need for canyoning equipment.
To get to Ahlia, take the main road east to Makrigialos, following the southern coastline of Crete, until you see the signpost for Ahlia. East of Ahlia, before reaching the Agios Panteleimonas community, you’ll find the small beach known as Bonda or Grias Pidima.
Situated 47km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 13km east of Ierapetra, near Achlia beach, lies the quaint village of Galini. Nestled amidst a lush landscape dotted with pine trees, Galini is a small yet slightly developed village. The coastline surrounding the village is marked by numerous hidden coves and pebbly beaches, only accessible via a few well-concealed paths.
Among these is Galini beach, a serene spot nestled between Ahlia and Agia Fotia. Characterized by fine pebbles and clear calm waters, the beach’s seabed is rocky in certain spots. The beach remains concealed from the main road due to towering conglomerate rocks and isn’t easily accessible, making it a quiet and ideal spot for those seeking solitude. While the beach is not organized, the proximity of village hotels and taverns makes it convenient for visitors. A short path from Galini’s main road leads directly to the beach.
Situated 55km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 20km east of Ierapetra, Koutsouras lies on the primary road between Ierapetra and Makrigialos. This coastal village is nestled in a valley surrounded by pine trees, greenhouses, and olive groves, resting on the southern slopes of Mount Thripti. Despite being equipped with a police station, pharmacy, clinic, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and more, Koutsouras maintains a serene atmosphere.
The village is bordered by beaches featuring coarse black sand and tranquil waters. The primary beach, located to the west of the village and adjacent to the old settlement, is well-maintained and dotted with tamarisk trees for shade. A secluded pebble beach near the village harbor offers a quieter option, situated 1.5km west next to the Apiganias woodland. Additionally, the family-friendly Koutsourelis beach, boasting sandy shores, lies 1km east of Koutsouras.
Sights to See
Koutsouras’ surrounding region, a heavenly landscape of Eastern Crete, is worth exploring. The southern slopes of Thripti are blanketed by a lush pine forest, providing an oasis in Lasithi’s arid landscape. Despite significant damage from a 1993 fire, the forest has gradually regenerated. The Apiganias park, 1.5km west of the village, offers a glimpse of the pine trees and also hosts cultural events. This park also marks the end of the Red Butterflies gorge, a unique canyon filled with pine trees and fresh water springs. For a complete experience, consider visiting the village Orino on Mount Thripti, which marks the starting point of the gorge.
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