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Nopigia beach

Beach description

Nopigia, a coastal village, is situated 6km east of Kissamos and 30km west of the city of Chania. Nestled on the eastern side of Kissamos Bay, it sits adjacent to the base of Rodopos Cape and follows the eastern end of Drapanias beach.

A long beach lies ahead of the village, stretching westwards up to Kissamos. The beach boasts sandy shores with clear, shallow waters. As Nopigia village is close by, visitors can easily access facilities like umbrellas, showers, restaurants and accommodation, all set in a peaceful environment.

To the east, the beach becomes rockier and more secluded, presenting several pebbly and rocky coves. After walking 2km, you will come across the church of Panagia and the beautiful remote beaches of Choni.

Nopigia is believed to have a history dating back to ancient times. Local folklore suggests that upon Agamemnon’s return from Troy, he landed in the area to give offerings to the gods. However, he had to leave swiftly due to the Trojan prisoners’ attempt to burn his fleet.

Not far from Nopigia, following the road to Koleni, you’ll find the ruins of the ancient town Mythimna, nestled amidst olive groves. You can also visit the cruciform Church of St. Panteleimon, which features a cylindrical dome and rectangular floor layout. To the west of Nopigia, ruins of a Roman settlement and a church adorned with Byzantine frescoes, dedicated to Saint George, can be found. Interestingly, the church’s orientation is from North to South, unlike the typical Greek Orthodox churches that face from East to West. This is believed to be due to its construction on the site of an earlier Roman temple, the direction of which was preserved. To the east of Nopigia, there is a small seaside theatre, built in 1992, modeled after ancient Greek theatres and renowned for its excellent acoustics. Lastly, just 200m off the main village street, you can explore the cave of Rizospilios, an underground river.

Beach details