Platanes beach

Platanes beach is a long, sandy, well-organised beach on Rethymno Bay, on the north coast of Crete, 3-5 km from the town of Rethymno. Platanes beach has shallow, light-blue water, sunbeds and lifeguards in season, and it is part of a protected nesting shore for loggerhead sea turtles. The sand runs in front of the Pervolia, Missiria and Platanias suburbs, which are also known together as Platanes, and joins the wider Rethymno Bay coastline that stretches about 13 km east from Rethymno harbour to Skaleta.

Where is Platanes beach?

Platanes beach lies on Rethymno Bay, 3-5 km from the centre of Rethymno, where the suburbs of Pervolia, Missiria and Platanias meet the sea. Platanes beach sits near the start of a long sandy strip that runs about 13 km east along the bay to Skaleta. These three suburbs were once separate settlements that merged into the urban area of Rethymno over the last century. The nearest airport is Chania International, about 75 km to the west.

Sand, sea and swimming

The sand at Platanes beach is soft and the water is shallow and light blue, so children can paddle safely close to the shore. The sea faces north and lies open to the wind, which keeps the water fresh but turns the calm morning surface wavy by the afternoon. Lifeguards watch the main organised stretch during the day in season, and a playground sits nearby for families. Mornings are usually the quietest and calmest time to swim.

Facilities and organisation

Platanes beach is a well-organised beach with a full set of services along the sand. Platanes beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas to rent, showers, and food and drink at the tavernas and cafes behind the shore. Water sports run from the beach in season, such as jet skiing, parasailing and banana-boat rides. The beach holds a Blue Flag, and you can reach it on foot, by bus from Rethymno, or along the paved coast road, with a handicap-friendly entrance and parking nearby for a fee.

Loggerhead turtles at Platanes beach

Platanes beach is a nesting ground for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), a species protected by the Greek State. Rethymno Bay is one of the 3 most important nesting sites for the species in Greece, with more than 400 nests recorded each year. The turtles lay their eggs in the sand along the whole bay, so marked nests are sometimes roped off and visitors keep clear of them to protect the eggs.

Beaches near Platanes beach

The coast on either side of Platanes beach holds several more sandy beaches, listed below by distance.

• Misiria beach (1.1 km): a sandy suburb beach on the same bay, named after its fertile farmland.
• Adelianos Kambos beach (1.7 km): a developed resort beach about 6 km east of Rethymno, with hotels, umbrellas, lifeguards and beach sports.
• Pervolia beach (1.8 km): part of the same suburb strip, with a long sandy shore and food and lodging close by.
• Pigianos Kambos beaches (3.3 km): a quieter stretch about 8 km east of Rethymno, with small rocky coves that are good for snorkelling.

Getting to Platanes beach

Platanes beach sits just outside Rethymno, so buses from the town centre stop close to the sand and the paved coast road brings you to the door. A beach morning here fits easily with the old town of Rethymno, the turtle-nesting bays toward Skaleta, and the quieter coves further east. The simplest way to reach them all on your own schedule is by car, which you can compare on our car rental in Crete page.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Platanes beach?

Platanes beach is on Rethymno Bay, 3-5 km from the centre of Rethymno, on the north coast of Crete.

Is Platanes beach good for families and children?

Yes. The water is shallow and light blue, lifeguards watch the main stretch in season, and a playground sits nearby, so children can swim and play safely.

What facilities does Platanes beach have?

Platanes beach has sunbeds and umbrellas to rent, showers, lifeguards in season, a Blue Flag, and food and drink at the tavernas and cafes behind the shore.

Can you do water sports at Platanes beach?

Yes. Water sports run from Platanes beach in season, such as jet skiing, parasailing and banana-boat rides.

Is there parking at Platanes beach?

Yes. Parking is available near Platanes beach for a fee, and town buses and the paved coast road also reach the sand.

Why are there sea turtles at Platanes beach?

Platanes beach lies on Rethymno Bay, one of Greece’s 3 most important nesting sites for the loggerhead sea turtle, where more than 400 nests are recorded each year.