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Stomio, situated 74km to the south of Chania and 1km to the north of the Chrisoskalitissa monastery, forms part of the broader Elafonissi area. It’s not a favorite spot for tourists due to its rocky and often wavy appearance. The beach features large pebbles and patches of sand, making it a suitable choice for those seeking seclusion, though not ideal for families. The water here is rather cold and the sea deep.
The name ‘Stomio’ translates to ‘mouth’ and can be attributed to the river mouth from the village of Vathi that exits at this point. The river’s water is stored in the local reservoir. The beach is not equipped with any amenities, but there is a small tavern close by. The beach is conveniently accessible as it’s adjacent to the main road that links Chania with Chrisoskalitissa and Elafonissi.
Close to Stomio, one can find the old plaster factory, now deserted. There were attempts to revive the factory in 2010, but local residents objected to the financial lobbies and hindered its reestablishment. Also present is the picturesque chapel of Agii Theodori. Across the bay, a lovely pine grove stretches towards the mountain.
The water colour of the Stomio beach is blue.
The Stomio beach has pebbles and rocks in some places.
The water at the Stomio beach is deep.
The sea surface at the Stomio beach is usually wavy.
The Stomio beach is usually quiet.
There are no facilities available at the Stomio beach.
The Stomio beach can be accessed via a paved road.
Yes, the Stomio beach is nudism friendly.
The Stomio beach is ideal for snorkeling and spearfishing.
Find below list of things to do near Stomio beach:
Known for its sandy pink beaches and clear waters, Elafonisi is a stop you won’t want to miss. Located 76km west of Chania, in the South-West tip of Crete, this peninsula forms part of a protected area and is home to the endangered loggerhead sea turtle as well as other rare plants and animals.
The day begins with pick up from specific points in Chania. Travel for about 40-minutes on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. Make a stop in a place with authentic and traditional products for about 15-minutes. At the beach, you’ll have the chance to explore the area on your own. Wander through sand dunes or just enjoy a relaxing swim.
Those traveling with children will enjoy the shallow lagoons, which are perfect for wading and exploring. On your return journey stop iat a traditional tavern in a picturesque village for about an hour. Choose to eat from a number of places to eat at this location (at your own expense). Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to get a picture of the pinkish sand – a color it gets from the millions of crushed shells.
In the mid-afternoon, the bus departs for the return trip to Elafonisi.
On this full-day trip, you’ll travel from Georgioupolis to the southwest corner of Crete and spend a relaxing day on the pink beaches of the small island of Elafonisi.
During the 3-hour drive to the island, you can sit back and relax, admiring the beauty of the lush green landscapes, traditional villages, and a small church built inside a cave along the way. After taking a short break to stop for a drink, you’ll reach your destination, Elafonisi, a picturesque bathing paradise with an island that can be easily reached by foot. The water on the island is shallow, clear and gleams with beautiful shades of blue and green. You’ll have plenty of time to unwind on the beach and to purchase snacks and drinks on the island before returning to Georgioupolis in the evening.
Discover one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on this day trip from Rethymno to Elafonissi. Experience a heaven on earth, with soft white and pink sand, exotic crystal-clear water, and cedar trees that extend down to the coastline. Visit traditional villages like Elos and Kaloudiana.
Get picked up from your hotel area in the morning, then stop for a short break in the traditional village of Elos. Time permitting, enjoy time to have breakfast or a coffee (cost not included). Afterward, depart for Elafonissi.
On the way, see small traditional villages combined with typical Mediterranean scenery. Admire the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge. At Elafonissi, get 4 hours of free time to soak in the sun and enjoy the spectrum of shades of blue that this beach has to offer.
At the end of your tour, stop at the village Kaloudiana, where you can explore the village and have refreshments or food (not included). Later, get driven back to your accommodation in Rethymno.
Experience a very special Tour that leads you to Crete’s most southwestern part on the small island of Elafonisi.
Drive from the north coast to the southwest and enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful nature and picturesque mountain villages to one of Crete’s most beautiful beaches.
Enjoy pure relaxation on exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Jump into the refreshingly cool water and admire the pink shimmering sand in some locations, which has arisen from broken shells.
The small lagoon provides an ideal place for paddling and bathing for children as well. Cross the shallow lagoon and reach the small idyllic island, where you can admire beautiful dunes and the local nature.
Towards the sea, Elafonisi shows a steep rocky ridge, which is the real core of the island. Between the ridge and the coast, the island arose from alluvial deposition over thousands of years. That’s why the island looks like a big sandy desert.
Elafonisi is the nesting site of the sea turtle Caretta Caretta and the last resting place for migratory birds on their flight from Europe to Africa.
Start your day of discovery with a pick-up service. Right after you board your comfortable, air-conditioned bus, you will journey to the southwest corner of Crete to spend a relaxing day on the pink sand beaches on the small island of Elafonisi.
Take in the lush green landscape on the way to the island as you travel through the impressive Topolia Gorge and pass This is an excursion you do not want to miss!
Up to the south-westernmost point of the island, in one of the most spectacular and unexpected locations on the
island, is where we will spend the day.
Elafonisi is a place of exceptional natural beauty, something between an island and a peninsula, as you have to
walk through the sea to reach it.
Once occupied by pirates, today it is a very popular destination for day-trippers who flood there to faraway lagoon,
whilst having a Mediterranean holiday.
Elafonisi is a paradise on earth – a heaven of unparalleled beauty. It is covered with sand dunes, low trees, bushes,
sand lilies and junipers. You can get there on foot from the beach by passing through shallow aquamarine and turquoise
waters. The white and pink sand made of thousands of broken seashells, the limpid blue-green waters, the little coves
and the secluded tiny beaches remind the travelers of a paradise lost.
Take a swim in the warm tropical waters and relax under the hot summer sun!
11:00 Arrival Elafonisi
15:30 Departure from Elafonisi
19:30 Arrival Heraklion
Route: 540 km
Duration: app. 15 hours
Stay Elafonisi: app. 4 ½ hours
Ride in a comfortable coach through small traditional villages and typical Mediterranean scenery. See the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge and have a stop for coffee and refreshments.
Arrive at Elafonissi beach. Here, you have four hours of free time to marvel at the different colors from the soft pink and white sand to the turquoise waters.
As well as exploring the wonders of the beach, discover the small island. This lies just off the shore and you can reach it by strolling through the water. Both the beach and the island are protected wildlife areas of rare beauty and included in the Natura 2000 Protection Programme.
Find below the list of hotels near Stomio beach:
Located at the south-western corner of Crete, the family-run Glykeria Hotel features an outdoor pool with a sea-view sun terrace, and a restaurant. It offers rooms with a balcony overlooking the Libyan Sea. Elafonissi Beach is 4.5 km away.
The simply decorated rooms of Glykeria Hotel are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge and a wardrobe. Each includes a private bathroom with shower and hairdryer.
Guests can relax at the sun loungers by the pool and enjoy the panoramic sea views. Traditional flavours and fresh fish can be enjoyed at the outdoor eating area of the restaurant.
Chania Town is located 74 km from Glykeria Hotel, while Souda Port is at a distance of 80 km. The seaside Palaiochora Port is 31 km away. Free on-site parking is possible.
from
€85
/night
Iliovasilema Apartments offers accommodation in Agios Padeleimon, 4.2 km from Elafonissi Beach. Guests staying at this apartment have access to free WiFi.
Opening onto a terrace, the air-conditioned apartments consist of one sleeping area and a well equipped kitchenette in one space area and one private seperate bathroom. A flat-screen TV is offered.
The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 60 km from the property
Pink Sand Villas has mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking, situated in Agios Padeleimon, 1.7 km from Aspri Limni Beach. The accommodation is air conditioned and features a hot tub.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, sea views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and a hair dryer. A fridge, a stovetop and kitchenware are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Stómio Beach is 2.1 km from Pink Sand Villas, while Kissamos / Kasteli Port is 39 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 80 km from the accommodation.
from
€178
/night
Featuring garden views, Haroupia provides accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 2.5 km from Stómio Beach. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.7 km from Aspri Limni Beach, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
The holiday home comes with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Kissamos / Kasteli Port is 39 km from the holiday home, while Ancient Falassarna is 41 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 81 km from Haroupia.
from
€144
/night
Located in Elafonisi, 1.4 km from Aspri Limni Beach and 2.6 km from Stómio Beach, Sea Lake Holiday House provides accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a garden. The property features inner courtyard and quiet street views, and is 40 km from Kissamos / Kasteli Port.
The holiday home is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Ancient Falassarna is 41 km from the holiday home. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 80 km from Sea Lake Holiday House.
from
€119
/night
Featuring a garden, White Lake Holiday House is a holiday home located in Agios Padeleimon in the Crete Region, just 750 metres from White Lake beach. Guests can enjoy the heated pool. The property is a 5-min drive from the protected and awarded Elafonissi Beach and boasts views of the sea.
The house features a living room and a kitchen with a toaster. Two bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a hairdryer are available. A flat-screen TV with European satellite channels is also available. Free private parking is available.
Guests can enjoy Cretan specialties in nearby traditional restaurants.
Kedrodasos beach is at 4.9 km. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 61 km from the property while Souda Port is at 80km.
Find below list of beaches near Stomio beach:
Situated 70km southeast of Chania and just 500m northwest of the Chrysoskalitissa Monastery, you’ll find Voulolimni – a unique ‘sunken lake’. This is not your typical beach, but rather a natural rocky ‘pool’ that has become a hidden gem for the locals of the Chrysoskalitissa village.
Voulolimni is nestled within a small crater, encircled by rocks, creating a beautiful sea lake. This quaint salt lake is shielded from the strong local winds thanks to its geological formation, with only a small opening connecting it to the open sea. As such, it doubles as a natural harbor for small boats.
Its waters remain calm, boasting an enchanting greenish hue that many swimmers find irresistible. While there are no facilities directly adjacent to the lake, you can find accommodation options and taverns in the nearby Chrysoskalitissa village. This makes Voulolimni a perfect spot for those seeking tranquillity amidst Crete’s natural beauty.
Aspri Limni, translating to ‘White Lake,’ is one of Crete’s most remarkable and yet little-known beaches. Located a mere 500 meters west of Chrysoskalitissa Monastery and 70 kilometres southwest of Chania city, it’s a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. While many flock to the nearby popular lagoon of Elafonissi, Aspri Limni remains largely unexplored, its beauty preserved in its pristine condition.
The beach, adorned with fine white sand and occasional rocks, is enveloped by jagged cliffs, creating the illusion of a tiny pale lake within the sea. Undisturbed by commercial tourism, Aspri Limni retains its pure and untouched charm, although it lacks natural shade.
To reach Aspri Limni, take a right turn in Chrysoskalitissa village and follow the signs leading to the small Phoenix Theophrasti (Cretan Date Palm) habitat located around the lake. If unsure, any local will be able to guide you to this hidden beach.
Protected under Natura 2000 due to its significance as the westernmost habitat of the endangered Phoenix Theophrasti, Aspri Limni holds environmental importance. This palm species is also found in other groves in Crete such as Vai, Preveli, Agios Nikitas, Souda, and in smaller colonies in South Turkey. Among these, Vai hosts the most extensive palm grove.
The Livadia coves, nestled near the Livadia village, are situated 72km southwest of Chania and 31km south of Kissamos. These coves don’t usually feature on a visitor’s itinerary due to their rocky and wavy terrain, a characteristic of most beaches on the western side of Crete. However, these coves are a favorite among the locals and visitors of Livadia village and those who prefer solitude. The village offers limited tourist amenities. On calm days, the Livadia coastline is a dream destination for snorkelling enthusiasts.
The Livadia village is situated along the E4 European hiking path – a coastal trail renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty. The trail commences at the Sfinari village and passes through Livadia and Chrissoskalitisa villages before culminating at the Elafonisi beach. The trail embodies the rugged charm of Crete, with the landscape alternating between olive and locust trees and weather-beaten rocks of black and red volcanic lava.
To reach the beaches, one can stroll along the Livadia village shoreline, pass the port, and arrive at the large black rock formations, recognized as a natural monument. Behind these rocks lie clusters of small ponds filled with greenish water. The sandy and pebbly coves make for a perfect spot for a rejuvenating swim. Alternatively, one can also swim at the pebbly beach within the small harbour of Livadia.
The Keramoti beach, positioned adjacent to a village of the same name, is situated 75km southwest of Chania and 36km south of Kissamos. This medium-sized, pebbly beach is notable for its rocky areas and is well-known among the local populace. However, its rugged terrain may not be suitable for families. Despite the lack of beach amenities, its seclusion makes it an attractive getaway. Accommodation is available in the nearby villages of Keramoti and Livadia.
A stream, fed by mountain springs, runs alongside the beach, providing fresh water. The stream and underwater springs contribute to the cooling of the seawater.
Access to the beach is via a somewhat rough dirt track from Keramoti. The surrounding area is largely rocky, but the rock formations are truly spectacular.
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