Best things to do in Kavros in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Kavros is a beach settlement on the north coast of Crete, 17 km west of Rethymno in the Rethymno region. Kavros names the wide beach that runs between Georgioupoli and Pyrgos, 4 km east of Georgioupoli, with a hotel of the same name beside it. Tourist development has reached this shore, yet Kavros stays less commercialised than Georgioupolis next to it.
Chania airport lies 24 km from Kavros and Chania city 31 km to the north-west. The settlement works as a beach base: its sand forms the eastern end of a 10 km run of shoreline that begins at Georgioupolis, and restaurants, cafés and bars stand along it.
Things to do in and around Kavros
Kavros has 6 outings within 10 km of the beach, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Kavros beach. The sand begins 300 m from the settlement, and the water runs clear and shallow, though the shore lies open to the wind and the waves often build. Quieter stretches are left unorganised, and the Kavros beach page sets out which sections have facilities.
- Spend a day in Georgioupolis. The coastal village sits 3.6 km west in a green valley crossed by rivers and springs, on the bay of Almiros. Summer brings crowds to its sandy beach, and rooms, shops and tavernas are listed on the Georgioupolis town page.
- Drive up to Episkopi. The town stands 4 km inland at 120 m above sea level, on the old national road between Rethymno and Chania, and looks over the Mousselas river valley and the north coast. Its 14th-century Church of the Holy Cross is the landmark listed on the Episkopi town page.
- Hike the Petres Gorge. The gorge opens at Petres beach 5.7 km away and carries the longest river in Rethymno province, fed by tributaries reaching from Kollita in the west to Mount Vrysinas in the east. Its narrow section runs about 1 km from the village of Karoti, and ponds along the course of the gorge are deep enough to swim in.
- Swim off the dock at Ombros Gialos. The rocky bay lies 9.1 km away on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula, near the villages of Kefalas and Paleloni. Its small harbour dock drops straight into deep blue-green water, and the cove keeps one fish tavern and no sunbeds.
- Walk the Kollita Gorges. The two parallel ravines lie 9.9 km away near Argyroupolis and finish near the village of Kato Poros. Moundros, the eastern ravine, runs between the 567 m Vigla peak and Nissiani hill, and the pair suit walkers new to gorges.
About Kavros
Kavros is the name of both the beach and the development behind it, set between Georgioupoli to the west and Pyrgos to the east. Kavros keeps restaurants, cafés and bars along the shore, which makes a whole day here workable without leaving the beach, and parts of the sand are left unorganised for people who want quiet.
The country on either side is well watered. Georgioupolis, 3.6 km west, occupies a green valley crossed by rivers and springs on the bay of Almiros, and Episkopi, 4 km inland, looks down on the Mousselas river valley from 120 m. Kavros itself is a shore settlement: the beach, the road behind it and the businesses that serve visitors.
Beaches near Kavros
3 more beaches lie within 4 km of Kavros, and each is more sheltered than the open sand at Kavros itself.
- Georgioupolis lies 3.5 km west, a 2 km band of sand and dunes running east from the Almiros river to Kavros beach, child-friendly and well kept, with lifeguards, umbrellas, showers and food stalls; currents call for care in wind.
- Episkopi sits 3.8 km away, 3.5 km of soft sand in a fertile valley between the Mouselas river and the river out of the Petres gorge, with a lifeguard, sunbeds, showers, snack bars and water sports at the western end and a quiet zone near the Petres bridge.
- Kalivaki is 3.9 km west, the westernmost beach of Georgioupolis bay, at the mouth of the Almyros river; the shore stays sheltered from the wind and the shallow water runs noticeably cool, which suits children.
Where to eat in Kavros
Places to eat in Kavros sit along the beach and the road behind it, all of them within 500 m.
- Utopia The Food Bar is 100 m from the centre.
- Taverna Café Asteri stands 100 m from the centre.
- Bonatsa sits 300 m from the centre.
- Taverna Pelagia’s Yard lies 300 m from the centre.
- Sea Horse A La Carte is 400 m from the centre.
Getting to Kavros
Kavros sits on the north coast between Rethymno and Chania, 17 km west of the first and 31 km south-east of the second. Chania airport lies 24 km away, Kissamos 60 km west and Georgioupoli 4 km west along the same shore.
The villages behind Kavros sit inland from the coast. The old national road from Rethymno to Chania runs through Episkopi, 4 km away at 120 m above sea level, while Argyroupolis stands 7.9 km from Kavros and about 22 km south-west of Rethymno, close to the Kollita gorges.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kavros in Crete?
Kavros lies on the north coast of Crete, 17 km west of Rethymno and 4 km east of Georgioupoli. The settlement falls within the Rethymno region, between Georgioupoli and Pyrgos.
How far is Kavros from Chania airport?
Chania airport is 24 km from Kavros. Chania city lies 31 km to the north-west and Rethymno 17 km east.
Does Kavros have a beach?
Yes, Kavros beach starts 300 m from the settlement and forms the eastern end of a 10 km run of sand. The water is clear and shallow, and restaurants, cafés and bars line the shore behind it.
Is Kavros beach windy?
Kavros beach lies open to the wind, so the waves build noticeably. Kalivaki beach, 3.9 km west at the mouth of the Almyros river, stays sheltered on those days and works better for children.
Is Kavros quieter than Georgioupolis?
Kavros is less commercialised than Georgioupolis beside it, despite substantial tourist development. Parts of Kavros beach stay unorganised, while the Georgioupolis section of the same shoreline has lifeguards, umbrellas, showers and food stalls.
Can you walk a gorge from Kavros?
2 gorge walks start within 10 km of Kavros. Petres Gorge opens at Petres beach 5.7 km away and holds ponds deep enough to swim in, and the Kollita gorges near Argyroupolis, 9.9 km away, suit a first gorge walk.
Where Kavros is
Best things to do in Kavros in 2024 is located at Kavros. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
