Best things to do in Stavromenos in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Stavromenos is a coastal village in the Rethymno region of Crete, about 10 km east of Rethymno city. The village stands at the eastern end of Rethymno Bay, where the long sandy shore running east from Rethymno harbour begins to give out. Stavromenos beach carries the settlement’s name and forms one link in the Skaleta beachfront, which commences 11 km east of Rethymno and extends 3 km further east to close off the bay.
Chania airport lies about 43 km west along the coast, and Heraklion sits 50 km east. The village works as a beach base a short drive outside Rethymno, with the city 10 km west and the inland villages of the Milopotamos district to the east.
Things to do in and around Stavromenos
Six outings lie within 9 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Stavromenos beach, which takes its name from the settlement and sits 0.9 km from the centre. Beaches along this front are predominantly sandy and carefully organised, with spots of pebbles and tiny rocks, and our Skaleta beachfront guide covers the whole stretch.
- Visit Arsaniou Monastery, which stands 1.1 km from the village, close enough for a short trip out and back; see our Arsaniou Monastery page.
- Spend a morning at Pigianos Kambos. The beach 2.5 km west is quieter than the others along Rethymno Bay and less developed than its neighbour Adelianos Kambos. Its name translates as “Plane of Pigi”, after the fertile fields farmed by the people of nearby Pigi village.
- Snorkel at Spilies, a small sheltered pebble cove 5.2 km east, tucked between Skaleta and Geropotamos, with clear deep water, towering cliffs and sea caves that shelter endangered wildlife. It faces north and the sea is often wavy, so Spilies suits confident swimmers rather than young families.
- Hike the Prassano gorge. The route begins south of Prasses village, 8 km from Stavromenos, and takes about three hours through enormous rocks and some fairly challenging passages. Lush vegetation and towering plane trees line the streambed of the Gorge of Prasses, which is open from mid-June to mid-October.
- Walk the Arkadi Gorge. The 4.5 km route starts just north of Arkadi Monastery, 8.2 km away, and takes about two hours along the eastern bank of a green rocky ravine. The Arkadi Gorge trail ends near the village of Pikris, where the Gypofarago gorge joins it, and it has no entrance fee and no facilities, so carry your own water and food.
About Stavromenos and its setting
Stavromenos is one of a chain of coastal settlements strung east of Rethymno along the bay, and it stands near the far end of that chain. Leaving the city the order runs Platanes at 3 to 5 km, Adelianos Kambos at 6 km, Pigianos Kambos at 8 km, then Sfakaki, then Stavromenos, then Skaleta. The bay shore covers about 13 km in total from Rethymno harbour to Skaleta, and the sandy stretch narrows and fades as it runs east past the village.
Day to day the settlement keeps a cluster of tavernas, grill houses and beachfront restaurants within about 1.5 km of the centre. For larger shops, the harbour and the old town, Rethymno city lies about 10 km west.
Beaches near Stavromenos
Five beaches lie within 6 km of the village, covering most of the eastern half of Rethymno Bay.
- Skaleta lies 0.9 km east, the beachfront that starts 11 km east of Rethymno and runs 3 km to the end of the Rethymno Gulf, with Stavromenos beach at its western end.
- Pigianos Kambos sits 2.5 km west, also called Pigi beach, and quieter than the other beaches in Rethymno.
- Adelianos Kambos stands 4.1 km west, also known as Adele Beach, a seaside suburb of Rethymno with local buses running regularly from the city centre.
- Spilies opens 5.2 km east, a small pebble cove also known as Tou Maliou to Riaki.
- Platanes runs 5.7 km west, a long organised sandy beach with shallow water, sunbeds and lifeguards in season, and a shore protected as a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles.
Where to eat in Stavromenos
Eating in Stavromenos means tavernas, grill houses and seafront restaurants, and every option below sits within about 1.5 km of the village centre.
- Restaurant Eleven stands 200 m from the centre.
- Thalassi Restaurant sits 300 m from the centre.
- Pantelis Restaurant lies 900 m from the centre.
- Rizoti Grill and Pizzeria serves grilled dishes and pizza 1 km out.
- Tavern Dimitris serves taverna cooking 1.1 km out.
Getting to Stavromenos
Reach Stavromenos from the coastal national road that links Rethymno and Heraklion, about 10 km east of the city. Chania airport lies roughly 43 km west and Chania city 54 km west, while Heraklion sits 50 km east.
Two neighbouring villages make straightforward half-day trips in the other direction. The former fishing village of Panormo, 9.7 km east, is built around a natural harbour in the Milopotamos province and keeps about 400 residents year-round. The pottery village of Margarites, 10 km away and inland, is known across Crete for its ceramic tradition, its alleys and its preserved architecture.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Stavromenos in Crete?
Stavromenos lies on the north coast of Crete, about 10 km east of Rethymno city, in the Rethymno region. The village sits on the eastern arm of Rethymno Bay, between Sfakaki to the west and Skaleta to the east.
Does Stavromenos have a beach?
Yes, Stavromenos beach lies 0.9 km from the centre and is named after the settlement. It belongs to the Skaleta beachfront, where the sand is predominantly soft and the beaches are carefully organised, with spots of pebbles and tiny rocks between them.
How far is Stavromenos from the airport?
Chania airport is about 43 km west of Stavromenos. Chania city lies 54 km west and Heraklion 50 km east.
Can you walk a gorge from Stavromenos?
Two gorges sit within 9 km of the village. The Prassano gorge, 8 km away, runs for about three hours from south of Prasses village and opens from mid-June to mid-October. The Arkadi Gorge, 8.2 km away, is a 4.5 km walk of roughly two hours that starts north of Arkadi Monastery.
What is near Stavromenos for a day out?
Rethymno city, 10 km west, is the nearest place with a harbour and an old town. Panormo and Margarites lie about the same distance east and inland. Arsaniou Monastery, 1.1 km from the village, is the closest thing to see on foot.
Where Stavromenos is
Best things to do in Stavromenos in 2024 is located at Stavromenos. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
