BEACHES
ALL YEAR ROUND
North Coast Beaches
Thanks to its award-winning beaches, Rethymno is an ideal destination for summer vacations.
On the north shore with its sandy, organized beaches you can find some of the biggest and most luxurious hotels of the island.
Rethymno beach
The beach of Rethymno is located in the east of the city and extends to a length of 12 km, ending in the area of Scaleta. It is a beautiful beach with crystal clear water and golden sand, awarded with 12 Blue Flags. It’s fully organized with sun beds, umbrellas, showers, water sports, beach bars, restaurants, taverns, lifeguards, etc., but there are many places for peace and quiet away from the suffocating and intense rhythms of everyday life. It is ideal for children as it deepens gradually and not abruptly and has plenty of space for sand games, so parents and children can both enjoy it.
There is also a SEATRAC wheelchair system for people with special needs thatcan easily be moved in and out of the water. What is striking, and at the same time unprecedented on this beach, is that the protected Carreta-Carreta sea turtles lay their eggs along the beach during the summer months. That’s why several places are protected by discreet fencing so that the sea turtles can give birth safely.
Kamari beach
Thebeachof Kamari is a small rocky beach ideal for snorkeling, located about 7km west ofRethymnon, near the villageGerani, at the exit of Vederi Gorge. It isequipped with a SEATRAC wheelchair system for people with special needs thatcan easily be moved in and out of the water.
Petres beach
Petres beach is 13km west of Rethymno. It is named after the imposing Petres Gorge that ends here. All around there are facilities such as accomodations, restaurants, etc. The rocky seabed is ideal for fishing and snorkeling. You can also try scuba diving with the assistance of the diving school based there.
Episkopi beach
The beach of Episkopi is located 12 km west of Rethymno, about 15-20 minutes drive from the city centre by car or bus. This is another beach with a huge area, 3.5 km long. It is organized in some parts with sun beds, umbrellas, taverns and large hotel units and in some parts unorganized, so guests who want more isolation can enjoy the quiet spots of the beach. The waters are clear, crystal and shallow, ideal for diving and absolute relaxation. What you need to know is that the beach is often affected by the winds, which can create dangerous currents. Of course, there are lifeguards along the beach to take care of your personal safety.
Spilies beach
This beach is not one of the most famous in the prefecture of Rethymno, but it is very special. It is a small bay surrounded by large rocks and caves, which is why it has this name. The visitors can visit the beach by car. It is an organized beach with sun beds and umbrellas and a small canteen, so you can get the essentials during your stay on the beach. It has pebble and the waters have a wonderful blue-green color which in combination with the imposing rocks, offer a magnificent and exotic landscape. If you keep on going to the east, you will findGeropotamos beach named after the river that empties into the sea and Panormo beach, by the picturesque fishermen's village of Panormo.
Bali beaches
Another beautiful, quiet, family and tourist destination is located in Bali, 30 km east of Rethymno. Attendance is easy either by road (car, bus) or by sea taxi from Rethymno, which passes through unique natural landscapes, caves and secluded beaches. Bali consists of four beaches known as Livadi, Varkotopos, Limani and Karavostasis.
They are all fully organized, with wonderful clear, blue water and golden sand, in the protected bay of Bali and thus are not often affected by the “meltemia”(winds). There are also several hotels and rooms for rent, ready to welcome you, so you can combine vacation and relaxation with the beautiful beaches in Bali. It includes a diving school, so you can enjoy and explore the rich sea floor of Bali with the assistance of trained staff.
The most organized beach of the southern side, is Plakias beach, which gives you the opportunity to try sea sports, but also to visit more deserted beaches such as Korakas beach near Kato Rodakino, Souda beach and Damnoni, Ammoudi and Shinaria beaches located next to Plakias for romantic strolls on the beach, more calm relaxation by the sea.
Just before the Monastery of Preveli, and if you follow the trail on foot for about 15 minutes you will reach the most famous beach in the region, the Preveli beach, with palm trees right at the mouth of river Kourtaliotis.
If you keep to the south and follow the road to Aghia Galini you have more options.
Option 1:
At the 40th Km. turn towards the villageAkoumiaand carry on. You will find a large sandy beach,Triopetra.
Option 2:
At the 46th Km. near the villageKriaVrisiturn right and carry on towards the sea until you see the beach ofAgios Pavlos. The rocks and dunes form small coves which you will surely love.
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Beaches at Agia Galini
Both beaches at Agia Galini are east of the village and you can reach them easily along the path from the harbour, where the great rock rises from which Daedalus and Icarus once flew.
The main sand-and-pebble beach of Agia Galini has umbrellas, cafeterias and tavernas. There is plenty of room on the beach so it should not feel annoyingly crowded.
If you cross the bridge over the Platy River, you will find yourself on the east beach, which also has sand and pebbles at the start.
This beach continues for several kilometres as far as Kokkinos Pyrgos but the sand soon disappears, leaving large stones both in and out of the water.
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55km from Rethymno in the southern part of the prefecture, Agios Pavlos beach is located at the settlement of the same name.
This sandy beach is well protected from the wind, and with crystal clear waters, while you can see smooth rocks in the sea. It stands out for the high dunes that are very impressive as well as for the superb scenery during sunset.
There are beach umbrellas and chaise longues, beach showers and water sports facilities.
There is also small hotels and apartments and tavernas at the settlement where you can stay or you can have tasty delicacies after a long swim in the sea.
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The beaches of Ammoudi is string of bays enclose the beaches of Ammoudaki and a little further off is Schoinaria beach.
With white sand, crystal clear turquoise waters is a great place for a day trip.
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35km from Rethymno city, in the southern part, you will come across Damnoni beach.
It stretches along the tourist resort of the same name and hotels, providing all the amenities that you need.
At the long beach with white, coarse sand and crystal clear waters you will find beach umbrellas and chaise, beach bars as well as water sports ans scuba diving facilities. Next to Damnoni beach there is Ammoudaki and Ammoudi beaches.
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Korakas Beach is located in the village of Rodakino.
It is a large beach with small pebbles, black sand and shallow very clear water.
At the east end are some impressive cliffs and caves, whilst the west has trees and shade. A well-enough organized beach, provides sunbeds, umbrellas and showers, as well as tavernas and rent rooms.
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Accessed by the magnificent Kotsifou or Kourtaliotiko Gorges, the village of Plakias is set towards the centre of a large bay on the southern coast of Rethymno, its enclosed within the arms of mountains.
Originally a very small and quiet fishing village, it now offers a range of hotels, tavernas, cafes and shops.
The natural beauty of the place helped Plakias to become a renowned tourist resort now providing all the facilities that a visitor could wish. It belongs to the municipality of Agios Vassilios.
For those wishing to explore further afield, there are books available describing the range of local walks. Plakias makes a good starting point for walks along the coast to Souda beach, Damnonibeach or Amoudibeach or up into the encircling hills to other villages such as Sellia or Mirthios, which give spectacular views out to sea. You can also take the boat to Preveli beach.
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Preveli beach is 40km away from Rethimnon in south Crete at the end of Kroutaliotis gorge.
The palm forest of Preveli is located below the monastery of Preveli, at the mouth of the Kourtaliótiko gorge. Behind the beach is an extensive forest of the endemic Cretan date palm Phoenix theophrasti.
This is the second largest palm forest in Crete after Vai in the Far East of the island.
It is probably the most popular beach of Crete with idyllic atmosphere surrounded by palm trees.
Since the river water comes directly from the mountains, the water is cool and refreshing in the blazing heat of summer.
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Leave from Rethymno follow the directions to Spili. Continue on this road and drive on until the village Akoumia.
Shortly after you\'re in the village, you will find a sign Triopetra. It will take you with a sharp left turn into the village and up in the mountains. Just follow the signs for Triopetra until you are over the mountain and down to Triopetra beach.
It is one of the best beaches in the area. There are tavernas where you can enjoy your drinks.
The sand is extremly thin and comfortable. In the center part -where the sunbeds are- you\'ll have easy access into the water without any big or sharp stones and other obstacles.
The beach is very suitable for families and for a relaxing swim and is therefore also loved by the locals.
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