Voyager Info Crete

03/07/2025

The sandy beach of Rethymno city is located just 500m east of the city centre, next to the Venetian port. It's a lovely beach with golden sand and crystal clear shallow water, very well organized and close to all amenities of the city. It is actually the westernmost end of the 13km long beachfront of Rethymno Bay, which stretches east all the way to Skaleta. The vast beach is always busy, but never seems too crowded..Along the beach runs the city's seafront road, Eleftheriou Venizelou Str., which is also ideal for evening walking.
It is needless to say that on the beach you will find services such as umbrellas, lifeguard, beach bars, showers, changing rooms, water sports, etc. But what you really should know is that the loggerhead sea turtle (Carretta carretta) lays its eggs on the beach. Thus, do not get surprised if you meet some places that have been marked with ropes; eggs have been found there and are protected by swimmers. The Rethymno Gulf is one of the three most important places for the loggerhead sea turtle in Greece with more than 400 nests every year.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Rethymnon beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/central-crete-beaches-rethymnon/rethymnon-city-beach

01/07/2025

29/06/2025

The seaside Monastery of Panagia Odigitria is located at the base of the peninsula Spatha, about 26km west of Chania and 2.5km north of Kolimbari. The monastery is also known as Lady of the Angels Monastery of Gonia (Gonia = Corner) due to its location on the western edge-corner of the bay of Chania.
The monastery was founded at this position in the 17th century and soon flourished as a rich monastic tradition was developed in Spatha and the monks soon gathered in Gonia. Gonia Monastery played an important role in local history. It has always been a shelter for the rebels of Crete and, thus, it was destroyed many times by the various conquerors. This is also witnessed by a canon ball stuck in the east wall.
The initial church of the 14th century is located in the current cemetery, near the present monastery complex. The complex is surrounded by a tall wall, resembling a Venetian castle. The temple is dedicated to the Virgin Hodhegetria (celebr. 15 August). All around there are several other buildings of the monastery (monk cells, abbey, dining room, stores, cellars, etc.). The monastery also houses the Orthodox Academy of Crete, gym, pool, schools, county court, etc. In the museum of the monastery you can see some very old icons (such these of Constantine Palaiokapas).
Great personalities served as monastery abbots. Among them was Misael Apostolidis, the Greek language teacher of the Greek King Otto and the first rector of the University of Athens. Others were Joachim Tzagarolos, Parthenios Kelaidis and Parthenios Pieridis
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Monastery of Odigitria Gonia cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/religious-monuments-on-crete/monasteries-in-crete/monastery-of-odigitria-gonia-kolimvari

28/06/2025

The beach of Vigglia is located 3km northwest of Kissamos town and 38km west of Chania. The beach starts from the church “Madonna of the Harbor” (Panagia) near the port of Kissamos, and extends along a 2km shore with coves, up to Kaliviani to the west. Vigglia's main beach is almost semicircular in shape, and has coarse sand and crystal-clear water In some parts; the sand in some places is interrupted by a few pebbles and rocks.
The beach does not offer massive touristic services, but there are a few hotels nearby and some basic amenities. Although Vigglia is not well organized, it has many fans that prefer the tranquility of the area and the clear sea. We would suggest it as a good family destination in West Crete.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Vigglia beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/west-crete-beaches/vigglia-beach-kissamos-gramvousa

27/06/2025

Tertsa is a small village located 91km south of Iraklion and 54km southwest of Agios Nikolaos, between the village of Myrtos and Psari Forada. It is situated in the green valley shaped by the river Tsounas. In the small gorge formed by the river, you can find a spring with fresh water. The land in Tertsa is mainly owned by some people coming from the village Sykologos, located 7.5km to the north. Initially, the buildings of the settlement were used as depots for storing the carobs and citrus produced in the region. Today, the few residents still deal with agriculture, as the area is full with greenhouses with bananas and open field cultivations of tomato, pepper, cucumber, etc. Near the village is the Byzantine church of St. George.
In front of the small settlement stretches a quiet beach with coarse gray sand. The village is not very well developed and still retains its Cretan authenticity. You will find only 2-3 taverns and very few rooms. There are some tamarisk trees in front on the settlement offering natural shade. On the west end of the beach there is the rock of Psaroharako, with the homonym remote beach formed beyond this rock. The beach is nicer and more secluded than this in front of the settlement and extends to the west to Vourdolakos bay.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Tertsa beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/central-crete-beaches-heraklion/tertsa-beach

26/06/2025

Mavros Kolimbos or Agios Panteleimon beach is located 51km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 16km east of Ierapetra. It is a small settlement near the shore, that has faced a mild development during the last decades. There are some rooms to rent around and some small taverns. Mavros Kolimbos is a nice beach with dark gray pebbles and usually calm water. The seabed is rocky in some places, making it ideal for snorkeling. It is totally unorganised, but there are some tamarisk trees around offering natural shade.
You can drive to here from Ierapetra by getting the main road heading east to Makrigialos, along the south coastline of Crete. There are also bus services to Makrigialos, that could stop in the area. If you come by car, it is worth visiting the nearby mountainous village of Orino at Thrypti Range and the Gorge of Red Butterflies. In the settlement, you can visit the church of Agios Panteleimonas, after which it takes its second name.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Mavros Kolimbos beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/east-crete-beaches-lassithi/mavros-kolimbos-beach

24/06/2025

Koumbes is located 2km west of the center of Rethymnon and is actually the only beach in the west part of the city. It has wonderful views to the imposing fortress of Fortezza, which is located a few hundred meters to the east. It is named after the Turkish word Kubbe that means “dome”. It is a long beach with sand and fine pebbles, which flourishes during the last years and its development has become a first priority for the Municipality of Rethymno. Indeed, major projects for the enhancement of the coastal area with walkways and similar interventions have been conducted.
In Koumbes you will find all the necessary touristic services, such as lifeguard, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, water sports, etc. Moreover, the area has many hotels, rooms, restaurants, taverns, snack bars and cafes. It can be accessed from the city center either by bus or walking. Walking, does not take more than 20 minutes.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Koumbes beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/central-crete-beaches-rethymnon/koumbes-beach-rethymno

23/06/2025

The beach of Kalyviani is located 1km north of the homonym traditional village at the base of Gramvousa Peninsula and 7km northwest of Kissamos town. This long beach is a good choice for swimming for the visitors of the picturesque village of Kaliviani, although it is not very popular to swimmers as it is generally stony with some small sandy parts. The beach should be definitely avoided during windy days, as large waves and rocky bottom make swimming risky.
Almost no touristic amenities are found on the beach, despite its short distance from Kissamos and Kaliviani village (where you can find hotels and taverns).
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Kaliviani beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/west-crete-beaches/kaliviani-beach-kissamos-gramvousa

19/06/2025

Panagia Bay is the most protected of all bays in Dia island, located 2km east of the main port of Agios Georgios and is surrounded by arid rocky slopes, full with oregano and Cretan herbs. If you are lucky you will see wild rabbits jumping from the shrubs; the island is full of them. A small beach with big pebbles is formed at the exit of the unique canyon in Dia. The name of Panagia (Virgin Mary) is taken after the cave of Panagia located east of the bay.
Panagia can be accessed by private boat or rented sailing boat, because the excursion ferries running to Dia visit mainly the bay of Agios Georgios. Moroever, the bottom is amazing and if you are careful while snorkeling, it is likely that you will notice broken pottery, maybe coming from an ancient shipwreck.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Panagia bay, Dia cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/central-crete-beaches-heraklion/panagia-beach,-dia

14/06/2025

Ahlia (or Achlia) is located 50km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 15km east of Ierapetra, in the territory of the village Schinokapsala. It is a small settlement in a small cove, surrounded by pine trees and steep slopes of Thrypti Range. In front of the cove stretches a beautiful beach with coarse sand and vivid blue water. The beach is slightly developed with some umbrellas, water sports and some rooms, mini markets and taverns closeby. There are many tamarisk trees around offering shade to the visitors and the sea is almost always flat. The area is ideal for peaceful holidays, especially for families.
West of Skinokapsala village, at position Kipos, starts the small and quite quite wide gorge of Achlia. The pine-wooded gorge finishes at the beach of Ahlia. During the winter months, waters from Thripti Range form a river along which there are several waterfalls (ranging from 5 to 8 meters high). Because the sandstone walls are not narrow, hiking is quite easy and no canyoning equipment is needed.
You can access Ahlia by getting the main road heading east to Makrigialos, along the south coastline of Crete, till you meet the sign to Ahlia. On the east of Ahlia, before Agios Panteleimonas settlement, you will meet the small beach Bonda or Grias Pidima.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Ahlia beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/east-crete-beaches-lassithi/ahlia-beach

13/06/2025

The beach of Kamari is located about 7km west of Rethymnon, near the village Gerani, at the exit of Vederi Gorge. The highway connecting Chania and Rethymnon runs along the shore and above the bridge of Gerani, next to the beach.
It's a relatively small beach with pebbles and rocks in places, which is preferred by snorkelers. While it is open to frequent north winds, it is slightly organized with a few umbrellas, taverns and rooms. Moreover, a small harbor and the picturesque church of Panagia Kamariani are located nearby.
Some meters south of the beach, you will see the locked door of the cave of Gerani, one of the most important of central Crete, which was discovered accidentally during the construction of the main road. In village of Gerani, you could walk in the picturesque narrow streets and visit the church of St George and the rest smaller churches.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Kamari beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/central-crete-beaches-rethymnon/kamari-beach-gerani-rethymno

10/06/2025

Tou Meri to Pigadi is located 8km northwest of Kissamos and 44km west of Chania, on the eastern side of Peninsula Gramvousa. The name means “Meri’s well”, probably named after the name of someone, who owned a well in the area. Meri Pigadi has three consecutive small protected bays, with fine pebbles and crystal clear deep waters. There are no facilities on the beaches; it is an ideal place to relax, away from the noise of cities.
There are few small trees, under which you can find shade. The first bay, just behind the ticket kiosk of Balos lagoon, is called Mouri Lakkos. To get to Meri’s Well, you have to walk or drive 1.5km into the dirt road that starts from Kaliviani and leads to the lagoon of Balos. If you visit the beaches, do not forget to have water with you.
1.5km north of Meri Pigadi, at position Kakia Skala, there is a small beach with fine pebbles and gorgeous deep blue water, adjacent to the eastern cliffs of the cape. Access to the beach is not easy, as the rocky cliffs make the descent impossible.
Πηγή: ⭐ Travel Guide for Island Crete ⛵, Greece❗ - Meri Pigadi beach cretanbeaches.com
https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/sea-tourism/west-crete-beaches/meri-pigadi-beach-gramvousa