Kiesstrände

Kolymvari Beach

Platanias, Chania · Free

Route

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Organised

Teilweise organisiert

Characteristics

Kiesel

Good for

Familienfreundlich

Facilities

About

A long beach of sand and fine pebbles at the start of the Rodopos peninsula.

Kolymvari is a fishing village at the base of the Rodopos peninsula with a long beach that rarely gets crowded. Clean, shallow blue water and views across the Chania gulf. The 17th century Gonia monastery is right next to the village.

The Gonia monastery, founded in the 17th century, stands just outside the village and has a fine collection of icons. Kolymvari is known for its fish tavernas, and it's a good starting point for walks on the Rodopou peninsula.

The Platanias area stretches along the coast west of Chania, with a string of lively resorts such as Agia Marina, Platanias and Maleme, and long sandy beaches facing the island of Thodorou. Inland, the land rises quickly into green valleys, orange groves and mountain villages where life is slow. This area saw fierce fighting in the Battle of Crete in May 1941, remembered at the Maleme cemetery and in many village memorials. It's a convenient base, with Chania only a short drive away.

Around Platanias

North coast, on the Cretan Sea
Nearest town: Kissamos, about 16 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 43 km by road

The west of Crete is the island at its most dramatic. Chania has the most beautiful Venetian old town on Crete, wrapped around a harbour with a lighthouse and a domed mosque. In the evening the narrow lanes of Splantzia and the old Jewish quarter fill up with tavernas and small bars. More about Chania