Sandstrände

Koumbes Beach

Rethymno, Rethymno · Free

Route

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Characteristics

Sandig

Facilities

Parkplatz

About

A long sandy beach 2 km west of Rethymno, often a bit wavy.

Koumbes has fine golden sand with some big rocks and shallow but often wavy water. Some sunbeds and plenty of tavernas nearby.

Koumbes is a long stretch of sand about 2 km west of Rethymno, running along the old road towards Chania. It faces north and catches the wind, which means the water is often a bit wavy, but on calm days it's lovely.

Many tavernas and fish restaurants line the road behind the beach, some with tables right by the water. It's popular with locals in the evening, when the sun sets over the bay. The town and its old harbour are a short drive or a long walk away.

The area around Rethymno town mixes a lively Venetian old town with a long sandy coast and quiet villages in the hills. To the east, the beach runs for kilometres past Platanes and Adelianos Kampos, where loggerhead turtles nest in summer. Inland, villages such as Chromonastiri, Myloi, Atsipopoulo and Maroulas have old Venetian houses and tavernas with views. The Arkadi monastery and ancient Eleftherna are less than half an hour away. Try the local snails, staka with eggs and the town's famous pastries.

Around Rethymno

North coast, on the Cretan Sea
Nearest town: Rethymno, about 3 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 44 km by road

Rethymno sits between the mountains and two seas, and it is the easiest region to combine with the rest of the island. Its old town and Fortezza are among the best preserved on Crete, with Venetian doorways, Ottoman wooden balconies and a long sandy beach right next to the centre. More about Rethymno