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Menies Beach

Platanias, Chania · Free

Route

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Organised

Nicht organisiert

Atmosphere

Abgelegen

Characteristics

Sandig

Access

Schotterpiste

About

A small secluded beach at the tip of the Rodopos peninsula, near an ancient temple.

Menies is a small sandy beach on the north east corner of the Rodopos peninsula. Until recently the dirt road was very rough, so few people came. The ruins of the ancient sanctuary of Diktynna lie right by the beach.

Until recently the dirt road was very rough, so the beach is still quiet. There are no facilities. It's a beautiful, wild place, best reached by four-wheel drive or by boat.

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 28 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 49 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