One of the best things about staying in Rethymno’s old town is that you do not have to choose between history and the sea. The town beach is less than 10 minutes on foot from our door, and within an hour’s drive you reach some of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, on two different seas.
Below are our favourites, from the closest to the furthest, with what each one is really like.
All the beaches at a glance
| Beach | Distance from the old town | Sand or pebbles |
|---|---|---|
| Rethymno town beach | 600 m | Sand |
| Koumbes | 1.8 km | Pebbles and rock |
| Platanias | 6 km | Sand |
| Adelianos Kampos | 6 km | Sand |
| Petres | about 13 km | Sand and pebbles |
| Episkopi | about 14 km | Sand |
| Geropotamos | about 20 km | Pebbles |
| Panormo | about 20 km | Sand |
| Georgioupoli | 22 km | Sand |
| Bali | about 32 km | Sand coves |
| Preveli | about 35 km | Sand and pebbles |
| Damnoni | about 37 km | Sand |
| Plakias | 39 km | Sand |
| Triopetra | about 50 km | Sand and pebbles |
| Agios Pavlos | about 58 km | Sand and dunes |
Distances are approximate and measured from Rethymno old town. Road distances to the south coast are longer than they look on the map, so allow about an hour.
Within walking distance
Rethymno town beach (600 m)
A long stretch of golden sand that starts just east of the marina, past the Venetian harbour and runs east for kilometres. Near town it is organised, with lifeguards, sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and beach bars along the promenade. The further east you walk, the quieter it gets. The water deepens gradually, which makes it a good choice for families.
Good to know: on windy days, the waves can be strong. Watch the lifeguard flags, and on red-flag days head for the south coast instead.
Koumbes (1.8 km)
West of the Fortezza, the coast turns rocky. Koumbes is a string of small pebbly coves with clear, deep water, a couple of tavernas and some of the best sunsets in town. It is where many locals swim after work. Bring water shoes.
Tip from your hosts: walk to Koumbes about an hour before sunset, swim, then stay for dinner at one of the tavernas on the water. You will be back in the old town in 20 minutes.
A short drive east
East of the town beach, the coast becomes one long sandy strip with different names along the way. These are easy to reach by car, bike or the local bus along the coast road:
- Platanias (6 km): wide sand, lots of sunbeds and beach bars, plenty of hotels behind it.
- Adelianos Kampos (6 km): long and lively in summer, with tavernas and water sports.
Further east, the scenery changes:
- Geropotamos (about 20 km): a pebbly cove where a river meets the sea under an old stone bridge. Wild, beautiful and with few facilities.
- Panormo (about 20 km): a pretty fishing village with small sandy beaches and good tavernas by the harbour.
- Bali (about 32 km): a village built around several small sandy coves with clear, calm water. Busy in August, lovely the rest of the summer.
A short drive west
- Petres and Episkopi (about 13–14 km): one long, open beach west of town, much quieter than the beaches to the east. At Petres a small river flows into the sea. Good for long walks and space to yourself.
- Georgioupoli (22 km): a long sandy beach with a village, a river with ducks and a tiny chapel on a rock reached by a narrow causeway. Easy for families. Nearby is Lake Kournas (25 km), Crete’s only freshwater lake, where you can hire a pedal boat and spot turtles.
Day trips to the south coast
When the north wind brings waves to Rethymno, the south coast is usually calm. It is about an hour’s drive across the mountains, and the road through the Kotsifou or Kourtaliotiko gorge is part of the experience.
- Preveli: the most famous beach in the region. A palm forest and a river run down to the sea below the historic Preveli Monastery. From the parking area it is a steep path down (about 15 minutes) and a harder climb back up, so bring water. Protected area: take all your rubbish with you.
- Plakias: a relaxed village with a long sandy beach and tavernas right by the water. A good base for the day.
- Damnoni: a sheltered sandy bay next to Plakias with shallow, turquoise water. Great for children.
- Triopetra: wide, wild and quiet, named after the three rocks that rise from the sea. A few tavernas, a lot of space.
- Agios Pavlos: sand dunes that slide down to the sea and a small bay below the cliffs. One of the most unusual landscapes in Crete.
Tips for a beach day
- Check the wind. If the north is wavy, go south, and the other way round.
- Go early. In July and August the best spots fill up by late morning.
- Car or bike? You do not need a car in town, but it makes the beaches outside Rethymno much easier. We can arrange car or bike rental for you.
- Bring water shoes for Koumbes, Geropotamos and the pebbly coves.
- Respect nature. Preveli and the dunes of Agios Pavlos are protected. Leave nothing behind.
Back to town
After a day by the sea, nothing beats a shower and a quiet evening on your own balcony in the old town. If you have only a couple of days, see our plan for 2 days in Rethymno, and for dinner ideas, read where to eat in Rethymno.
Find the suite that suits you on our suites page.
Questions & answers
Can you swim in Rethymno town?
Yes. Rethymno’s town beach starts just east of the marina, past the Venetian harbour and runs east for kilometres. It is sandy, with lifeguards, sunbeds, showers and beach bars near town, and it is about 600 m (under 10 minutes on foot) from the suites.
Which is the best beach near Rethymno?
It depends on what you want. For convenience, the town beach. For clear water and a sunset swim, Koumbes. For a wide sandy beach with fewer people, Petres or Episkopi. For the most beautiful scenery, Preveli on the south coast, with its palm forest and river.
Why is the sea so wavy in Rethymno?
In summer the strong northerly wind (the meltemi) often blows on the north coast of Crete and brings waves to the town beach. On those days the south coast, sheltered by the mountains, is usually much calmer. Always follow the lifeguard flags.
How do I get to Preveli beach from Rethymno?
Preveli is about 35 km south of Rethymno, roughly an hour by car across the mountains. Park above the beach and walk down a steep path (about 15 minutes down, a little longer back up). In summer there are also boats from Plakias and Agia Galini, and many organised excursions.
Do I need a car for the beaches near Rethymno?
Not for the town beach or Koumbes, which are walkable. For the beaches further east, local buses run along the coast road. For the west and south coasts a car is much easier, and we can arrange car or bike rental for you.
