Stavros Crete

Stavros (meaning “cross”) is a seaside village located 15km northeast of Chania, at the northernmost edge of Cape Akrotiri. The town hosts a beautiful tidal bay located under a huge mountain range, which provides a spectacular view whilst swimming. The mountain is famous for being one of the locations featured in the film, “Zorba the Greek,” where Anthony Quinn danced the famous Sirtaki Dance in 1964.

The main beach is located east of the village, at the foot of the mountain next to a picturesque harbor. It forms a circular bay, fully protected from the winds that blow in the region. The lagoon-like bay has marvelous, white sand and shallow, turquoise waters. The contrast of the rugged mountain with the peaceful beach in the foreground makes Stavros a unique place for swimming. As expected, the beach is very well organized and provides all possible services. Stavros has a second beach north of the village, 200m northwest of the main beach. It has a mixture of sand and rocks and is less organized than the first
Stavros has a couple of restaurants, a cafe and three local supermarkets. It is a lovely place to consider as a base if you want a quiet holiday, keeping in mind that it is best to have a car to explore the beaches around.

Tersanas 1,8 km
Tersanas is a small coastal village located northeast of Chania and hidden in a small cove on the west side of the Akrotiri peninsula. The area is well developed and is a popular destination for holidays.

Kalathas 4,8 km
The seaside village of Kalathas is located 12km northeast of Chania, in the heart of a large, natural bay on the Akrotiri peninsula, exposed to winds from the north. Kalathas is a relatively modern village, which has been inhabited by residents of Chania who wanted to live away from the city center.

Kounoupidiana 7,5 km
Kounoupidiana is the nearest large village on the way to Chania. It has everything you may need, such as atm machines, a bakery, a pharmacy, doctors, two very big supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, etc.

Stavros beach 3,4 km
The beach itself is a small lagoon which is relatively safe for children. It is away from the crowds, clean and fairly peaceful with a few restaurants and two local markets.

Small, sandy beach (no name) 2,3 km
Located on the way to Stavros beach and with a restaurant called Thanasis, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Secluded beach (no name) 3,2 km
Before Stavros beach, if you turn left and go directly to the sea, you will find a sandy beach on the shore and a rocky beach under the water. There is a strip without rocks to dive in. It is a perfect choice for adults who prefer quiet, as it is not a popular family beach. There is a restaurant offering greek-arabic-french food, which is the best choice.

Kalathas beach 4,8 km
This is a beautiful beach with fine sand and crystal-clear, shallow water. Opposite Kalathas, there is a small island easily reachable by swimming. Next to the beach, there are several palm trees that give an exotic feel to the landscape. Moreover, the beach is very well organized with umbrellas, water sports and restaurants.

The beach of Tersanas 1,8 km
Shaped inside a natural harbor, south-facing, it is a sandy beach with fine, white sand and crystal-clear, shallow water. It is quite small and often appears crowded, especially on weekends. It is equipped with umbrellas, sunbeds, a snack bar and showers. The calm water, combined with tourist facilities, make Tersanas ideal for family holidays.

The secluded beach of Machairida 1,4 km (attracts mainly nudists)
The bay faces southwest and is almost always calm. A stunning little beach with white sand and turquoise water is shaped in the center of the bay, surrounded by amazing rocks. The water here is deep and clear, because the sea currents change directions several times a day, removing rubbish in the process. It is not organized, but in recent years the building line has approached the beach.

Stefanou beach 16 km
Located near Seitan Limania (meaning “satan harbours”), this hidden gem is 22km northeast of Chania and 2km east of the village Chordaki, on the east side of Cape Akrotiri. Amidst a wild landscape, one would not expect to see something quite so serene and tranquil. In the northern cove lies a fantastic, tiny beach with deep azure waters. On the right and the left sides of the cove stand huge marble rocks, high enough to protect the beach from bad weather. This is a paradise, unknown to even the residents of Chania, preserved for the lucky residents of Chordaki village, who struggle to keep it safe, beautiful and clean.

Town of Marathi, 17km east of Chania, 5km east of Souda Bay
On the southeastern coast of the Akrotiri peninsula lies the popular resort-town, which attracts many visitors every summer. Marathi hosts two beautiful beaches with fine sand and calm, shallow waters, ideal for children. They are very well protected from the wind, as they are south-facing, with a nice view to Cape Drapanos and the White Mountains. The beaches are separated by a small pier, which serves as a harbor. They are well organized with all necessary amenities nearby.

Loutraki 16,5 km
Especially suitable for children. The village hosts a very nice, quiet beach with fine sand and crystal-clear, shallow waters under the deep shade of high trees. It is very well organized and provides all the common tourist amenities, On the other side of the beach lies a grassy area with a beach bar and restaurant, which often attracts a younger crowd.