Rethymno Beach – The 8 most beautiful beaches in & around Rethymno

Rethymno › Beaches › Rethymno Beach – The 8 most beautiful beaches in & around Rethymno

Are you planning a vacation in Crete specifically in the port city of Rethymno? My guide will show you the 8 most beautiful beaches in and around Rethymno that you absolutely must visit—from quiet coves to lively beach clubs.

Then you’ve found just the right article to discover some new beaches that are definitely worth a visit.

Rethymno features a stunning coastline with a 12 km stretch of organized, fine-sand beach extending east from the town center, featuring cafes and water sports. Popular spots include the central Rethymno Beach, family-friendly Panormos, and the scenic, palm-fringed Preveli in the south.

Table of Contents

Overview – Best Beaches in Rethymno

• Rethymno City Beach (Town, Perivolia & Platanes): A long, fully equipped sandy beach accessible directly east from town with lounge chairs, and water sports options.
• Preveli Beach (South): Stunning Beach famous for its palm forest and a river flowing into the sea, offering a unique natural landscape.
• Plakias Beach (South): A large, well-equipped sandy cove beach with water sports and nearby local taverns.

I took a day to drive to all beaches and will give you some quick facts about every single one of them here:

Rethymno – Beaches Nearby

Some easy to access beaches can be found in direct vicinity to Rethymno. The city beach was my first stop and is located just within walking distance from the old town.

Rethymno Beach

Rethymno: A well-equipped sandy beach stretching over 20 km, extending eastward from the town of Rethymno to the villages of Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Kampos, and Skaleta. Here you’ll find both well-equipped sections with lounge chairs, water sports, and beach bars, as well as secluded, quiet spots.

Platanes Beach

I drove about ten minutes further down the beach side road to reach Platanes Beach. I found that beach less busy. There are fewer bars and restaurants here right by the sea, but a mini market or taverna is always within reach.

Spilies Beach

Next for me was Spilies some 15 minute drive from the towen centre. Geropotamos Beach is a hidden gem near Rethymno, something truly special that I was really impressed with. It’s a small cove surrounded by large rocks and caves, which is why it bears this name. You can reach the beach by car. Coming via the motorway, you have to take a short exit and go down a slightly rocky but asphalted road to reach the small parking lot.

• Location: Spilies Beach

Spilies Facts:

• Travel time from Rethymno: 15 minutes
• Infrastructure: Beach shakc serving snack & refreshments, sun loungers, toilets
• Parking: Somewhat limited space (free)
• Best for: Scenic experience not far from town

It is a managed beach with lounge chairs and umbrellas, as well as a small canteen, so you can stock up on essentials during your time at the beach. It consists of pebbles, and the water has a beautiful blue-green color that, combined with the imposing rocks, offers a magnificent and exotic landscape. If you continue eastward, you’ll find Geropotamos Beach, named after the river that flows into the sea, and Panormo Beach, near the picturesque fishing village of Panormo.

Geropotamos Beach

Our next beach is the neighboring bay of Geropotamos: The beach is named after the river of the same name (and the former municipality Geropotamos), which flows into the sea at the eastern end of the beach. When I visited end of April, the beach was largely empty. Even though in direct vicinity to a bridge with traffic, it was not noisy in any way.

• Location: Geropotamos Beach

Geropotamos Facts:

• Travel time from Rethymno: 20 minutes
• Infrastructure: Wild Beach with no infrastructure
• Parking: Plenty of space at no charge
• Best for: Wild nature lovers

The small beach is sandy and has crystal-clear water, which is very cool thanks to the river that carries water year-round and forms a small, deep lake near the shore. It is modestly equipped with umbrellas and a snack bar offering refreshments, coffee, water, and food. Despite being easily accessible, it is always quiet and not crowded here. However, the orientation of the coast makes it susceptible to north winds.

Rethymno – Beaches on the South Coast

Following the beaches close to Rethymno, I made my way to the southern coast area of Plakias with great expectations for some really beautiful spots there. I stopped at at Taverna Zisis for lunch just before setting off. You should calculate about 1 hour to get to the south.

Plakias Beach

Driving south, the easiest spot to reach is Plakias, a small fishing village in a wider bay with hills rising around it. The most organized beach of the southern side gives you the opportunity to try water sports. More secluded beaches include nearby include Souda beach, Damnoni, Ammoudi, Klisidi and Shinaria. Those are more suitable for calm nature experiences and relaxing days by the sea.

Preveli Beach

Just before the Monastery of Preveli, a rocky hiking trail leads you down for about 15 minutes until you will reach the most famous beach in the region – Preveli Beach. This palm fringed paradise sits right at the mouth of thre river Kourtaliotis. You can walk 500m into the gorge following the river bed to explore the palm forest. Be warned, this spot is always rather busy.

Kalypso Beach

My next stop was Kalypso which was still deserted end of April. Pirates took refuge inside this sheltered bay which is a narrow cove, formed between high rising vertical cliffs. The tiny beach shaped here has sand at its starting point and does not exceed 2m in width. It deepens abruptly into a deep rocky harbor. . You can find sunbeds and umbrellas to rent on the smooth rocks surrounding the fjordlike bay. Kalypso is one of the best places for snorkeling in Crete! A footpath along the rocks takes you to neighboring Damnoni beach if you want to get there walking.

Damnoni Beach

Damnoni Beach is located just further east and comes with a very chill vibe, accommodation options right next to the beach, water sports and diving opportunities. The last metres of the road there are quite rocks, so I parked a little uphill. I can imagine staying here for a couple of days given the convenient location and all mod cons in easy reach.

Ammoudi Beach

Ammoudi beach is located 4km east of Plakias. To get here, I followed a paved road passing through the village of Lefkogia. You will find a quiet seaside escape with cypress shade, crystal clear water, a friendly beach café and municipal showers & WC.

Walking westwards I found two more small bays – Mikro Ammoudi Beach and the narrow Klisidi Beach. Picturesque Klisidi is a true hidden gem.

Skinaria Beach

Skinaria is a small beach 8km east of Plakias and and 35km from Rethymno with soft light gray sand and crystal blue deep water. The sand here to me was most beautiful fine one of all the beaches around Rethymno that I visited. The seabed is rocky, but on the north part of the beach, it is sandy. The seabed is most suited to diving: during the season from Mai to October, a diving centre runs both day and night-time explorations. The spot is pretty organized and you will find umbrellas, sunbeds and showers, whilst close by is a lovely taverna.

I hope my guide has given you a little insight into my top beaches around Rethymno. There really is a beach here to suit every type of traveler. Whether you just want to relax on a beautiful sandy beach or would rather explore the surroundings.