Stavros Beach
Stavros Beach
3.5
About
Located on the northern end of the Akrotiri Peninsula, this beach is best known as the spot where the iconic sirtaki dance scene in 'Zorba the Greek' was filmed. This crescent bay sits at the foot of Stavros Mountain, and its clear shallow waters and sheltered bay makes it great for families You can rent sun loungers on the beautiful white sandy beach, though note that it can be slightly more expensive than other beaches in Chania. It gets busy in summer too, so get there early if you want to snag a good spot. You can visit this beach after exploring the nearby Holy Trinity Monastery and Gouverneto Monastery on a tour of Chania. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Julie E
    249 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Fantastic beach!!
    We had a fabulous time at Stavros beach. We used our beach towels and umbrellas. The reviews are complaining about the price if the sunbeds and umbrella. The company has reduce the price from 40 to 25 for both beds including water. The snorkeling on the beach is very good, lots of marine life in the sea. The water is deep in places. There is a lifeguard service on the beach. There are lots of plastic on the bed of the sea. There are a few restaurants around to eat.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 4 August 2024
  • Arnisa G
    Tirana, Albania44 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very nice but it can get overcrowded
    Very nice beach but it can get overcrowded. Opt for the part closer to the mountain bay. The making of Zorba the Greek movie does make it trendy for tourists, but it’s not necessarily a tourist trap. Water on the mountain side was great and it is a good place for snorkelling. Come early if you want to find proper parking.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 8 August 2024
  • carolyn30shetland
    Pylonas, Greece31 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great beach, avoid the sunbeds.
    We visited this beach last year, it’s beautiful, lovely sand and a good place to swim. Don’t bother with the sunbeds they are a ripoff. Last year 30 euros, which we didn’t pay, nearby beaches are 15 euros for sunbeds, this year 40 euros for front row sunbeds, the same guy who is very rude, has a take it or leave it attitude, making money from a beach used in a film 60 years ago, who cares? Also he thinks he’s giving you the earth, 2 small bottles of water, big deal!! They are only 50 cents a large bottle at the shop.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 September 2024
  • Srdan
    Cacak, Serbia63 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Unforgettable Experience
    We visited this beach while exploring Chania region. Of all beaches on Akrotiri peninsula this is my favourite. Nice sand, crystal clear water and amazing cliffs around the beach make the entire experience unforgettable. I hope I will return there again.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 September 2024
  • Jan F
    Helsinki, Finland203 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful sandy beach
    A beautiful beach with a scenic backdrop and a nice restaurant nearby. The sunchairs in the first row cost 35 euros per pair which I think is very reasonable. The sea bottom is a little rocky.
    Visited September 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 September 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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3.5
3.5 of 5 bubbles991 reviews
Excellent
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Giuseppe M
25 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
A beautiful beach and a fantastic landscape! Water is transparent and the red brown hill mirrors in the sea water giving green nuances! Really really beautiful.
Unfortunately, sun umbrellas are uncomfortable. The don't protect from the sun, as they are perforated. Moreover, they are short and the shadowed area is very small even for a single bed.
Prices have increased with respect to what you can read on internet. Now, it's €25 for an umbrella (as described above) and two beds, with €5 more for an extra bed.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jogousa2580
Prague, Czech Republic39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Friends
Lera Cave is located about 70 meters above Zorbas beach - you can see it while lounging at the beach. This 76 yrs old made it up in about an hour. Those in good physical condition can make it in 20 minutes. Take the zigzag goat trail early morning before the sun hits the hill. A breathtaking view of Stavros bay and Chania from the cave entrance.
If you want to fully explore the cave bring a strong flashlight. Cell phone flash light isn’t sufficient. You can crawl inside through two holes. Unfortunately the entrance walls are defaced with ever present graffiti that are so common in Greece. Highly recommended vigorous walk.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scott E
Chicago, IL61 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
We took a taxi from downtown Chania to Stavros Beach for 20 euro (one way). The ride took 30 minutes and was worth it. Gorgeous sand beach with beds/umbrellas for rent (12 euro for 2 beds and an umbrella). There are smooth rocks when you get into the water but the water is crystal clear. The beach was not crowded at all. There are several small restaurants within walking distance to the beach. The taxi ride from Stavros Beach to the cruise port (Souda) was 35 euro. I would recommend this beach for anyone who wants to get away from the crowds and enjoy a pleasant day at the beach.
Written 5 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BlightyEngland
England152 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Family
Let me first say that Stavros beach is a beautiful place to visit.But there is a But and it’s a big But for families on a budget.
The sun loungers with umbrella are €25,and so as a family we were asked for €50.
Last year it was € 10 for sun beds and parasol.
Needless to say we turned down their offer and went around the corner to a nicer beach where sun beds were €12….and in Crete that is still expensive.
We had a quick look at the restaurant prices and they had gone up exponentially as well.
My advice……there are lots of much better beaches in the Chania region that offer good value for money.
Fuel in Crete is expensive so do not waste it going to Stavros.
Written 6 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bgtoca
Vancouver, Canada129 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
I really liked this beach. If you come early in the morning, there are hardly any people. Its a mostly sandy beach with some rocky areas, and an imposing, mostly barren mountain adjacent to it. Makes for great photos. There is a calm, shallow area ideal for kids, and some rocks for those who like to snorkel as small fish sometimes take refuge near the rocks. If you are looking for a beach with a lot of waves, big waves, or a lot of water sports, well this is not it. You can buy overpriced food and drinks of mediocre quality at the beach. There are also bathrooms if you need them. If you would like an umbrella and 2 chairs, it will cost you 20 Euro, which is criminal. Overall it's a nice beach close to Chania. Its less busy than the beach that is near the old Venetian harbor. Best to rent a car to explore the island and to get here. FYI, this is the place where the classic movie Zorba the Greek was filmed.
Written 17 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
Tragic situation shame for all the times they leave this situation. On the beach they ask 30 euros for a set of tragic umbrellas. without having been told anything else and he started insulting us that we will sit here all day with only drinks etc... Before we have time to talk the owner appears cursing us to leave and threatening to see us..... in front of the 2 little kids......this has never happened before......shame on everyone out there for letting gangsters threaten families.....go away
Google
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Μαρία Α
15 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
The beach is wonderful, crystal clear waters.
Sunbeds do harm to the beach, and discredit the Greeks. €40 a set for an umbrella armor and two simple sunbeds is at least tragic and a mockery. They deserve that they are empty and most people get up and leave as soon as they know the price.
Google
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marco
Ringsheim, Germany2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
The loungers are absolutely overpriced (40€) and as relaxing as sitting alone in a restaurant on a Saturday night! It's better to take a parasol with you and lay with the locals! Beautiful beach with a great atmosphere! As for lunch: it's better to drive a little inland! Not everywhere that says "Mama" actually has Mama in the kitchen ;-)
Google
Written 26 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SnappyJanner
25 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2021 • Couples
Beach and water is full of plastic and trash, sunloungers 25€ with no option to buy a single and the guy was quite rude. With 6€ a beer and 25€ sun loungers this guy is benefitting from the beach enough that he should clean it. Appalling behaviour.
Written 7 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PA_in_the_uk
London, UK24 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Friends
We've been to Stavros beach for the last four summers running in august and the prices are getting a little out of hand now. It goes up from €30 for an umbrella and two loungers in July to €40 for an umbrella and two loungers in August. At first I thought the guy was kidding and then I thought he was just taking us for a ride as tourists but then I heard him fighting with Greeks about the price who were outraged as well. That's silly expensive for loungers in Crete and easily double if not triple what we paid elsewhere. On top of that the umbrellas are mesh and let a fair amount of sun through so if you really want to block the sun you have to drape a town over the umbrella. It's a great beach but you'll have to decide if it's worth the price. Personally, we'll skip it next year. There are other great beaches.
Written 14 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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STAVROS BEACH (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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