The scenic Stavros beach (means cross in Greek) is located about fifteen kilometers from the city of Chania in the north end of the Cape Arkrotiri Peninsula.

In the past a simple fishing village, after the famous film “Zorbas the Greek” with the actor Anthony Quinn where he ‘turned’ the scene while dancing the Sirtaki, it began its urban development becoming today a very sought after and with many accommodation facilities ranging from hotels to holiday apartments. Let’s say that even the traditional dance after the film has begun to be more popular all over the world, much appreciated and requested by visitors when they come for their holidays in Greece and woe to leave without having attended or attended at least once in this ancient and magical dance-like feelings.

A paradisiacal semi-circular shaped lagoon at the foot of Mount Vardies protected from the winds by the hills that surround it, offers two beaches, one larger and one smaller. The landscape is unique, the contrast of the wild mountain with the quiet beach and a sea of changing colors, makes Stavros beach a small paradise.

The main beach called Gold Coast Bay which borders the Lera quarry overlooking the basin that during the Venetian era provided the limestone with which the protective walls of the city of Chania were built, divides the two coasts and is perfect for families with children as the presence of the wind is almost absent and the gently sloping sandy bottoms make it a safe place for the little ones as well as a natural pool for lovers of long swims.

An expanse of fine white sand with very clean, transparent turquoise blue waters that change according to the reflections of the light and the shadow of the mountain. The beach awarded with the Blue Flag is partly equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas for about € 10 per day, while it is partly free. A few typical taverns where you can enjoy excellent fresh fish supplied by the fishermen present at the small pier near the hill and some bars where you can find a drink or a quick meal. If after lunch you take a walk towards the cliff, the landscape changes becoming rocky, the waters deeper and between the rocks of the natural mounds of salt. For your vehicles there is a completely free parking.

The second beach, about two hundred meters north-west from the larger beach, is more exposed to winds and therefore ideal on the hottest days when the breeze is a real godsend even if it sometimes makes the sea a little ‘moved. Less crowded than its sister, it also has a beach of fine sand with rocks in some points but always with a sea with exotic colors and even cleaner. It is partially equipped and given its small size, the offer is not so generous so if you want to have the comforts of sunbeds and umbrellas, it is better to go to the loft in the morning. At the center of the coast there is a nice tavern a simple wooden hut with a palm leaf roof where you can savor the classic Cretan dishes such as dakos, or excellent fish and even dishes with a Middle Eastern flavor.

A curiosity, the hill at the far end of the bay is known as Hollywood, for the Academy Award nomination for the film Zorbas the Greek was held at its foot.

It really is very simple. From Chania you have to go in the direction of the Akrotiri Peninsula to the north and following the signs for the village of Stavros and Kalathas, you will arrive in about twenty kilometers at your destination passing through expanses of olive trees and dwarf vines typical of the island of Crete.

If you do not have your own transport, from Chania there are public buses that arrive in Stavros every day. Always consult the timetables which may vary according to the period.

To put on the list of things to see in Crete I recommend!