Kolymvari beach
Kolymvari is a medium-sized coastal town in northwestern Crete, about 12 km west of Platanias. It lies at the foot of the Rodopou Peninsula and is the westernmost holiday resort along the popular Chania coast.
Kolymvari beach in general
Kolymvari beach is long and stretches eastwards towards the neighbouring town of Tavronitis. It is covered with pebbles and coarse sand, and its width varies along the coast. Sun loungers and parasols are available for hire in several sections, and there are also showers and parking close to the beach.
At the western end, breakwaters provide a more sheltered section of beach. The water here is often calmer than along the exposed part of the coast, and this is also where the beach is widest.
The low-rise buildings are relatively spread out, giving Kolymvari beach a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere. Looking northwest, there are beautiful views of the mountains on the Rodopou Peninsula.
Child-friendliness
Kolymvari is not one of the best beaches for young children. There are plenty of stones both on the beach and in the water, and the sea becomes relatively deep quite quickly in several places.
The sheltered section behind the breakwaters is the best choice for families, as the water is usually calm here. Swimming shoes are recommended for children along the entire beach.
Water sports
A water sports centre operates during the summer on the beach in front of the Avra Imperial Hotel. Activities include water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing and banana boat rides. Jet ski safaris are also available.
Restaurants by the beach
At the western end of the beach is a promenade with 4-5 restaurants. Here, visitors can enjoy lunch or dinner with beautiful views of the beach and sea. We have eaten at Edem Taverna several times. It serves very good fish dishes as well as a selection of other Mediterranean specialities.
Kolymvari holiday resort
Kolymvari is a relatively quiet holiday resort, with plenty of space between the hotels. Its small centre has a selection of shops, cafés and restaurants, as well as car hire and a large supermarket. There are good bus connections to both Platanias and Chania, where the choice of shops and entertainment is considerably greater.
The 5-star Avra Imperial Beach is the obvious choice for a luxurious stay, while the recently renovated Selini Suites & Waterpark is a lovely all-inclusive hotel for families. It has its own small water park with plenty of water slides.
A short distance north of Kolymvari is the historic Gonia Monastery, which overlooks the sea and can be reached on foot from the town. Kolymvari’s western location also makes it a convenient base for trips to Falasarna and Balos, two of Crete’s most beautiful natural beaches.
Watch our video from Kolymvari
Kolymvari map
Kolymvari lies beside the mountainous Rodopou Peninsula, which sometimes helps to shelter the beach from wind and waves. Move the map eastwards to see the other holiday resorts along the Chania coast.
