Kolokytha Beach
- Secluded
- Turquoise
- Worth the detour
A secluded, unspoiled cove near Elounda with crystal-clear water and no sunbeds in sight — one of the most quietly beautiful beaches in the Agios Nikolaos area.
- Secluded
- Turquoise
- Worth the detour
Kolokytha sits on a small islet-like peninsula connected to the mainland, and the landscape on the way in sets it apart immediately — old water mills, salt flats, wetlands, and the chapel of Agios Loukas above the beach. It doesn't feel like a typical beach approach, and that's part of the appeal. There are no umbrellas or sunbeds once you arrive — just cliffs, clear water, and a natural setting that feels genuinely removed from the organised resort beaches that dominate much of the coastline.
The small island of Kolokytha sits directly across from the beach, with Spinalonga — the former Venetian fortress and leper colony — visible nearby and accessible by boat. It's worth combining the two if time allows: a morning at the beach followed by a boat trip across to Spinalonga makes for one of the more memorable days out in eastern Crete. The beach is best reached by car from Elounda, with a short walk down to the water from the car park near the chapel. Bring water and whatever you need for the day — facilities are minimal, which is precisely the point.
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