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Glyka Nera beach, meaning sweet waters in Greek, is a stunning beach located in southern Crete, surrounded by the deep-blue waters of the Libyan Sea. The beach is named after the fresh-water springs that gush at its shore, creating a unique combination of sweet and salty waters. The location of the beach, hidden off the slopes of the Sfakia region, adds to its beauty, with the source of the fresh water situated at the Sfakia mountain range, forming cliffs as high as 500 metres above the beach.
Glyka Nera is a secluded beach that lies between the town of Sfakia (4 km west) and the village of Loutro, 77 km south of Hania. The beach can only be reached by boat or via a trail for experienced trekkers, as this path has challenging sections. Adventurous travellers who make the effort to reach Glyka Nera are rewarded with the discovery of a stunning beach. In 2003, this beach was rated among Europe’s 20 best by The Times of London, despite the fact that such lists tend to focus on beaches that are easier to reach.
The beach is covered with white pebbles and is serviced, offering visitors umbrellas and sunbeds at a cost. However, there is also considerable free space where visitors can use their own beach umbrellas and mats. Nudism is permitted at the eastern side of the beach, and tamarisks offer plenty of natural shade slightly to the back, though finding vacant spots can be challenging.
The waters at Glyka Nera are truly superb and almost always calm due to the location’s protection from winds. The waters feature various shades of blue, mostly dark blue, and are deep, offering a sense of crystal-clear perfection. The fresh-water springs injecting into the sea make the waters at Glyka Nera chillier than usual and less salty. These coastal fresh-water springs also serve as natural showers for washing salt off after a swim, adding to the location’s overall beauty. It is recommended to use a diving mask at this beach for exploring the interesting seabed, which is rocky and hosts plenty of fish.
Another feature of Glyka Nera beach is Mermaid Island, a small taverna built on a rock at the western edge of the beach. A deck connects the taverna to the beach, offering a limited but fine range of foods, including fresh grilled fish, pies, chicken souvlaki, steak, freshly cut fried potato chips, handmade zucchini fritters, coffee and ice cream. During summer’s peak, finding a free table at this spot is not easy, so patience is required.
To reach Glyka Nera, visitors can either take a boat or trek via the E4 European network trail, starting 2.5 km from Sfakia town in a direction headed towards Anopoli. The trek takes between 35 and 40 minutes to cover and is recommended for experienced trekkers who are fit, equipped with a hat, good sunscreen, water (needed for the way back), and durable sports shoes. Trekking experience is also needed as directions are offered by black-and-yellow signs on rocks. The same route can also be taken from Loutro, but it is a longer and more demanding stretch requiring approximately an hour to cover and even greater trekking experience. If afraid of heights, it is not recommended to attempt this longer route from Loutro as one section runs along the edge of a cliff. Overall, visiting Glyka Nera beach is an adventure and a treat for those seeking a unique and secluded beach experience in Crete.
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