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Stavros Beach, also known as Zorba’s Beach, is a beautiful beach located in the northern region of Chania, Crete, Greece, just 15 kilometers from the city of Chania. The mountain is famous for being featured in the film “Zorba the Greek” where Anthony Quinn danced the famous Sirtaki Dance in 1964. Stavros Beach is a favorite among travelers to Crete for its clear waters, golden sand, and stunning mountain scene across the bay. The 1000-foot craggy mountains jetting out of the cove create a dramatic view for visitors enjoying the coast of Stavros Beach.
Stavros Beach has all the facilities you would expect from a public beach, including restaurants, bathrooms, and sunbeds along the coast. There are also showers on each end of the beach and changing cabins available in between, making it easy and convenient to get out of your wet suits before hopping back in the car.
While sunbathing and swimming are popular activities at Stavros Beach, there are also many other things to do, such as snorkeling around the lagoon, hiking in the mountains of Akrotiri, and enjoying a sirtaki dance. Snorkeling is particularly fantastic at Stavros Beach, especially for children, as the ocean floor is rocky for a couple of meters, but then it’s calm water and a sandy ocean floor. The water is also very warm in the summer, and the beach is tucked away in a calm cove, so even children can enjoy snorkeling without the risk of being pulled out to sea.
Stavros Beach is located in Akrotiri at the northern tip of Chania and can be reached with a half-hour drive from the center of the city. The beach is situated at the foot of the camel-shaped mountain Vardies, which rises opposite the harbor of Stavros. Today, Stavros is a major tourist resort with many hotels and important tourist infrastructures.
The main beach of Stavros is located east of the village, next to the picturesque harbor, and a semicircular lagoon is formed, fully protected by winds blowing in the region. The small bay has marvelous white sand and shallow turquoise water, making it a unique place for swimming. The beach is well-organized and provides all possible services, while the second beach of Stavros is located north of the village, 200m northwest of the main beach. In summary, Stavros Beach is a beautiful place to relax away from the busy city of Chania, with its clean coastline, clear water, and stunning mountain views. With plenty of activities to do, such as sunbathing, snorkeling, hiking, and enjoying a sirtaki dance, Stavros Beach is definitely worth adding to your Chania itinerary
