One of the nicest things about staying in Spili is being close to both seas: the Libyan Sea on the south coast and the Cretan Sea in the north. The south-coast beaches are the nearest, most of them 25–30 minutes away by car. Drive times below are from Fontana Leone.
Preveli palm beach and river lagoon
About 25 minutes. A palm forest where the river meets the Libyan Sea, with a freshwater lagoon behind the beach. A steep path with steps leads down from the parking area, so wear proper shoes and take water. On the way you drive through Kourtaliotiko gorge, which is worth a stop.
Triopetra and the dunes of Agios Pavlos
About 30 minutes. Three imposing rocks give Triopetra its name; next door, Agios Pavlos has huge, desert-like sand dunes running down to the sea. Long beaches with plenty of space.
Damnoni, Ammoudi and Plakias
About 25 minutes (22 km). The sandy bays of Damnoni and Ammoudi lie next to Plakias. Stop at the small chapel of Saint Paisios above the bays for one of the best views on the coast.
Further along the south coast
- Matala: about 50 minutes. The famous beach with sandstone cliff caves.
- Agiofaraggo: about 1 h 10 min. A walk through the “Gorge of the Saints” leads to a quiet pebble beach. Bring water and good shoes.
Day trips to famous beaches
With a full day, you can reach some of the best-known beaches of Crete: Seitan Limania (about 1 h 15 min), Elafonisi and Balos in the west, and Vai in the east. See them all on our Places page.
Tips for the south coast
- The south coast can be windy on some days. If the sea is rough at one beach, another one facing a different direction may be calmer.
- Take water, sun protection and shoes for the paths: some of the best beaches are reached on foot.
- Combine a beach with a gorge or a village on the way back: everything is close together.