Kedrodasos Beach

Located on the southwest of Chania on the island of Crete in Greece, Kedrodasos Beach is a 340-meter long and 46-meter-wide white sand beach with many scattered rocks.  The beach is adjacent to a popular Elafonissi Beach along the Libyan Sea and has a beautiful backdrop of rocky outcrops, sand dunes, and coastal vegetation, including juniper trees and sea daffodils.  The beach is divided into several unnamed smaller coves and bays and is part of the European Union's Natura 2000 network to ensure the survival of Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats.

Kedrodasos Beach Crete does not have lifeguards, or any other amenities, so plan your trip accordingly.

Kedrodasos Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, sailing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, paddleboarding, photography, picnicking, and boating.  If you plan to go into the water, the waves are usually calm, making it a perfect spot for swimming.  The water near the beach is shallow and calm, ideal for canoes, kayaks, and small boats.  If you want to enjoy snorkeling, the shallow waters and clear visibility allow divers and snorkelers to explore a diverse array of fish, corals, and other marine creatures.  Visitors may spot sea turtles nesting and foraging in their natural habitat in the waters around Kedrodasos Beach. 

It is a popular spot to go surfing due to the frequent windy Kedrodasos Beach weather, as the beach is protected from south winds, creating favorable conditions for surfers.  The beach is known for its unique combination of white sand, turquoise waters, a surrounding natural forest of juniper trees, and interesting rock formations, adding to its rugged beauty and making it a photographer's delight.  In addition, there are many points near the beach known for taking the best Kedrodasos Beach photos, particularly from the hills above the beach. 

Since no permit is required for Kedrodasos camping, numerous visitors pitch their tents amid the trees to enjoy the shade.   This beach is often considered an unofficial nude beach, especially towards the far ends, making it a favorite beach for naturists.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  The beach is ideal for visitors looking for a tranquil beach experience, as it sees comparatively fewer visitors than its neighboring beaches.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach, which is open from sunrise until sunset.

Kedrodasos Beach does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Kedrodasos Beach is easy - the beach has a paid parking lot located near Pelekanos 730 01, Greece, where visitors have to pay five euros to park their vehicles.  After parking at the Kedrodasos Beach Parking Lot, visitors have to walk in the northeast for 10 minutes to access the beach.  You may refer to the Kedrodasos Beach, Crete, map for locational details.

In Greek, the beach's name, "Kedrodasos," means "Cedar Forest."  The beach is surrounded by a dense forest of juniper trees, despite its name of cedar forest, which are protected by law due to their rarity. 

There are many attractions near Kedrodasos Beach.  Agia Sofia Cave is home to impressive limestone caves known for their dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, formed by erosion over thousands of years.  In addition, there is a small, ancient chapel inside the cave dedicated to Saint Sophia, which adds a spiritual and cultural dimension to the visit.  Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide in-depth knowledge about the cave and surrounding area.  Chrisoskalitissa Monastery - also known as the "Monastery of the Golden Step," is a popular religious site dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin Mary perched on a rocky hill overlooking the Libyan Sea.  It also has a small museum displaying religious artifacts, traditional costumes, and historical items from the region.

Topolia Gorge is a 1.5-kilometer-long moderately challenging hiking trail that starts near the Katsomatados village and meanders through steep limestone cliffs, lush vegetation, a small village, secluded caves, and the Topolia River.  It offers a unique insight into the native biodiversity while enjoying Instagram-worthy views.  The White Mountains, or Lefka Ori, are the largest mountain range on the island of Crete, renowned for their stunning peaks, deep gorges, alpine meadows, rocky outcrops, plateaus, caves, canyons, and rich biodiversity.  Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including hiking, trekking, mountaineering, bird watching, and exploring Cretan villages like Anogeia and Askifou, where they can experience local hospitality, traditional cuisine, and vibrant cultural practices.   If you are looking for another nearby attraction, the Archaeological Museum of Kissamos has a gallery displaying an interesting collection spanning from the prehistoric period through the late Roman era.  The museum is known for its unique collection of Roman mosaics, sculptures from the Hellenistic and Roman periods, and a wide variety of pottery, tools, coins, and figurines from the Minoan civilization, offering insights into daily life and religious practices in ancient Crete.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Kedrodasos Beach.  Kalomirakis Tavern  serves amazing Greek-inspired seafood, pork, meat, and poultry dishes.  Glykeria Restaurant is a beachfront restaurant that serves Cretan dishes.  Choumas offers an indoor-outdoor seating area and serves delicious seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Taverna Stomio offers an outdoor seating area and serves amazing traditional Greek dishes, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, pork, poultry, and meat dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Kandanos Cantina is a small snack bar on the beach serving burgers, pastries, pizzas, donuts, and pies.

If you are looking for Kedrodasos Beach hotels, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star CHC Galini Palace Hotel is one hour and seven minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a fitness center, a hot tub, a spa, a bar, and a restaurant.  A more affordable hotel is the beachfront 4-Star Libyan Princess, which offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a spa, and a restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the beachfront 4-Star Molos Bay Hotel, which has many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a kid’s pool, hot tubs, a fitness center, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the oceanfront 3-Star Relax Hotel, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool and a courtyard.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, the 3-Star Aris Hotel offers a few amenities, including a snack bar, a library, and a terrace.