Sweet Water(Glyka Nera)

Located on the south coast of Crete, near Chora Sfakion, Sweet Water Beach - also known as Glyka Nera Beach or Paralia Glyka Nera – is a 400-meter-long golden sand pebbly beach with many rocky portions. This beach was ranked among Europe’s top 20 beaches by The Times of London in 2003.  The beach is positioned at the foot of 600-meter-high cliffs, a few tamarisk trees, a small cafe, and unique geological formations created over millions of years, which provide stunning views of the Libyan Sea.  The beach's name is from the Greek word "Glyka Nera” – which means "Sweet Water" in English – and is named for the fresh water springs that bubble up through the ground by the beach.   Due to the freshwater that comes from underground springs, the water here is slightly cooler than typical sea temperatures.  Sweet Water Beach is promoted as an ecotourism destination: local communities and environmental groups are making efforts to protect the unique landscape, biodiversity, and historical sites.

Sweet Water Beach, Crete, does not have lifeguards but offers several other amenities, including shaded areas, a traditional tavern, and sunbeds, a parasol rental facility.

Sweet Water Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, hiking, watching wildlife, and photography.  If you plan to go in the water near the beach, there is a safe swimming area, and the waves are usually calm.  The underwater rock formations and clear waters make Sweet Water Beach a great spot for snorkeling, allowing visitors to explore marine life, including sea turtles, rays, fish, crabs, and sea urchins.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails along the coast and through the rugged terrain of the White Mountains, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Visitors may spot wild goats that often wander down to the shore. This beautiful beach is famous for its stunning natural beauty, with crystal-clear, turquoise waters and dramatic cliffs surrounding it, making it a popular spot for photography.  This beach is often considered an unofficial nude beach, especially towards the eastern ends.  Visitors can enjoy a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, making it an all-year-round destination.  The remote location of the beach makes it one of the quieter and more secluded beaches in Crete, ideal for visitors looking for peace and privacy.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach, which is open from sunrise until sunset.

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

Getting to Sweet Water Beach is difficult - the beach is accessible only by boat from the nearby Port of Loutro or Port of Sfakia, which takes around 15 minutes from either location.  You can book a boat tour in advance, and it is available regularly during the summer months.

Alternatively, you can hike on a two-mile-long moderately challenging hiking trail that starts from Chora Sfakion and takes you to Glyka Nera.  It takes around 45 minutes to reach the beach, you may refer to the map for locational details.

The beach is famous for its breathtaking sunsets, providing stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea.

There are many attractions near Sweet Water Beach.  Frangokastello Castle is a 14th-century fortress built by the Venetians to protect the island from potential invasions and to establish a strategic military presence in the region.  It is positioned on a hill and features thick stone walls and cannons, which were used for defense.  Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide insights into the history and significance of the fort, enhancing the visitor experience.  Kormokopou Cave is renowned for its impressive rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites, which are illuminated by natural light filtering through small openings, creating a surreal and enchanting environment.  Visitors can hike through rugged terrain and take a guided tour to explore the cave.  Tripiti Gorge features steep limestone cliffs that rise to 600 meters on either side, forming a narrow passage that adds to its allure and offers excellent hiking opportunities.  It has a moderately challenging hiking trail that runs through the gorge, with high walls that rise dramatically on both sides, creating a narrow, winding path that opens to the beautiful beach.  

Spili Village is known for its traditional Cretan architecture, churches, monasteries, a museum, shops selling local handicrafts, traditional taverns, and cafes that offer a glimpse into authentic Cretan life and its vibrant culture. The village is also famous for its Venetian-style fountain, known as "Kefalovrissi."  This unique fountain has 25 lion-head spouts lined up in a row, from which cold, fresh water flows continuously, making it a favorite spot for photography.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction,  Preveli Monastery is one of the most significant and historic monasteries on the island of Crete, which is mainly divided into two main complexes: the lower monastery, situated closer to the sea, is now in ruins, and the upper monastery, popularly known as Piso Monastery of St. John the Theologian, perched on a hill offering breathtaking views of the Libyan Sea.  In addition, it also has a small museum on-site displaying religious artifacts, manuscripts, icons, and traditional robes that provide insights into the monastery's historical significance.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Sweet Water Beach.  Glyka Nera Tavern is present right on the beach and serves amazing salads, pork, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Taverna Delfini serves salads, pasta, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  Anopoli Taverna serves incredible Greek-inspired dishes, including salads, seafood, and meat dishes.  Cafe Restaurant Ostria serves amazing seafood.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant nearby, Taverna Dialeskari serves incredible salads, pasta, risotto, pork, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for Sweet Water Beach, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Pilot Beach Resort is one hour and thirteen minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including outdoor pools, a spa, a fitness center, a kids' club, five restaurants, and three bars.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Palazzo Greco Villas, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool and free WiFi.   Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Eleana Nature & Art, which has several amenities, including free WiFi and a dining room.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Sifis, which offers several amenities, including a terrace with sea views and a tavern.   If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Artemis offers a few amenities, including a terrace and a dining room.