Stalis(Stalida)

Located about 30 km east of Heraklion on the northern coast of Crete, Stalis - also known as Stalis Beach, Paralia Stalidas, or Stalida, is a popular tourist resort with a six-kilometer-long golden sand beach with many rocky portions.  It is positioned between the towns of Malia and Hersonissos and has a beautiful backdrop of many oceanfront buildings, including homes, restaurants, taverns, beachfront bars, and many hotels, creating a picturesque setting along the Gulf of Heraklion.

Stalis Beach offers many amenities, including seasonal lifeguards, restrooms, shaded areas, a sunbed and parasol rental facility, beach equipment rental facility, benches, several restaurants, traditional Greek taverns, and nearby hotels.

Stalis Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, boating, jet skiing, paddleboarding, fishing, hiking, watching wildlife, picnicking, walking, beach volleyball, and photography.  If you are planning to go into the water, the waves are usually calm.  The clear waters around the beach are ideal for snorkeling, allowing visitors to explore the rich marine life.  Stalis Beach is a popular spot for windsurfing due to its frequently windy weather.  If you enjoy fishing, anglers may catch a wide variety of fish.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, including the Bulgarian Trail, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  Visitors can enjoy a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, making it an all-year-round destination.  In addition, the beach hosts traditional Cretan festivals throughout the summer, including music, dance, and food events.  Stalis Beach and its surrounding area are a perfect spot to enjoy a laid-back nightlife with bars, taverns, and live music.  The beach attracts a large influx of visitors due to its convenient location, especially during the summer season.  If you enjoy shopping, the main street in Stalis is lined with shops selling souvenirs, local crafts, jewelry, and clothing.  Dogs are not allowed here, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Stalis Beach, Hersonissos, offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Stalis Beach is easy - the beach has many street parking spots located near Beach Road, Stalida 700 07, Greece, which provides easy access to the beach.  You may refer to the Stalida Crete map for locational details.

The beach's name is taken from the Greek word "Stalis," which means "to pause" or "to rest," as the area around the beach was a popular spot where shepherds rested in between villages.

There are many attractions near Stalis Beach.  CRETAquarium Thalassokosmos is one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in Europe and features over 2,500 marine organisms across 60 tanks, including sharks, rays, jellyfish, and Mediterranean fish.  The aquarium offers interactive exhibits, educational programs, and conservation initiatives, making it a family-friendly and informative destination.  Watercity Waterpark is one of the largest and most popular water parks on the island of Crete.  This family-friendly entertainment park features thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, picnic pavilions, splash zones, and many other attractions for all ages.  It also offers many other amenities, including restaurants, snack bars, restrooms, changing rooms, lockers, sunbed and parasol rental facilities, and shaded areas for relaxation.

Selakano Forest is a stunning natural area known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes.  It is home to mountains, valleys, springs, streams, gorges, and various plant species, including pine trees, oak trees, cypress trees, and aromatic herbs like oregano, sage, and thyme.   Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including hiking, watching wildlife, and picnicking.   Cretan Olive Oil Farm is an agro-tourism destination that provides guided tours and workshops on olive oil production, cheesemaking, pottery, and traditional cooking.  Visitors can learn about olive oil-making, from harvesting olives to tasting the finished product.  The farm also showcases local crafts and traditional methods, providing a deep dive into Crete’s rich agricultural heritage and culinary traditions. If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Milatos Cave is a historic site that played a significant role in the 1823 Greek War of Independence when hundreds of Cretan villagers took refuge from Ottoman forces.  The cave witnessed a tragic massacre, commemorated today by a small chapel dedicated to Saint Thomas, built to honor those who perished during the massacre.  The cave is both a place of remembrance and a fascinating spot for exploration of dramatic stalactites and striking geological formations.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants on Stalis Beach.  Artemis is a small restaurant positioned near the beach and serves amazing Greek-inspired dishes, including salads, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Ocean - Bar & Restaurant is another beachfront restaurant that serves salads, meat, seafood, and poultry dishes.  Restaurant Creta offers outdoor seating areas and serves incredible Greek-inspired dishes, including seafood and meat dishes.  Akti Beach Restaurant serves amazing salads, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, and meat dishes.  If you are looking for another good restaurant nearby, Di Marino Italian Restaurant serves incredible salads, pasta, pizzas, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for Stalis Beach hotels, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Blue Sea Beach Affiliated by Melia - also known as Hotel Blue Sea Beach Stalis, is within a two-minute walk and offers many amenities, including an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, a kid’s club, restaurants, and a bar.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Hotel Cactus Beach Stalis, which has many amenities, including a beach bar, a game room, a playground, outdoor pools, a kids' pool, a fitness center, table tennis, mini-golf, and a restaurant.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Horizon Beach Stalis, a popular beach resort that has many amenities, including two outdoor pools, a pier, a spa, a fitness center, a bar, and a restaurant.  A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Riviera Beach Hotel, which offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool, a snack bar, a garden, and a restaurant.   If you are looking for another affordable hotel, Filia Hotel Resort offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool, a sundeck with sun loungers, and a restaurant.