Komos Beach(Kommos Beach, Paralia Kommos)

Located near the village of Pitsidia on the southern coast of Crete, Greece, Komos Beach - also known as Kommos Beach or Paralia Kommos - is a 1.5-kilometer-long beige sand beach, making it one of the longest beaches on the island.  The beach is adjacent to the well-known Afrathias Beach and has an amazing backdrop of dunes, steep cliffs, Psiloritis mountains, and unique rock formations that have formed over thousands of years due to the region's volcanic activity and the erosive action of the sea, offering Instagram-worthy views of the Messara Bay and Paximadia Islands.  The beach is divided into several unnamed smaller coves 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. 

Kommos Beach also holds historical significance, as the beach was once the port of the ancient Minoan city of Phaistos, and many archaeological remains of the port can still be seen near the beach, popularly known as Komos Archaeological Site.  Visitors can explore the remains of ancient Minoan structures at the northern end of the beach, including a Minoan harbor, palace complex, and other intriguing structures, making it a point of interest for geology enthusiasts.

Komos Beach Crete does not have lifeguards but offers several other amenities, including restrooms, shaded areas, a sunbed and parasol rental facility, benches, traditional taverns, cafes, and nearby hotels.

Komos Beach offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, boating, paddleboarding, fishing, hiking, watching wildlife, surfing, walking, and photography.  If you plan to go into the water, it is a naturally sheltered bay, making it a safe swimming area.  The water near the beach is shallow, which is ideal for small boats, kayaks, and canoes.  If you enjoy fishing, anglers may catch a wide variety of fish.  The clear waters around the beach are ideal for snorkeling, allowing visitors to explore the rich marine life.  It is a popular spot to go surfing due to the frequent windy Komos Beach weather, as the beach is protected from south winds, creating favorable conditions for surfers.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.  This beach is often considered an unofficial nude beach, especially towards the north.  The beach is known for its fine, golden sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, archaeological significance, and breathtaking views, and there are many points near the beach known for taking the best Komos Beach photos.  Visitors can enjoy a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, making it an all-year-round destination.  Dogs are not allowed on the beach, which is open from sunrise until sunset.

Komos Beach, Crete, does not offer an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Komos Beach is easy - the beach has a small parking lot located near Kommos Antiquities, Festos 702 00, Greece, and provides easy access to the beach.

Komos Beach serves as a nesting site for rare loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta).  Visitors may spot these turtles resting and foraging in their natural habitat, but we recommend watching them from a safe distance.

There are many attractions near Komos Beach.  The Komos Archaeological Site near Komos Beach is an important Minoan settlement and harbor dating back to around 2000 BCE.  It served as a key port for the nearby palace of Phaistos, featuring large storage facilities, residential buildings, and evidence of extensive trade with the Aegean and Mediterranean regions.  The site also includes religious structures and impressive megalithic architecture.  Excavations have revealed pottery, artifacts, and architectural features, providing insights into Minoan life, trade, and culture in a scenic coastal setting.  Tympaki is a small town and a center for agriculture in southern Crete, known for cultivating olives, vegetables, and greenhouse crops.  Tympaki offers a glimpse into authentic Cretan life with its traditional cafes, local markets, and friendly atmosphere.  The town hosts various local events and festivals, particularly during the summer, celebrating Cretan music, dance, and culinary traditions. 

The Museum of Cretan Ethnology preserves and showcases the rich cultural heritage of Crete, focusing on the island's traditional lifestyle from the 19th and 20th centuries.  The museum features a wide range of exhibits depicting the daily life, customs, and traditions of Cretans.  It offers educational programs and workshops on traditional Cretan crafts, music, and dance, allowing visitors to engage actively with the island’s cultural heritage.  Interestingly, the museum was recognized with the European Museum of the Year Award in 1992; it serves as a cultural hub for preserving and promoting the unique heritage of Crete.  Agiofarago Gorge is a stunning natural gorge known for its dramatic rock formations, narrow passageways, rugged cliffs, and natural caves.  It has a three-kilometer-long easy hiking trail that runs through the gorge, leading to the secluded Agiofarago Beach.  Hikers will spot a small, picturesque Chapel of Saint Anthony, a Byzantine-era church built into the rock.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Phaistos Palace is one of the most significant Minoan archaeological sites in Crete, located on a hill overlooking the Messara Plain.  The palace was built around 1900 BCE and showcases impressive Minoan architecture, including multi-level courtyards, staircases, and a complex drainage system.  The palace is famous for the Phaistos Disc, an undeciphered clay disc inscribed with mysterious symbols.  Visitors can enjoy guided tours that provide insights into the history and significance of the fort, enhancing the visitor experience.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants on Komos Beach.  Bunga Bunga Komos Beach is positioned right on the beach and serves incredible Greek food, including salads, pasta, pizzas, seafood, and meat dishes.  Karibu Bar Komos Beach is another beachfront restaurant that offers an outdoor seating area and serves amazing salads, seafood, beef, pork, and meat dishes.  Aristodimos Restaurant is another beachfront restaurant that serves traditional Greek dishes, seafood, and meat dishes.  In addition, it also serves vegetarian and vegan dishes. The Secret Garden serves incredible Mediterranean food, including salads, pizzas, seafood, and meat dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Kentrikon Cafe serves amazing Greek dishes.

If you are looking for a hotel near Komos Beach, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star Rethymno Palace is one hour and thirty minutes away and offers many amenities, including indoor and outdoor pools, a kid’s pool, a fitness center, kids play areas, and two restaurants.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Stelani Villas & Suites, which offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool, Wi-Fi, outdoor whirlpool tubs, and kitchenettes in all rooms.  A more affordable hotel is the 4-Star Palazzo Greco Villas, which offers a few amenities, including an outdoor pool and free WiFi.   A more reasonably priced option is the 3-Star Matala Bay Hotel, which has several amenities, including an outdoor pool, a mini-market, a snack bar, a poolside bar, a restaurant, a children's playground, and a game room.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, Hotel Fragiskos has many amenities, including outdoor pools, a kid’s pool, a fitness center, a playground, and a restaurant.