Frangokastello Beach

About

Frangokastello Beach

Frangokastello is one of the most visually striking beaches in all of Crete, not because of the water, though it is beautiful, but because of what stands beside it. The Venetian castle of Frangokastello, built in 1371 to control the rebellious Sfakia region, rises from the flat coastal plain in remarkable condition. Its square towers and crenellated walls are almost perfectly intact, and the contrast between the tawny stone of the castle, the white sand of the beach, and the electric blue of the sea makes for one of the most photogenic scenes in the Mediterranean.

The beach itself is long, wide, and sandy, with very shallow water that extends far from the shore. It is one of the calmest beaches on the south coast of Crete, protected from the dominant northwest winds by the mountains of the Sfakia massif behind it. Families with young children find it ideal. The small village of Frangokastello has several good tavernas, a couple of small hotels, and enough amenities for a comfortable day.

The castle is famously associated with the legend of the Drosoulites, ghostly shadowy figures that are said to appear in the mist near the castle walls in the days around May 17th each year, the anniversary of a battle in 1828 in which Greek fighters were massacred by Ottoman forces. The phenomenon, likely a type of atmospheric mirage, has been reported by hundreds of witnesses over the years and is taken seriously enough that the Greek state runs a scientific observation programme.

Essential Info

Plan Your Visit

Insider Tips

What You Need to Know