Stavros Beach

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Stavros Beach

Stavros sits at the northern tip of the Akrotiri peninsula, a 17 kilometre drive from Chania through pine forests and past military bases. The beach is a circular bay almost entirely enclosed by a dramatic limestone headland, which creates a natural bowl of perfectly calm, clear turquoise water. The bay faces north so the sun reaches it fully from late morning onwards, and the surrounding cliffs protect it from almost all wind directions.

The bay became internationally famous as the filming location for Michael Cacoyannis's 1964 film Zorba the Greek, based on Nikos Kazantzakis's novel. The iconic final sirtaki dance scene, performed by Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates on the beach, was shot against the distinctive limestone rock that rises at the western edge of the bay. A small taverna near the beach now carries a poster of the scene, and the rock itself is immediately recognisable.

Stavros is genuinely excellent for families with young children. The water is so shallow at the shore that small children can wade fifty metres out and still only reach their waist. The bay never gets rough. There are several tavernas along the waterfront serving fresh fish and Cretan food, and sun loungers are available at reasonable prices. It is also an easy place to snorkel, with good underwater life around the base of the headland rock.

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