Triopetra Beach
Triopetra sits on the Libyan Sea about 55 minutes south of Rethymno, west of Preveli, and takes its name from three sea-stacks that rise out of the water just off the sand. It is the swimming and lunch stop on a south-coast day: the water is usually calmer than the open coast, there are tavernas on the beach, and you are far enough from the north-coast resorts that the afternoon stays quiet even in July.
Auf einen Blick
- Cost to visit
- Free; taverna lunch extra
- Drive from Rethymno
- About 55 minutes
- Known for
- Three sea-stacks in turquoise water, and a quiet swimming beach
- Time needed
- 60 to 90 minutes including a swim or lunch
- Season
- April to October for swimming and open tavernas
The three rocks
The stacks sit a short swim or a longer look from the main beach. They are the photograph, and they are why the place has a name rather than being another nameless cove on this coast. The sand is a mix of pale and darker grains; the west end (Little Triopetra) is more sheltered.
Swimming and lunch
This is a beach for swimming, not for a hike. The water shelves reasonably, and the tavernas on the back of the beach do grilled fish and Greek salad with a view of the stacks. Food is not included on the South Crete Highlights day; you pay on the table, cash is safer than cards.
Practicalities
Free. About 55 minutes from Rethymno via Spili or via the Preveli road. The access road is paved. There is parking above the beach. An hour to an hour and a half is the usual stay. Best from April to October; the tavernas thin out outside summer. It pairs with Preveli Beach and Spili on the same loop, and trying to add Elafonisi or Knossos on the same day is a different island.
Gut zu wissen
Why is it called Triopetra?+
From the Greek for three stones: three rock stacks standing in the sea off the beach, which is the landmark you are looking for from the road.
Can you swim at Triopetra?+
Yes. It is the swimming stop on a south-coast day from Rethymno. Little Triopetra, the western cove, is usually the more sheltered water.
How far is Triopetra from Preveli?+
About 25 minutes west along the coast. The two beaches sit on the same south-coast loop with Spili on the way home.
Is there a taverna?+
Yes, on the beach. They do fish, salads and cold drinks. Expect to pay cash, and do not count on every card machine working in high season.
