Katholiko Beach is a small inlet on the north shore of Crete, near Chania.
It’s also called Katholiko Bay, which we think is a bit more fitting since there’s no beach here. Instead, it’s a rocky swimming hold with some smooth areas to sunbathe.
Not only is it a great place for swimming and sunbathing, but it’s not even the main attraction here. Getting here requires a hike, and on the way, you’ll pass by several caves, Katholiko Monastery, and walk through Katholiko Gorge before getting to the cove.
So, if you plan to spend a decent amount of time near Chania, then Katholiko Beach/Bay is one place you shouldn’t miss.
Here’s everything you need to know before visiting yourself!
What to Expect
As we mentioned, the name of this beach can be a bit misleading. Katholiko Bay, Katholiko Beach, Avlaki Cove, and probably a few more we haven’t heard of.
But Katholiko doesn’t have a beach at all, so the most accurate name is Katholiko Bay.
No matter what you call it, this 4.5-kilometer (2.7-mile) out-and-back hike is one of the best day trips we took from Chania. The S-shaped bay snakes into the gorge, creating a calm, clear swimming hole with a picturesque view of the Mediterranean Sea.
The tides flow into the bay and create a cool blue-green color that’s a stunning contrast to the sharp white rocks surrounding it.
Most of the land around Katholiko Bay is very rugged (so you definitely need sturdy footwear), but you will notice a couple of flat spots towards the gorge, which are nice places to sunbathe.
Historically, monks used Katholiko Bay to access Katholiko Monastery from the sea. These days, it is a tourist attraction, and people visit to walk through Avlaki Gorge and cool off in the crystal clear bay.
How Much Does it Cost?
The entrance fee for Katholiko Bay is €2.50 per person, but this includes access to both monasteries and the caves along the path. After parking your rental car, you can pay at the station just through the gate of Gouverneto Monastery.
Best Time To Visit Katholiko
The summer months (May – September) are the most popular time to visit Katholiko Beach because they have almost guaranteed sun, warm weather, and warm sea temperatures.
But shortly before/after peak travel season, it is also pretty comfortable and allows you to swim without the crowds! The only downside was that the sea temperature was quite cold when we visited Crete in October, so it wasn’t the best for swimming.
If you’re traveling during high season, try to start hiking before 7:00 AM so you can have the cove all to yourself for a couple of hours.
How to Get to Katholiko Beach
Katholiko Beach takes about 25 minutes by car from Chania. It took us a little bit longer because we were staying on the opposite side of town, near Nea Chora Beach.
You can get there by renting a car and driving yourself, hiring a taxi, or taking a bus + taxi from Chania.
Driving to Katholiko Beach: The trailhead for Katholiko Beach is located at Gouverneto Monastery, so if you’re driving to Katholiko Beach, put that in your directions. The drive is fairly easy to navigate, and the roads aren’t super steep.
A rental car typically costs less than €20/day, so it’s one of the most affordable ways to get around Crete.
Want To Rent a Car in Crete?
This was the best decision we made on our trip to Crete. It allowed us to see so much more of the island!
Taxi from Chania to Katholiko Beach: If you are uncomfortable driving, you can easily find a taxi willing to take you to Katholiko Beach. The average price for a taxi is €18-20 each way.
You can pre-book a transfer online. Also, make sure you arrange a pickup with your taxi driver because there aren’t many taxis available at the monastery.
Bus from Chania to Katholiko Beach: There’s no direct bus from Chania to Gouverneto Monastery. The closest bus stop is at Chania Airport. So you can take the bus here from Chania Bus station, then catch a shorter taxi to the trailhead for €8-10.
The Hike to Katholiko Bay
The trailhead for Katholiko Bay begins at Gouverneto Monastery.
The hike is 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) down the mountain and through Katholiko Gorge. The whole hike usually takes about 2 hours to finish, and it’s rated as an ‘easy’ hike, although the hike back up definitely leaned into ‘moderate’ territory.
But we would tell you to plan for more than 2 hours. We took time to enjoy each landmark along the way, so by the time we got back to the car, it had been over 4 hours!
The latter half of the hike to Katholiko Bay travels along the base of the gorge.
During the hike, you will be treated to stunning views of the sharp cliffs, wild grape trees, and mountain goats scaling the walls above you.
You can find the topographical trail map on AllTrails.com! With the premium version, you can even download the map and track yourself along the hike.
Places to see on the way to Katholiko Bay
On the way to Katholiko Bay, you will pass several interesting places to see, including Gouverneto Monastery, Arkoudiotissa Cave (Bear Cave), Katholiko Monastery, and Katholiko Gorge (Avlaki Gorge).
Here is a quick snippet about each pit stop along the hiking trail.
Gouverneto Monastery /Arkoudiotissa Cave
The trailhead starts at Gouverneto Monastery, where the car park is located. Many tourists breeze past this holy cathedral, but it’s worth stopping to see its flower gardens, ancient church, and other beautiful architecture.
Gouverneto Monastery is an active house of worship, so photography is prohibited inside the church.
After the monastery, you’ll pass through another gate and hike for about 0.5 miles before reaching Arkoudiotissa Cave. This impressive cave is actually a historical part of Gouverneto Monastery and has been inhabited for over 1000 years.
Katholiko Monastery
In all honesty, this trip is truly a two-for-one.
Katholiko Monastery is one of the most underrated historical places in Crete. It’s worth a trip alone, but you’ll pass right by on your way to Katholiko Beach!
We have a whole post dedicated to visiting Katholiko Monastery. But in short, this is the OLDEST catholic monastery in Crete, dating back to the 11th century. The array of ruins is complimented by a high arching bridge, various caves, alter, and Greek Orthodox Icons.
The abandoned house of worship is visited by hundreds of travelers every day, and the top of the bridge has one of the best views of the Avlaki Gorge.
Katholiko Gorge, Crete
Another gem of this day trip from Chania is Katholiko Gorge (also called Avlaki Gorge).
This gorge was the main access point to Katholiko Monastery hundreds of years ago, and it was essential to the monks who lived there until they fled in the 1700s.
The trail from Katholiko Monastery to Katholiko Bay treads through the steep gorge and is another awesome section of the hike. No water flows through the gorge, but you will pass by grape trees and a few more small caves.
More things to see near Chania
Chania is the most common place to visit Katholiko Bay since it’s less than 30 minutes from the trailhead. The charming port town has a lot to offer, including historical monuments, delicious Greek food, and other stunning beaches.
We stayed at Geana Apartments, right between Chania Old Town and Nea Chora Beach. The apartment was exactly what we needed for ten days in Chania!
Chania Old Town
Old Town Chania surprised us in the best way! We expected it to be beautiful, but after just a couple of days exploring the port, we fell in love with it.
After two months in Crete, this was our favorite stop.
It’s so much fun to head down the port and get lost in the charming streets full of jewelry shops, gelato stands, and late-night tavernas. You can also see the iconic Chania Lighthouse and remnants of the Old Venetian City.
More Beaches Near Chania
There are many other beaches worth visiting on the Akrotiri Peninsula and around Chania. Here are a few of our favorites.
Nea Chora Beach – This is the most accessible beach in Chania city. You don’t even have to hail a taxi. Just walk west 10 minutes from Old Town Chania, and you’ll be there!
Marathi Beach – the best beach in Chania City is Nea Chora Beach. You don’t even have to hail a taxi. Just walk west 10 minutes from Old Town Chania, and you’ll be there!
Stavros Beach – If you’re looking for a more secluded option with soft sand and snorkeling, Stavros (Zorba’s Beach) is an awesome option. We spent the afternoon after spending the morning at Katholiko Bay.
Seitan Limania – This is a more adventurous opinion. It’s a small beach tucked into a steep gorge, great for swimming, and even has a few small cliff jumps.
Final Thoughts
Katholiko Beach is one of the places near Chania that surprised us the most. We didn’t even realize that Katholiko Monastery was on the same hike until we turned the corner and saw it!
However, when we were planning our trip to Crete, there wasn’t much information on the area, so hopefully, this will help you get a better idea of what to expect.
Also, if you’re nervous about renting a car in Crete, we want to assure you that driving is easier than you’d think in Crete, and it’s so worth it! We got a great deal, which saved us so much money that we would have otherwise spent on taxis.
But if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help!
