Kedrodasos Beach might not be the first place you hear about when you start planning a trip to Crete, Greece, but this hidden gem that we recommend to almost anyone who asks us about our favorite beaches on the island!
It’s in the southwest corner of this beautiful Greek island, just minutes away from Elafonisi Beach—Crete’s most famous beach!
In full transparency, we preferred Kedrodasos Beach to Elafonisi, even though Elafonisi is more popular. While thousands of tourists flock to Elafonisi Beach daily, Kedrodasos Beach remains a secluded paradise with some of the best coastal views in Crete!
But if you are making the trip from Chania, it’s definitely worth visiting both beaches.
Just budget at least 3-4 hours to chill and swim at Kedrodasos Beach.
Since we loved this beach so much, we decided to pull together everything you need to know about Kedrodasos Beach into one place, including what to expect, how to get there, where to stay, and even the best time to visit!
What to expect
Kedrodasos Beach is one of the few beaches left in Crete that offers true tranquility.
It sounds cheesy, but I don’t know if there’s another way to put it. The turquoise water is shallow, with smooth boulders scattered throughout the bay. This makes snorkeling really fun, even though there aren’t many fish.
The beach also offers a fantastic view of the coastline for miles and miles. It’s really peaceful.
A short hiking Trail
You can not drive all the way to Kedrodasos Beach. Once you park, you’ll have a 10-minute hike down to the shoreline.
The first 500 meters of the path seems like it used to be a dirt road but hasn’t been touched in decades. The trail is easy to follow but has very uneven terrain, so you’ll want to be careful not to roll an ankle.
Wear shoes with decent support (flip-flops probably won’t cut it).
The road stops at a small juniper forest. The rest of the way is very sandy, but walking along the trail is much easier. After another 200-300 meters, the forest opens up to a gorgeous view of Kedrodasos Beach.
Facilities
The best part of visiting Kedrodasos is how secluded it feels compared to other beaches in the region. This is because there are zero facilities here.
You won’t find a single restaurant, guesthouse, or even a public bathroom at Kedrodasos Beach. There are also no showers to rinse off after swimming in the ocean.
As long as you pack accordingly, this shouldn’t cause any issues.
Here are a few things you may want to pack in your beach bag;
- Beach towel (we love this compact, sand-proof, quick-dry beach blanket)
- Snacks & Drinks
- Plenty of Water
- Reef Safe Sunscreen
- Sunglasses/hat to protect your face from the sun.
You should also bring snorkeling gear to Kedrodasos Beach. The water is exceptionally clear, and although there aren’t many fish, it looks like a lot of fun to explore. If you forgot to pack some gear, you can rent gear in Chania or around Elafonisi Beach.
Can you walk from Elafonisi to Kedrodasos?
Yes, you can walk from Elafonisi Beach to Kedrodasos Beach. For experienced hikers, this is a very easy hike and part of the E4 long-distance trail traversing across Crete.
The hike is 2 miles (3 km) long and takes less than an hour in total.
There is little elevation, but the terrain is uneven, so sturdy shoes are necessary. Also, be sure to bring plenty of water (since there are no facilities at Kedrodasos Beach).
Is Camping allowed?
Camping is very popular at Kedrodasos Beach under the juniper trees that line the coast. It’s an amazing way to save a little bit of money for those on a budget. Plus, waking up to the sound of the waves followed by a morning dip in the ocean is lovely!
The laws for camping in Crete are a bit ambiguous. Wild camping/dispersed camping is technically illegal in Crete, but it’s tolerated by authorities as long as you are away from major tourist areas.
You’re also not allowed to start campfires. The juniper forest at Kedrodasos is a protected area that is very dry, making it susceptible to wildfires.
How to Get to Kedrodasos Beach
Kedrodasos Beach is located on the southwestern coast of Crete, about 90 minutes from Old Town Chania. It’s certainly not the most convenient beach in Crete, but we felt it was more than worth the effort!
We always prefer to rent a car and drive ourselves. But you can also hire a taxi or take a public bus/guided tour to Elafonisi and hike to Kedrodasos Beach from there!
Driving from Chania
We rented a car and drove ourselves to Kedrodasos. This was actually the most affordable option for us since you can rent a small car for just €10-15/day.
We also love the freedom of having our own transportation.
If you’re driving to Kedrodasos Beach from Chania, you can just put the beach into Google Maps as long as you have a working E-SIM card (or have the Crete map downloaded).
You start on Highway E65 West towards Kissamos. As you reach the town of Nopegia, you’ll start seeing signs for Elafonisi. Follow these signs for the next 50 kilometers and 1 kilometer before the Elafonisi Beach parking lot, you take a left.
It’s a dirt road that weaves past greenhouses and farms (making us question whether we had made a wrong turn), but the road eventually ended at the Kedrodasos Beach parking lot.
Parking at Kedrodasos Beach
Although the dirt parking lot was pretty small, with space for maybe 20 cars), we thought it was pretty well-maintained for a dirt lot.
We had no trouble finding a spot for our compact car.
But if you visit in mid-summer, there’s a chance the spaces will be full when you arrive. If that’s the case, it’s totally fine to park along the right-hand side of the road leading up to the parking lot. You’ll just have to walk a little bit further to get to the beach!
Can you get a taxi to Kedrodasos Beach?
There are taxis that go to Kedrodasos/Elafonisi Beach from Chania, but they are so expensive. With WelcomePickups (an alternative to Uber in Crete), it costs about €100 each way.
However, if you’re traveling with your family or a group of friends, this might make sense for you.
Taking a Bus from Chania
The only option for reaching Kedrodasos Beach by bus is to take a bus to Elafonisi Beach and then hike or taxi to Kedrodasos Beach from there.
During the summer, there’s one bus each day to Elafonisi Beach. It departs from Chania Bus Station at 9:00.
The bus then leaves from Elafonisi at 16:00, getting back to Chania before 18:00.
Be sure to check the K-Tel Website for updated timetables. Also, the bus from Chania to Elafonisi only operates between April and October. There are no buses during the winter.
Guided Tours
There are no private day trips or tours directly to Kedrodasos Beach, which is probably why it has remained so peaceful.
However, you can always book a day tour to Elafonisi and then walk/taxi to Kedrodasos. But with only 4-5 hours of free time, it might not be enough time to enjoy the beach.
Hotels near Kedrodasos Beach
There are no hotels on Kedrodasos Beach. If you would like to stay overnight nearby, the best options are near Elafonisi or in the town of Moni Chrisoskalitissis.
Many tourists prefer to stay in Chania town and take a longer day trip to Kedrodasos, which is also what we would tell you to do!
We just loved Chania so much that we’d always just take a day trip to Kedrodasos from there.
Where to Stay in Elafonisi – Elafonisi Resort
Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis Family is a long-time favorite among travelers looking to stay near the southwest beaches. The hotel is a short 2-minute walk from Elafonisi and just over 1 mile from Kedrodasos Beach.
The hotel has thousands of 10/10 reviews. The staff is very helpful and provides clean rooms with quality amenities. You can even star-gaze on your balcony because, in the evening, the sky here is completely free from light pollution!
Where to Stay in Moni Chrisoskalitissis – Glykeria Hotel
Glykeria Hotel is slightly farther north, in the town of Moni Chrisoskalitissis. This town has more restaurant/shopping options than Elafonisi Beach, but it is still just 10 minutes by car from the Kedrodasos Beach parking lot.
The internet is fast here, and the ocean view from the balcony makes it worth the slightly higher price. The hotel also provides a free Cretan breakfast at its restaurant each morning.
Where to Stay in Chania – Porta Antico
Porta Antico is an extremely affordable boutique hotel in Old Town Chania. The hotel has rooms with a view of the port, as well as beautifully designed rooms and air-conditioning. The harbor view is the best part of the hotel, but the staff and proximity to local restaurants and shopping are also great attributes, in our opinion.
Kedrodasos Beach Weather
The weather at Kedrodasos Beach is pleasant year-round, but summer is undoubtedly better.
The summer months are the warmest, with temperatures regularly above 30ºC (85ºF). The water also rises to comfortable temperatures during the summer, making Kedrodasos Beach an ideal beach destination.
During winter, temperatures can drop to around 15ºC (60ºF). This is a little too cold for swimming, but the dry climate means spending time by the sea is still nice.
Our favorite time to be at the beaches in Crete is around late spring/early fall when the crowds have gone away, but it’s still warm enough to swim. May and September are perfect!
Other Beaches near Kedrodasos Beach
Several other beautiful beaches are less than 10 minutes from Kedrodasos Beach and are worth exploring. Elafonisi is the closest beach to Kedrodasos, just a couple kilometers west. However, there are two more beaches about 5 kilometers north.
Elafonisi Beach
If you’re thinking about visiting Kedrodasos, then there’s a 99.99% chance you already know about Elafonisi Beach.
It’s about 1 kilometer west of Kedrodasos and one of the most famous places in Crete. The beach has “pink sand,” crystal-clear waters, and an island connected by a shallow sandbar.
This beach was stunning. But you should come here with realistic expectations because it gets hectic in the summer months. Even when we came in October, there were hundreds of people.
Voulolimni Beach
Another popular tourist spot is Voulolimni Beach. It’s located just outside the town of Moni Chrisoskalitissis, and although its name is misleading, it’s still a beautiful site.
Instead of sand or coastline, travelers come here to enjoy a unique natural swimming hole created by the rocky coast. There’s a small passage out to the ocean, so small boats occasionally come in and out of the lake.
Aspri Limni (White Lake Beach)
Aspri Limni Beach is very similar to Kedrodasos because it’s a beautiful beach with warm, calm water that is not as common to tourists. If you stay in Moni Chrisoskalitissis, Aspri Limni Beach is just a short walk from town.
There’s a small parking lot next to the beach. This would be a great place to stop on the way to or from Kedrodasos Beach.
Final Thoughts
Although Kedrodasos Beach is not quite as popular as Elafonisi, it is genuinely one of the most scenic and relaxing places to visit in Crete.
If you love relaxed, off-beat destinations and getting away from the crowds, then you will love spending the afternoon here (or bring a tent and spend the night!)
Hopefully, this will help you feel more confident about putting this beach on your itinerary and actually getting here because we know how confusing it can be your first time!
After your day trip to Kedrodasos Beach, consider visiting some other beautiful beaches along the south coast, like Marmara Beach or Preveli Palm Beach.
