Triopetra beach in Crete is one of the most fascinating places on the island for rock formations and colored stones.
No fine sand, but fascinating geological structures, as if giants played with sheets of rocks.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to Triopetra with tips, map and photos.
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Crete:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Crete: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Gramvousa island + Balos Lagoon
Fun activity: Quad excursion off the beaten path
My favorite places to stay:
- Chania: see best rated hotels – e.g. Casa Delfino
- Palaiochora: see best rated hotels – e.g. Blue Horizon Hotel
- Rethymno: see best rated hotels – e.g. Leo Hotel
Why visit Triopetra Beach in Crete?
About the name Triopetra
Triopetra is a cape with 3 rocks. Hence the name “Trio + Petra”.
It is a fascinating geological structure where it looks like sheets of rocks have been piled up.
This is absolutely fascinating to explore. It is one of my favorite beaches in Crete.
There are beaches on both sides of the cape.
You will not find fine sand or perfect swimming conditions on this beach.
But it sure deserves a stop. It is a great place to explore both for adults and kids.
Which one is Triopetra beach?
As you read about Triopetra, you might get confused with very different descriptions of beaches.
This is because both sides of the cape are called Triopetra and their beaches offer very different features:
- On the South-East side, you can first find the small Triopetra beach (or Koumado) with sand and rocks, small and protected bay with tavern and sunbeds
- East of the small one is a Triopetra beach with sand and rocks, tavern and sunbeds as well
- West of the 3 rocks is a 1km long beach with small pebbles: also called Triopetra (or Chatzi) – This is the one where you easily access the rock formations and this is the one I am focusing on in this article.
More photos after the planning tips.
Planning Tips & Map – Triopetra Beach, Crete
Where is Triopetra Beach – Map & Location
- Located on the South Coast of Crete, off the beaten path
- Between Plakias and Matala
- The nearest largest village is Akoumia
- Plakias to Triopetra = 1h drive
- Matala to Triopetra = 1h10 drive
- Rethymno to Triopetra = 1h drive
- Below is a map to help you locate the beach in Crete:
This highlight is included (with GPS coordinates and practical tips) in my Travel Guide eBook that helps you easily plan your road trip around Crete:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
How to get to Triopetra Beach Location – Map
- This beach is “hidden” and difficult to access without a car.
- There is no bus going there, only to Akoumia.
- A little out of the way, you drive down the mountain from the main road.
- See my tips for driving in Crete
Need to rent a car in Crete?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the narrow streets in villages
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Visit Tips
- The West Triopetra beach is 1km long with only a few sunbeds and 1 tavern by the beach – Most of the beach remains wild
- The rocks are at one end of the beach, you have to walk a couple of minutes on the small pebbles to reach them
- Limited facilities
- Tavern on the beach
- Limited accommodations – Check out the options
Where to stay in Crete?
My favorites:
- Chania, a charming town: See best rated accommodations
- Rethymno, history, beach and central location: See best rated options
- Heraklion, main city: See best rated options
- Palaiochora, for stunning scenery, away from crowds – See best rated options
- Mochlos, for a very quiet area: see best rated options
- For a sandy beach and some nightlife: Malia or Bali
A long beach with small pebbles – colored stones?
Before I share more pictures of the stunning geological rock formations, below are a few shots of the beach itself.
As you can see, it is long and wide so it never feels crowded!
It is surrounded by beautiful mountains. So the drive to get there is very scenic. I am sharing pictures from the roads at the end of the article.
You can only find a few sunbeds and a tavern at the West end of the beach. It is a rather quiet environment.
The space is great if you have kids, but be aware that the beach is facing partially West, so there are big waves, often.
The floor is coarse, a mix of sand and small rocks, as you can see in the picture below.
You can find colored stones in the mix but rarely like some pictures of only colored stones.
In any case, don’t take any of the rocks. They are essential to the beach. Remember: “Take only memories, leave only footprints” – Chief Seattle.
At the other end, opposite to the rock formations, the River Akoumianos flows and separates Triopetra from Agios Pavlos.
The 3 rocks of Triopetra – Geology
So what makes the area so special?
I really love the geological formations at the end of the beach. They are quite fascinating.
They look as if a giant played with sheets of rocks and made some stacks with them.
In this area, the plane (parallel) beds of sedimentation have been exposed by weathering. You can see the evolution and different types of rocks. Fascinating!
Sadly, I have not been able to find information about the geology of this particular area.
But I will keep searching!
Climbing on the rocks
If you arrive from the long Triopetra beach, you can easily climb around the rocks to have a look closer.
You will discover that there are actually more than the 3 rocks. The entire cape is similar.
It feels like exploring a mini-canyon with the sound of the waves in the background.
You can see pieces that have fallen showing different aspects of the rocks. Have a look at those pictures! I love such geological formations 🙂
And from the level of the rocks, you get a nice view of the long beach and the mountains:
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But I also like other drinks and sweets!
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Triopetra Cave
Right next to the 3 rocks is an area where the sedimentary bedding has been revealed but has not collapsed. So everything is well aligned and you have a wall of rock sheets.
See on the picture below the size of the people sitting next to the structure.
In the middle is a small cave:
Stunning roads around
As you drive to Triopetra from Plakias and the West, the South coast road is stunning with mountains and views at every turn.
It is the same as you keep driving from Triopetra Beach towards the East and Matala.
Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?
- 20 best things to do in Crete – read article
- The 27 best beaches in Crete – read article
- The most beautiful archaeological sites – read article
- The most beautiful churches and monasteries in Crete – read article
- The best destinations in Crete, where to stay – read article
- Advice for planning your road trip in Crete and your itinerary – read article
- Tips for driving around Crete – read article
- The most beautiful boat trips around Crete – read article
Planning a trip to Crete?
Check out my travel guide eBook to help you plan:
Plan your dream trip in Crete thanks to my guide
- 5 maps to easily plan your itinerary
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
- Tips to make the most of your time
- 150+ original photos to help you choose
And keep track of your own trip!
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