Unspoilt by mass tourism, the charming fishing village of Mochlos, Crete, has kept a low-key traditional atmosphere: beach, Mochlos island, ruins, seafood… It is worth the detour!
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit to Mochlos with map, tips, things to do 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 the village of Mochlos in Crete?
Most touristic places in Crete are crowded and very noisy.
If you are looking for a quieter and more traditional experience by the sea, Mochlos can be a good choice for you… although it is not, if you are looking for a sandy beach!
Mochlos is a picturesque fishing village in the gulf of Mirabello.
In the village you will find:
- locals (I know it seems strange to write that, but in some touristic villages you will not find locals living there any more…),
- great seafood taverns with dried squids,
- beach,
- colorful rock formations,
- as well as an island with Minoan ruins,
- and peace… So many places in Greece are very loud, here you will find a more relaxing environment
Things to do in Mochlos
- Walk the waterfront
- Go swimming or snorkeling
- Enjoy seafood at one of the restaurants
- Take a boat to the island and visit the ruins
- Relax!
Mix-up
Be careful not to mix-it up with Mochos (without the l) a typical mountain village known for its traditional dinner parties.
More photos after the planning tips.
Planning tips & Map – Mochlos, Crete
Where is Mochlos in Crete? Map & location
- On the North shore, East of Malia
- Malia to Mochlos – 1h drive
- Elounda to Mochlos – 55min drive
- Sitia to Mochlos – 50min drive
- Below is a map to help you get oriented:
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 Mochlos Crete
- The only way to reach Mochlos is by car
- The last few km down a mountain road but nothing difficult and you can enjoy great views (see next section).
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!
Parking in Mochlos
There are only a few spot along the roads, so just follow the signs to find the free parking area.
Where to stay? – Mochlos accommodations
Close to the water, you will find mostly rental accommodations or small hotels.
The village has kept its charm without big chains or loud party hotels.
For example, you could consider:
- Hotel Mochlos with colorful rooms and terraces – Check out prices and availability
- Or Koilon apartments with amazing views of the blue sea and the island – Check out prices and availability
- Or check out accommodations in and around Mochlos
Note: there is only a mini-market in the village so if you are staying longer than a night you should shop for food before.
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
Drive to Mochlos Village
You can already enjoy Mochlos on the drive down the mountain.
The village is located on the North coast, niched across from the small island of Mochlos.
It is not a difficult drive, but the road is a little smaller and winding.
There are not many places to stop and admire the view. But you can see the waterfront at the end of the small tongue of land across from the islet:
Seafront & Rock formations
What is enjoyable is that you can walk along the water without being bothered by cars.
There is a pedestrian way along the taverns and shops to admire the views of the mountains and the sea.
It is a short walk (the village is small) but a very enjoyable one. It was one of my mom’s favorite places in Crete.
You can see how close the islet is creating a small harbour.
The taverns have terraces to enjoy the deep blue of the water and the sunny weather.
But what I love the most are the beautiful rocks sculpted by the sea (I always love rock formations).
You can see a few examples in the pictures below just below the taverns and also on the back side of the village.
Some of the rocks are quite colorful:
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
Mochlos Beach Crete
Mochlos is not really a beach destination. But you can still enjoy the waters of the Mediterranean.
The area is mostly rocky beaches, but there is a small beach right in the middle of the village with a slow slope and some sand.
Not much space to lie down but enough to get into the water.
Just be careful that the area has urchins, so it is recommended to wear plastic shoes.
In the morning you may be lucky to see divers collecting them for the taverns.
If you keep walking West from the village, you can find another beach with sand near the harbour which is less in plain sight of all the tourists at the taverns.
It is the fishing port of Limenaria (sorry I did not take a picture).
Mochlos Island & Ruins by boat
Mochlos island is a very little known Minoan site. You could be exploring it by yourself.
It was discovered by the American archeologist Seager in 1907 with the help of local fishermen.
The excavations in 1908 have unearthed tombs and habitations from thee Minoan civilization.
There is also a small chapel dedicated to St Nicholas. This is why the island can also be referred to as the islet of St Nicholas.
How to reach it?
It is within swimming distance (around 200m) but can be dangerous with the swell.
A local can take you on his boat for a few euros. Just ask at one of the taverns or shops.
If you are into archeology, 2 buildings were also discovered behind the modern village of Mochlos. They belonged to artisans (pottery and Bronze crafting).
Things to do around Mochlos
If you are planning a road trip around Crete, Mochlos makes for a great stop and a quiet evening.
But Mochlos can also make a great base for a quiet holiday.
- Only 1h away you can visit Elounda with the famous Spinalonga island – see my article
- And on your way to Elounda, you can swim in the turquoise waters at Voulisma beach
- You can explore the mountains covered with olive trees and find small gems such as the Toplou monastery
- You can take a day trip East to Vai beach with its palm trees or to the Cave of Zeus
- And further away you have the Zakros ruins and gorge
- …
Want to see more of the best Crete has to offer?
- 40 best landscapes in Crete (in pictures) – read article
- 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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