Village of Mochlos (Crete) - Visit Tips + Photos

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.

Table of Contents

Why visit the village of Mochlos in Crete?

Planning tips & Map - Mochlos, Crete

Drive to Mochlos Village

Seafront & Rock formations

Mochlos Beach Crete

Mochlos Island & Ruins by boat

Things to do around Mochlos

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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.

Mochlos village and island, Crete

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:

Map - Village of Mochlos in Crete - location

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:

Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!

5 easy-to-plan Maps
60+ scenic locations - pre-selected
16+ extra photo stops and places
Planning info to make the most of your time
GPS coordinates for peace of mind
150+ original photos to help you choose

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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:

My option 1 - Check out the local company Rental Center Crete - excellent ratings and a zero-excess insurance policy included
My option 2 - Compare prices on Discovercars.com - one of the best rated comparison sites!
Choose the car and company you prefer (with enough power for comfort on mountain roads)
Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!

See my 36 tips about renting a car in Crete

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 tips:

For a charming town with lots of activities - See best rated accommodations in Chania
For a sandy beach and some nightlife - See best rated options in Malia or in Bali
For a mix of history, beach and central location - See best rated options in Rethymno
For the main city - See best rated options in Heraklion
For stunning scenery, away from the large crowds - See best rated options in Palaiochora
For a very quiet area - see best rated options in Mochlos

More tips on my article about where to stay in Crete

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:

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.

Mochlos Beach

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
...