Kalo Horafi beach
Kalo Horafi is located approximately 37km east of Rethymno and 43km west of Heraklion, at the former position of 317 Agii Pateres Pelekida (317 Holy Fathers) monastery. The monastery cells do not survive today, but there is a newer chapel commemorating that built on the site of the old. Kalo Horafi is the name of the wider area, characterized by the wild Cretan landscape with the steep Talean mountains and the green ravines.
A short dirt track (200m), starting at the point on the highway where Chnaris tavern is located, leads to a nice small beach, that looks west. The beach is pebbly and is never busy. Apart from the tavern and some villas, there is nothing else in the area. The beach is also known as Vossako, since from this point starts the ravine of Vossako which leads close to the homonymous Vosako monastery, after 1-1.5 hours walking. The monastery is dedicated to Timios Stavros (Holy Cross). Until a few years ago, the monastery was ruined, but restoration works have revealed one gem of the Cretan religious tradition you should once visit (via Doxaro village).
There is also a second tiny pebbly beach with rocky seabed just behind the north end of the beach, very easily accessible on foot. Vrahi beach, as it is called, is ideal for snorkeling (on windless days only).
