Kolimbari beach
Kolimbari is a small seaside town with a population exceeding 5000 inhabitants, located 24km west of Chania, at the westernmost point of the long bay of Chania, at the east base of Peninsula Rodopos. Kolimbari is fairly well developed, mainly due to the beautiful long beach that stretches in front of the village and extends east to Tavronitis. The beach in Kolimbari is sandy and in some places has small pebbles. The water is not too deep, but the sea is usually wavy (like most open beaches of northern Crete). Next to the beach there are many options for accommodation, food and entertainment.
If you seek for a quieter beach, you can visit the small coves near the monastery of Gonia, 1km northwest of Kolimbari. Boats run from the port of Kolimbari to Cape of Rodopos, with its imposing cliffs and the small quiet beaches; Menies is the most famous.
The historic Monastery of Gonia is located 1km northwest of the town. The monastery, which reminds of a fortress, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary Odigitria (i.e. Guide) and has a significant collection of Byzantine icons. Moreover, near Gonia there is the Orthodox Academy of Crete, where several nationwide and global conferences on theological and general subjects take place.
