Viena Beach (Krios Lake)
The Lake Krios or Viena is located 10km west of Paleochora and 90km south of Chania. The beach is located on the European footpath E4 that links Paleochora and Elafonissi, about 20-30 minutes from Krios Beach. The beach is mainly rocky, with sand in some places. It is protected by a large number of rocks, that form a small enclosed bay that locals call a lake (Limni). There are no facilities in the area and there is actually one only tamarisk tree on the beach. The Lake of Krios is one of the most unknown and secluded, but also amazing, beaches of Crete.
Some of you might wonder why such a rough beach belongs to the most special beaches in Crete: The beauty of this beach is not the beach itself. However, the Lake is located right on the site of the ancient city of Viena. So, you will see marble columns lying on the beach and underwater. On the beach and surrounding area are shards and potsherds of urns and amphora. It has been said that Viena was a Hellenistic/Roman sanctuary and that a temple once stood there. The rectangular base can still be seen. The pouring out of wine in honor of a deity may have been made before or after a long sea journey. Centuries ago the water depth would have been greater - enough to provide a safe anchorage along an otherwise inhospitable and rocky coastline.
