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Beach · Chania, Creta
Praia de Stavros
A shallow, calm-water cove on the northern tip of the Akrotiri peninsula, 15 km from Chania, enclosed by a rocky hill: it was here that the final dance in Zorba the Greek was filmed.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Praia de Stavros
Stavros is a fishing village and a small beach on the northern tip of the Akrotiri peninsula, near Chania. The cove is almost enclosed by a bare rocky hill that drops into the sea, so the water is shallow, calm and warm, like a natural pool—good for children and for those who don’t like waves. The sand is light and there are umbrellas, tavernas and a car park.
The place became famous through cinema: the final scene of Zorba the Greek (1964), in which Anthony Quinn and Alan Bates dance the sirtaki on the sand, was filmed here with the hill in the background. The hill has a short trail to the top with views over Chania bay and the White Mountains.
Beside the main cove, on the other side of a rocky point, there is a second beach that is more exposed and has waves and is less frequented. Stavros pairs well with the monasteries of Agia Triada and Gouverneto on a day trip around the peninsula.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From two hours to half a day.
Best time
From May to October for swimming. Early in the morning the cove is empty and mirror‑calm; in the afternoon it fills with families from Chania, especially on weekends. In summer the north wind can raise waves on the adjacent open beach, but the cove remains sheltered.
How to get there
It’s about 15 km from Chania, a 25‑minute drive via the airport road and then Kounoupidiana. There are city buses from Chania to Stavros, with more services in summer; check schedules.
Tip
Go at the end of a tour of the Akrotiri monasteries to finish the day with a swim. At the beach tavernas, order the fish of the day. For the Zorba photo, the spot is the water’s edge looking toward the hill.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Praia de Stavros
Why is Stavros called Zorba's beach?
Because the final scene of the film Zorba the Greek (1964), featuring the sirtaki dance on the sand, was filmed there, with the rocky hill in the background.
Is Stavros good for children?
Yes. The bay is sheltered by a hill and the water is shallow and calm most of the time. There are umbrellas and tavernas.
How to get to Stavros without a car?
There are urban buses from Chania to the village, with more schedules in summer. By taxi it takes about 25 minutes.