The beach of Triopetra (meaning "Three stones", after the three rocks in the sea) is a long and wide sandy beach in the south of the island of Crete. On the east side of the beach are some overhanging cliffs for those who love a little shade. There are also a few taverns on the beach and you can rent sun beds and umbrellas (but the stock is limited). The main part of the beach is "without facilities" - so free of beds, and at the edges of the main beach there is room for naturists. There is also a beautiful sandy beach on the other side of the hill which is mainly naturist beach. Here the beach gradually turns into the beach of Agios Pavlos: altogether kilometers of sand. In between Triopetra beach and Agios Pavlos beach there are more small coves with sandy beaches, so plenty of choices to relax.

The sandy beaches of Triopetra and Agios Pavlos are favoured by quite a few people, and this is not without reason. They are long and of good quality. There are not that many pebbles and the water is very clear. The beaches are so large there is plenty of room for privacy and it is a nice place to totally unwind. The drive to Triopetra is also a pretty one through a beautiful and rough landscape, and with vistas of the sea and the Paxamidia islands.

The beach of Triopetra be reached when take the road from Rethymno that leads to Spili. Spili is a nice town for a stop and to have a cup of coffee or something to eat. There are also plenty of shops and there is a medical centre and an attractive Venetian fountain. From Spili you continue straight and turn right at the exit at Akoumia (indicated by a sign). You drive a bit through the village (there is a beautiful Byzantine church with frescoes), and after that it is about a half an hour drive on a good road.

Triopetra Beach is popular with people who love peace and quiet. There are a number of taverns and accommodations in and around Triopetra Beach, but it's not really what you would call a village. However a few hundred meters from the beach (on the road) there is a tavern that also functions as a mini-market, but if you are planning to stay for a long time in Triopetra and you want to take food and drinks with you, I advise you to do some shopping in Spili or Akoumia. In Akoumia there is also a mini market and a very good bakery (near the exit to Triopetra on the other side of the road). In Spili, a rather large village that is situated at a 30 minutes drive from Triopetra, there is plenty of choice in facilities.

The "Triopetra Villas- Panagia" complex consists of the 2 luxurious villas (maisonettes) Dimitris and Kadiani which are designed exquisitely. Each one has a hundred square metres of dwelling space and they are situated in approximately 450 acres of land. The complex is located in the region Akoumia which is about 50 km south of Rethymno (a 45 minute drive). Each villa consists of a modern independent house of 2 floors that can accommodate up to 5 people having exactly the same design. They are on the top of a hill with a panoramic view over the superb Libyan Sea and the full of natural beauty beach of Triopetra which is a 3,5 kilometres walk away. As the villas are not in town, you will need a car for your transfers. (Parking space is available).

A little bit further towards the beach the owner rents out two simular villas (Nikos en Stefania), I estimate at 1 kilometre from Triopetra beach. In one of those villas we stayed a couple of days in 2011. In 2014 we returned for another visit to these villas. What is so fantastic about it is the peace and quiet that you find in this place. If this is what you are looking for I can totally recommend it.

For more information and pictures of the villas in Triopetra - click here.
Telephone 0030 6936610233, 0030 6943488013, 0030 2831026633, fax 0030 2831026661
- Send an e-mail to Triopetra Villas

For more information and pictures of the villas in Triopetra go to their website - click here.

The "Villas - Fournou Lago" complex in Triopetra consists of the 2 luxurious villas Nikos and Stefania. Designed exquisitely, both villas have been built to a very high standard and the quality furnishings and facilities provide for a luxurious vacation in this unspoilt area of Southern Crete that can only be described as paradise.

Built in approximately 4000 metres of land and only 2km from the marvelous beach of Triopetra. Each villa has over one hundred metres of dwelling space over 2 floors and can accommodate 5 people in luxury with all modern facilities included. Each villa has a kitchen with a large fridge, a cooker with hood, a microwave, a coffee machine, an electric kettle and a dishwasher. we also found some delicious food and drinks (wine, raki and fruit juice) in our fridge, and coffee and tea were on the kitchen counter. The water here in Triopetra that comes from the tap is delicious and drinkable! Therefore our fridge probably also had an icecube maker. Upstairs in the bathroom there is a washing machine. On the ground level there is also an extra toilet. There was also a flat screen television and a dvd-player. The living room opens up to a large terrace with seats and both the master bedroom and the other bedroom have a large private balcony.

The panoramic views over the superb Libyan Sea and the full natural beauty of Triopetra by day and night can be enjoyed from both villas. A stroll to the beaches of Triopetra, that many believe are some of the best in Greece, together with small tranquil bays and coves provide the most discerning with crystal clear blue waters and sun drenched unspoilt beaches.

The complex is located in the region Akoumia which is about 50 km south of Rethymno (a 45 minute drive). Triopetra has a small mini market as well as a few taverns where fresh fish and other excellent Greek cuisine is available whilst watching the sun set and stars sparkle over the clear blue Libyan Sea.

Whilst you need go no further for a truly wonderful vacation, you may want to rent a car to explore the nearby market town of Spili, Saturday market at Mires, the many shops and attractions of Rethymno City or the caves of Matala and as such a rental car is recommended for your exploration of this remarkable location. Please see information to make a car rental booking.

To go to the website - click here.

Telephone 0030 6936610233, 0030 6943488013, 0030 2831026633, fax 0030 2831026661
- Send an e-mail to Triopetra Villas

This was really a very nice experience that we had. Because we are lovers of raki (a Greek alcoholic drink) the owner of the Fourni Lagoo Villas in Triopetra, Mike, took us to the distillery of his mother and his brother. This distillery is located in Vrisses, just above the village Akoumia, about a fifteen minutes drive from the villas. It became an afternoon that afterwards we often thought of and that we have talked about throughout the holiday. We were received so kindly and with such warm hospitality in their house that for me it was reminiscent of the early days that I first went to Crete with my parents on holiday (this was in 1974). It brought back childhood memories to me.

In the distillery they make a (very tasty) wine and raki which is very soft and delicious. It was explained and demonstrated to us how the raki is made. Mike's mother of 85 years was working hard to help and she was so sweet. In the cottage at the distillery she set out all sorts of food for us like sardines and eggs, potatos were roasted in the oven outside and there was barbecued meat. When the baker passed the house he was stopped and there was a bread exchanged for a bottle of raki. It really was such a nice afternoon. We had to eat and drink. Empty raki glasses were filled immediately. Really totally 100% Greek. When we left we were handed two one and a half litre bottles of raki. At first I thought "how are we going to drink all of that?", but they were empty sooner than we thought (and hoped), haha. A 10 out of 10 for experience!

The Filenia tavern is situated on the route of Akoumia to Triopetra beach, about two kilometers from the beach, right next to a natural spring. It is run by the extremely friendly Antonius and his wife. Here the Greeks themselves come to eat, and that is not surprising, because the food is excellent. In Filenia there is not a very big menu and the number of dishes offered is limited, but there are original dishes on it and everything is prepared with care. We have eaten here several times and plan to definitely come back on the next visit to Triopetra. We already have tried several salads, "Sfaka pie" with honey, artichoke hearts, tzatziki, a delicious saganaki (fried cheese) and snails.

Our verdict: a 9 out of 10

This tavern can be found on the beach of Triopetra. It is a kind of tavern where you can notice that they only focus on the accidental tourists that are there and that want something to eat. A dime a dozen we call it. It's not bad but it's also not special. We try tzatziki (nice with plenty of garlic), the saganaki (could be better), Greek salad (made without any fantasy) and a special omelette with ham, onion, pepper and tomato, with cheese on top (which tastes of nothing). The house wine is a retsina and tastes good.

Our verdict: a 7 out of 10