Triopetra, Remote beach and village in South Rethymno, Greece
Triopetra is a small coastal village on the southern shore of the Rethymno region in Crete, with two sandy stretches separated by a rocky peninsula from which three tall rock formations rise out of the sea. The beach sits at the foot of cliffs and is surrounded by low hills that set the area apart from the rest of the southern coast.
The village grew during the Byzantine period, when fishermen and monks began to settle along this remote stretch of the southern coast. Monasteries and chapels from that era still stand in the surrounding hills and can be visited today.
The taverns sitting just above the shore serve fresh fish and simple regional dishes, best enjoyed at long wooden tables facing the sea. The pace is slow, and most guests spend hours eating and talking there.
The village sits off the main roads, so a rental car is the best way to get there and explore the surrounding area. Outside of the peak summer weeks, the beaches rarely fill up, making it easy to find space at any point of the day.
The name Triopetra simply means "three stones" in Greek, but the rocks look completely different when seen from water level than from the shore. Swimmers and visitors approaching by boat often notice shapes and details that are not visible from the beach.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
