Glika Nera Beach
Glika Nera Beach
4.5
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33 within 3 miles
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10 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
205 reviews
Excellent
158
Very good
36
Average
6
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Konstantinos V
Orestiada, Greece16 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Save your money and effort. Stay away from this tourist trap. People here see you in your wallet and nothing more.
Waters are nice but you can find such beaches EVERYWHERE in Greece and Crete in more affordable prices and of course friendlier people.
Looking back, I could have used my time for faaaaaar better places around.
Waters are nice but you can find such beaches EVERYWHERE in Greece and Crete in more affordable prices and of course friendlier people.
Looking back, I could have used my time for faaaaaar better places around.
Written August 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No lines
England, UK82 contributions
Sep 2018
A stunning beach also known as Sweetwater Beach on account of the fresh water that bubbles up through the pebbles and sand.
It has a restaurant on a pontoon where the boats dock which you must try. Fabulous service and food for somewhere so remote.
The beach is long and a wonderful place for sunbathing. About 2/3 of the beach is naturist and the third near the restaurant is for swimsuits. Both sections have sunbeds and umbrellas. The naturist section was much busier than the clothed section.
You can get the boat there from hora skafion or walk from Loutro along a lovely coastal walk with some idyllic spots for a skinny dip on the way
You can walk out up to the road towards hora Skafion but this a walk only for those with a very very good head for heights. The walk along the road from the top is long so best to park on the road if you really don’t want to do the boat trip.
It has a restaurant on a pontoon where the boats dock which you must try. Fabulous service and food for somewhere so remote.
The beach is long and a wonderful place for sunbathing. About 2/3 of the beach is naturist and the third near the restaurant is for swimsuits. Both sections have sunbeds and umbrellas. The naturist section was much busier than the clothed section.
You can get the boat there from hora skafion or walk from Loutro along a lovely coastal walk with some idyllic spots for a skinny dip on the way
You can walk out up to the road towards hora Skafion but this a walk only for those with a very very good head for heights. The walk along the road from the top is long so best to park on the road if you really don’t want to do the boat trip.
Written September 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cretaphile
Chester, UK118 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
Sweetwater Beach is an absolute must-visit beach, especially if you're staying in Loutro. We took a small boat there every day while we were staying in Loutro as the main town beach is too busy for our liking. The short journey by boat is wonderful; the views of the limestone cliffs descending straight into the clear turquoise water is breathtaking. Arriving at Sweetwater for the first time takes your breath away it's so awesome, but at the same time is an experience we never tired of. The beach is sublime and swimming in the sea is wonderful especially as the temperature of the water is so refreshing (due to the fresh water from the mountains merging into the sea). It's such a novelty to be able to sit on the beach and scoop up fresh drinking water with your hands. The goats are very accomplished gymnasts as they descend from the mountains onto the beach without losing their footing. There's a lovely taverna there and sunbeds if you feel the need.
Written August 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
312Paolo
Zlin, Czech Republic215 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
This famous beach with some streams of fresh and drinkable water is accesible only by boat from Loutro or Sfakia or on foot. From the road Sfakia - Anopoli is the A4 footpath (signed on road), there is also possible to park a car. For reach the beach we need cca 50 minuts of walk. During the way are few difficult places, thus good shoes are necessary.
Beach is very impressive, under massive rock is a flat sandy and pebble beach with width approx. 50 m. Acces to the water is also very easy and flat. There is not a shade during the sunshine, only shadow is under several trees located on eastern part of beach.
Taverna offers good meal and the best Frappe I have ever tried. Umbrelas and sunbeds are for rent in restaurant too. If you take a sunbed firs don`t worry, somebody from staff ask you for paying after.
As usual in Sfakia this beach also is used as clothing optional. Only regulation is close to taverna, where the nudity is forbiden (info banner is there). Eastern part is almost 100% naturist.
Water from streams (water wells) is possible to drink. Every well is signed (drink, shower, cooling). Toilet is close to taverna.
Beach is very impressive, under massive rock is a flat sandy and pebble beach with width approx. 50 m. Acces to the water is also very easy and flat. There is not a shade during the sunshine, only shadow is under several trees located on eastern part of beach.
Taverna offers good meal and the best Frappe I have ever tried. Umbrelas and sunbeds are for rent in restaurant too. If you take a sunbed firs don`t worry, somebody from staff ask you for paying after.
As usual in Sfakia this beach also is used as clothing optional. Only regulation is close to taverna, where the nudity is forbiden (info banner is there). Eastern part is almost 100% naturist.
Water from streams (water wells) is possible to drink. Every well is signed (drink, shower, cooling). Toilet is close to taverna.
Written November 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
roytoma
Hammerfest, Norway5 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
Sweetwater beach is a very special beach. It is just beneath a tall tall mountain side and the beach is no more that 30 meters from the sea to the mountain. In order to come here you must walk, either from Loutro or from the road between Chora Sfakion and Anapolis. If you walk from the road it is a steep path that at times can be difficult to see, but still safe to walk. But the most special is still the fact that on the beach you'll find small springs with cold sweetwater, hence the name. In some of them you can use the water for a shower and in some you can wash your clothes.
There is also a tiny taverna with some essential food. Not much but what you need for a day..
This is truly a special beach..
There is also a tiny taverna with some essential food. Not much but what you need for a day..
This is truly a special beach..
Written October 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Macfromscotland
Edinburgh, UK235 contributions
Aug 2012 • Couples
A super beach with great swimming, nude sunbathing and a friendly if basic taverna.
We've often parked the car at the layby above Sfakia, where the sign for this beach is clearly marked. The walk along a narrow path has fantastic views but definitely not flip flops as you will need decent trainers. Also, not a great idea for young children. You can take a small caique from either Sfakia or Loutro, we usually do the walk then take the caique back.
It's a good work out to keep walking to Loutro. Remember a hat and water though as it's baking hot!
The lay-by drawback is, once you get back to Sfakia, it's a long and hot walk up to it. I usually leave my family in a shady taverna and do it in about 30 mins. Well worth a day trip.
We've often parked the car at the layby above Sfakia, where the sign for this beach is clearly marked. The walk along a narrow path has fantastic views but definitely not flip flops as you will need decent trainers. Also, not a great idea for young children. You can take a small caique from either Sfakia or Loutro, we usually do the walk then take the caique back.
It's a good work out to keep walking to Loutro. Remember a hat and water though as it's baking hot!
The lay-by drawback is, once you get back to Sfakia, it's a long and hot walk up to it. I usually leave my family in a shady taverna and do it in about 30 mins. Well worth a day trip.
Written July 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrsBParky
Dubai, United Arab Emirates29 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
In Crete for a long weekend for a wedding, we had 1 full free day, so googled "secluded beaches" and came across loads of info for Sweetwater Beach. It was meant to be! The drive from Rethmynon is a scenic 80 mins through the mountain towards the south and we left our car in Sfakia near the bakery and walked down to the harbour to find a boat. The whole thing is honestly effortless and super easy. The locals are adorable and some lovely women in the bakery advised us on where to go to catch the boat. Unfortunately we arrived quite late in the day so missed the public 4 euro boat to the beach, but we were able to charter a boat within 5 mins for 25 euros. The boat trip takes just 10 mins along the coastline and drops you directly at the Mermaid Taverna jutting out from a gangplank in the midde of the bay. It is divine!!! We immediately sat down and ordered fresh fish, zuchini balls and octopus salad with red wine to wash it down. The view is beautiful over the crystal clear cove. The meal came to 28 euro for 2 of us and was so simple and delicious. Yorgos the owner and his two young boys serve the customers and are a delight to meet. After a lovely long lunch we decided to walk away from the crowds (crowds being 10 people!!) to the far eastern end of the beach where it was quieter. The only drawback being that this end of the beach was the naturist section but it certainly didn't bother us, and most of the nudists are over 60. We spent the next 2 hours lounging on the pebble beach and occasionally taking a dip in the sublime crystal waters. This really was the most perfect day, culminating in another glass of wine at the Mermaid Taverna while waiting for the public boat at 5.30 back to Sfakia.
For future reference the public boat leaves Sfakia daily at 11am and returns at 5.30pm and is 4 euros per person each way. If you are late or want to go at a different time, expect to pay 25 euros.
For future reference the public boat leaves Sfakia daily at 11am and returns at 5.30pm and is 4 euros per person each way. If you are late or want to go at a different time, expect to pay 25 euros.
Written August 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gregory K
Gloucester, UK210 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
Sweetwater Bay (Glyka Nera) is a magical place. Accessible only by foot or by taxi-boat, it boasts its own off-shore tavern and two small pools of mineral-rich, potable water, and fine sand. When the ferry was cancelled, postponing our departure from Loutro, we walked to Sweetwater Bay and pitched our small tent on the beach. As the sun began to set, one by one everyone else packed up and headed for the E4 coastal path, leaving us in idyllic solitude. Bliss!
Written May 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew A
Athens, Greece24 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
By far the best beach near Chora Sfakion. Long beach with pebbles and crystal clear amazing waters. There are also spots where you can find sweet water to wash yourself after your diving in the water. Half of the beach is occupied usually by naturists which is a great thing and in my opinion the way this beach should be experienced. The other half is textile with umbrellas and a great on water little taverna. The path that leads to the beach is worth the experience!
Written August 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eugene F
Limassol City, Cyprus37 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We went to sfakia and from there grabbed a 15 minute boat ride to sweet water beach (delfini boat).
It's quiet and serene as you can only get there by boat (I think google says you can drive but not too sure)
It has very clear waters, and there is a nudist part on the edge.
Worth a visit if you happen to be near chora sfakion.
It's quiet and serene as you can only get there by boat (I think google says you can drive but not too sure)
It has very clear waters, and there is a nudist part on the edge.
Worth a visit if you happen to be near chora sfakion.
Written July 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ciao,
vorrei capire quale è il parcheggio vicino al piccolo gazebo "delfini". Quello visualizzato in google maps con Easy Parking? Per capire dove parcheggiare per andare a Lutro.
I biglietti del taxi,inoltre, dove si fanno? A bordo e sono a tratta singola?
Grazie mille
Written August 2, 2019
Ciao, noi abbiamo parcheggiato subito prima del paesino a pagamento €3/5 al giorno, i biglietti abbiamo fatto nel gazebo situato nella parte sx del paese nel porto nuovo e generalmente a/r , fermatevi anche a Glika nera perché è meravigliosa!!!! , guarda tutte le recensioni ciao buona vacanza
Written August 2, 2019
No lines
England, United Kingdom
82 contributions
Not usually but can whip up if the wind is onshore.
Written September 21, 2018
ciao, andrò a creta a fine settembre e vorrei visitare sia loutro che glyka nera. avete idea di una cadenza di questi famosi taxi boat? non ho capito se ne esiste solo uno che fa andata al mattino e ritorno la sera o se ci sono più corse. noi arriveremo a chora sfakion in mattinata (arrivando da matala) e vorremmo organizzare al meglio la giornata. grazie mille. fabrizio.
Written August 30, 2016
Potreste arrivare a Loutro in prima mattina, visitare la cittadina per scattare qualche bella foto, poi andare a piedi a Glika Nera. Dopo aver gustato qualcosa di buono nella taverna sull'acqua penserete al ritorno: o a piedi di nuovo passando per Loutro o meglio, aspettando un taxi boat che vi riporta a Chora Sfakion.
Buon divertimento! Creta è meravigliosa e sufficientemente economica.
A Matala non mancare di prendere un mojito alla spiaggia rossa!
Written August 31, 2016
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