Damnoni Beach
Best for. Swimmers and families who want a calmer, more sheltered cove than open Plakias, with sunbeds close at hand.
Best spot. The main sandy cove for easy clear water swimming, with the smaller coves to the east for more quiet.
Know this. The main cove gets busy in peak summer, so come early, and note the smaller coves are known for naturism.
Damnoni is the sheltered little sister to breezy Plakias, a short drive east around the headland. Where Plakias is long, open and often windy, Damnoni is a compact cove tucked into the rock, which gives it calmer, clearer water and a cosier feel. It is the beach locals and returning visitors head to when they want an easy swim rather than a long walk on open sand, and the water quality is the draw.
The main cove has the comforts you want for a relaxed day, with seasonal sunbeds, a taverna and parking just behind the sand, so you can arrive, swim and eat without much effort. The rocks at either end are good for gentle snorkelling, and the sheltered aspect makes it a more reliable swimming choice than the exposed beaches nearby. Just to the east lie two smaller, wilder coves, quieter and long associated with naturism, for anyone who wants to walk a little further for more space.
The honest caveat is popularity. Damnoni is small and well known, so in July and August the main cove and its car park fill early and the easy charm can give way to a crush by midday. The fix is simple. Come in the morning or out of peak season, or walk over to the smaller coves next door, and you get the calm clear water that made the place a favourite in the first place. For sheltered swimming on this stretch of coast, it is one of the best.
Clubs on this beach
Damnoni is a small public cove with seasonal sunbeds and a taverna rather than a named beach club. Those sunbeds and the taverna behind them are the closest thing to a club here. Names and hours change year to year, so confirm before you travel, and use the Crete beach clubs guide for the wider island picture.
Seasonal beach bar and sunbeds
Sunbeds, umbrellas and a taverna behind the main cove. Operator names and prices to be confirmed.
South coast, Crete
Damnoni lies just east of Plakias on the south coast of the Rethymno region, reached on a short road around the headland from the main resort. From Rethymno town the drive is around fifty minutes, coming down through the Kotsifou gorge and on past Plakias, with parking behind the main cove.
Seasonal buses serve Plakias from Rethymno in summer, and from there Damnoni is a short drive or a walk over the headland. A car makes reaching the smaller coves next door much easier, and the main cove car park is the obvious place to start.
Photo: Victoria Gogonaki via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a club near Damnoni. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Damnoni
Is Damnoni better than Plakias?
They suit different days rather than one being better. Damnoni is a small sheltered cove with calmer, clearer water and a cosier feel, while Plakias is a long open beach with more facilities and an afternoon breeze. Many people stay near Plakias and pop to Damnoni for the swimming.
Is Damnoni good for swimming and snorkelling?
Yes. The cove is sheltered and usually calm, the water is clear, and the rocks at either end are good for gentle snorkelling. It is one of the more reliable swimming beaches on this stretch of coast, though there is no guaranteed lifeguard, so always judge the sea yourself.
Does Damnoni get busy?
It can. The main cove is small and well known, so in July and August it and its car park fill early and feel crowded by midday. Coming in the morning, visiting out of peak season, or walking to the smaller coves next door all help you find space.
Are the coves near Damnoni naturist beaches?
The two smaller coves just to the east of the main beach are quieter and have long been associated with naturism. The main Damnoni cove itself is a regular family beach. If this matters to you either way, it is worth knowing before you choose where to settle.
Are there sunbeds and a taverna at Damnoni?
Yes. The main cove has seasonal sunbeds and umbrellas and a taverna behind the sand, along with parking, which makes for an easy day. Operators, prices and opening times change from year to year, so confirm them locally rather than relying on last season's information.
