Welcome to Georgioupolis on the north coast of Crete
Georgioupolis, Crete
Georgioupolis is an idyllic fishing village on the north-western coast of Crete.
A popular seaside resort, known for its long, fine sandy beach and shallow, crystal-clear waters.
An ideal location on Crete
Georgioupolis forms part of the municipality of Apokoronas in the Prefecture of Chania in Crete. It is situated on a beautiful bay by the longest sandy beach on the island, in a river plain lined with Eucalyptus trees, merging further inland into a glorious mountain landscape which beckons to hikers.
The cities of Chania and Rethymno are not far away. Georgioupolis is located about 35 km east of Chania and approx. 22 km west of Rethymno: a very quiet, but central location on Crete, ideal for holidaymakers who would also like to explore the island.
The village is adjacent to the island’s main road, meaning that it is well connected whether by bus or car to the ports and airports in Crete, as well as anywhere else on the island.
Georgioupolis is a very popular holiday destination, especially among holidaymakers from european countries.
Georgioupolis was first founded at the end of the 19th century under the name Almiropolis, but was then renamed Georgioupolis in honour of Prince George of Greece, the first High Commissioner of Crete.
This heavenly spot is ideal, especially for visitors and tourists who want to enjoy a relaxing beach holiday and still prefer to be in a lively, centrally located seaside resort in Crete.
For Georgioupolis always has something to offer its guests: modern hotel facilities, traditional Greek tavernas, cafés, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, confectioners, and numerous souvenir shops and small stores invite you to peruse at your leisure!
A heavenly bay in a lush river plain with a rugged mountain landscape in the background
When you arrive in Georgioupolis, the diversity of this unique place will strike you immediately. On one side you have the curve of the bay, while on the other lies the impressive 'Lekfa Ori' range (White Mountains). In between, you will find three small rivers that flow right through the town. Behind the town, about five kilometres inland, lies the only natural fresh water lake on Crete, Lake Kournas, surrounded by an impressive mountain landscape.
Driving from the old main road, you will pass through an impressive avenue of fragrant eucalyptus trees. These were planted at the beginning of the 20th century, in order to drain the moor landscape which was expanding at that time. Fortunately, the wetland refused to disappear entirely, because it is now under conservation and, what’s more, is a nesting site for various species of birds and animals.
At the town centre, you will then find the 'Platia', the village square, which boasts a variety of tavernas and cafés. Further towards the sea, a new area has been built with a play area, a skate park, benches and a water park for young and old alike.
And right next to it, of course, is the village fishing harbour. It is located under the bridge and at the mouth of the river Almiros, which is only about 1 km in length. The river water is home to turtles and various bird species, among other wildlife. Moreover, it’s particularly suitable for small boat trips. In addition, you can still observe fishermen there today, fishing in the traditional manner with large nets.
The Chapel of Agios Nikolaos is also extraordinary. This top tourist attraction was erected about a century ago right on the sea by a sailor. Agios Nikolaos is the patron saint of sailors, and the church was therefore named after him. The chapel can only be reached by a stone causeway. It’s well worth visiting, as it offers a beautiful view over the beach and town. Wedding ceremonies are also held here during the summer months.
The fine sandy beach of Georgioupolis
The glorious, almost endless beach of Georgioupolis consists mostly of fine sand. It is considered the longest sandy beach on Crete. It’s over 10 km long and ranges (interrupted by some rocky promontories) almost as far as Rethymno.
The quality of the sea water and the cleanliness of the beach has been of such a high standard for so long that it received the blue flag.
There are also lifeguards in beach huts on many sections of the beach in Georgioupolis. On these parts you will always see flags indicating how safe it is to swim in the sea.
Georgioupolis beach promenade begins to the right of the harbour and the Chapel of Agios Nikolaos. It was renewed as recently as 2006. Along the beach promenade, you will find the Corissia Hotels and Corissia Park.
This first stretch of beach is very child-friendly, because the beach descends very gradually into the sea. Moreover, it is well protected from any possible stronger ocean currents.
The village of Georgioupolis: a new kind of holiday resort
The comfortable hotel complexes, the numerous shops and the comprehensive catering and leisure facilities within Georgioupolis virtually transform this picturesque seaside town on the most beautiful sandy beach in Crete into a standardised, heavenly resort. Georgioupolis Resort.
Within a radius of no more than 200 metres, you will find the following in Georgioupolis village:
Sandy beach
Promenade
Fishing harbour
Village square (pedestrian zone)
Free parking
Bank & ATM
Excursions by bus / tourist train
Car & bike rental
Petrol station
Medical practice & pharmacy
Cafés & bars
Tavernas & restaurants
Bakeries & confectioners
Small supermarkets
Newsagents & Tobacconists
Jewellery shops
Souvenir shops
Clothing stores
Small shoe stores
Hairdresser & nail studio
Water sports
Boat trips
Diving
Horse riding
Play park
Corissia Hotels & Resort in Georgioupolis
The Corissia Hotels are situated within the tranquil, picturesque village of Georgioupolis directly by the beach.
"We have made the pulse of this cosy seaside resort an important part of our hotel philosophy, because that is just what holidays on Crete are all about."
Corissia is not an isolated, self-contained resort, but an open, multi-faceted facility right at the tranquil town centre. Three hotels are available to choose from for your next dream holiday in Georgioupolis.
The Corissia Park in Georgioupolis
a spacious park-like area for recreation and relaxation in the middle of the seaside resort. Separated only by the small promenade from the shallow sea and the fine sandy beach.
For your activities, entertainment and your daily meals we have chosen the most beautiful place of our facilities directly by the sea, avoiding separate dining rooms in the respective hotel buildings. Unlimited culinary delights for breakfast, lunch or dinner with direct sea view.
Depending on your choice of hotel, Corissia Park is a maximum of 1-3 minutes' walk from your room. At Corissia Park you will find:
- sea view hotel restaurant
- à la carte Restaurant
- freshwater swimming pool
- sunbathing lawn and sandy beach
Other hotels in Georgioupolis and surroundings
You will also find other small hotels, guesthouses and apartments in Georgioupolis village, such as the Paradise Hotel, the Appartements Papadakis, Hotel Zorbas, Hotel Eko Suites and the modern hotel, Anna’s House. The latter is situated a few hundred metres outside the village in the direction of the next locality, 'Exopolis'.
Along the kilometre-long sandy beach, beyond the village of Georgioupolis, you will also find many other hotel facilities, especially in the next village of 'Kavros'. Famous hotel names are for example Mare Monte, Pilot Beach Resort, Anemos Luxury Grand Resort, Georgioupolis Resort Aquapark & Spa, Mythos Palace, Delphina Art, Vantaris Palace, Eliros Mare, Vantaris Beach, Orpheas Resort, Happy Days and Hydramis Palace Beach Resort, among others.
If you decide to stay in a Corissia Hotel you have the option of making a direct reservation.
Events & Activities in Georgioupolis
Already here, or planning your holiday in Georgioupolis?
At Corissia Events, you’re sure to find just the activities that will let you spend a truly interesting and diverse holiday. Entertaining events, functions and other offers are updated daily and await you here. Enjoy!
Interesting facts about Georgioupolis
Getting to Georgioupolis
Georgioupolis is adjacent to the main road on the island, meaning that it is well connected whether by bus or car to the ports and airports in Crete. Whilst Chania Airport is in fact significantly closer than Heraklion Airport, the latter is currently used more often by international flights. When you arrive in one of the two airports on the island, you have the following transport options to Georgioupolis:
Coaches by tour operators
All major tour operators offer a bus transfer to Georgioupolis if you have booked the holiday package with a transfer accordingly. Please note that travel time to Georgioupolis can take significantly longer, because coaches often stop at many towns and hotel resorts before Georgioupolis.
Airport Shuttle to the Corissia Hotels
If you make a reservation directly with one of the Corissia Hotels you will be offered a private transfer directly to Georgioupolis (without stopovers). As a rule, there is already a driver at the airport on your arrival and you will be driven to the hotel quickly and without any intermediate stops.
Car rental
At the airport, you have also the option of renting a car and driving to Georgioupolis yourself. It is usually absolutely straightforward to drive to Georgioupolis with a rental car, even if you have never been to Crete before. The town is located directly on Crete’s main road, it is very unlikely that you will get lost with adequate preparation! If you are also planning on exploring Crete during your holiday, a rental car would certainly be a very good idea. Car rental deals can be found here.
Taxi
You are always sure to find a taxi to take you directly to Georgioupolis at both Chania and Heraklion Airport.
Public bus
The public bus is certainly the most economical way to travel to Georgioupolis. Usually, however, you need to get from the airport to the bus station in Heraklion or Chania and then change buses. In addition, the public buses are sometimes overcrowded, as such we would rather advise against this option when arriving with luggage.
Parking in Georgioupolis
Within Georgioupolis village, you will find several public parking spaces / parking lots. You can also park your car at the side of the road in many quiet streets. There are no paid multi-storey carparks in Georgioupolis.
Bank & ATMs in Georgioupolis
You can withdraw money with your debit or credit card around the clock from the ATMs in Georgioupolis village square. A branch of the Bank of Chania is also situated in town.
Public bus from Georgioupolis
The public bus passes by Georgioupolis every hour connecting the most important cities on Crete: Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion. The bus stop is located on the adjacent main road, just a few hundred metres from Georgioupolis village square. Please acquaint yourself with the current bus schedule from Georgioupolis directly at the bus stop.
Pharmacy in Georgioupolis
The pharmacy is located on Georgioupolis village square. There you will find all common medicines as well as various toiletries and sunscreen. If you’re on regular medication, it is of course recommended to bring your own.
Doctors in Georgioupolis
There are also general medical practices with a 24 hour on-call service in Georgioupolis. If necessary, the doctor can also come to your hotel room. For medical emergencies, as well as the state hospital, there is also a modern private clinic with medical specialists in Chania. For holidaymakers who regularly need dialysis during their holiday, modern dialysis centres are available in Chania.
It’s recommended to buy travel health insurance before a vacation. In the case of an acute illness or an accident, travel insurance not only enables you to be transported home as necessary without complications, but also provides optimal medical care locally, for example by highly qualified specialists.
Diving in Georgioupolis
Paradise Diving Center
In Petres, a small village on the eastern end of the long, sandy beach in Georgioupolis, beginners and experienced divers alike have the opportunity to discover the beautiful world beneath the waves of Crete. Wonderful boat dives are offered daily, as well as very special wreck and cave dives with special equipment. The diving centre also offers PADI scuba diving courses by professional divers with appropriate certification for both beginners and professionals, from the Scuba Diver to the Open Water Diver course and from Rescue Diver to Divemaster. More information under: diving-center.gr
Horse riding in Georgioupolis
Zoraïda’s Horse Riding
Crete has been a popular hiking destination for decades. Glorious hiking routes in the area surrounding Georgioupolis offer absolutely ideal conditions for riding: long beaches, green hills, trails alongside olive groves and vines, quaint villages overlooking the sea, a mountain lake... A pretty impressive and extremely varied backdrop for exciting rides. Kristi and her team in Zoraïda's Horse Riding offer fascinating daily horseback riding for beginners and experienced riders, as well as guided rides for children. More information under: zoraidas-horseriding.com
Excursions offered in Georgioupolis
The tourist train "Talos Express"
You can reach beautiful day trip destinations close to Georgioupolis with the small public tourist train, the Talos Express. For instance, take a trip to Kournas, a mountain lake and the only natural freshwater lake in Crete, or to the Argyroupolis Springs, an impressive backdrop with small, picturesque waterfalls. Visit nearby traditional Cretan villages and enjoy many more nearby attractions at your leisure. The tourist train departs daily directly from Corissia Park.
"Georgioupolis Safari"
Crete may not be famed for its safaris, as wildlife isn’t spotted that often; however, many small, hidden treasures await you a few hundred meters from the thoroughfares: secluded beaches, high mountains and deep gorges, faraway mountain villages, ancient buildings, medieval castles and beautiful, breathtaking nature. Should you be reluctant to discover the hidden Crete on your own, Georgioupolis Safari is at your disposal with off-road terrain vehicles and experienced guides. More information under: www.georgioupolissafari.gr
Boat trips from Georgioupolis
Yacht Aphrodite Daily Cruises
The small 'Yacht Aphrodite' offers fascinating boat trips along the steep coastal cliffs north of Georgioupolis: Discover heavenly shoreline caves that transition into long underwater caves; jump into the turquoise waters during the journey, and let the small hidden bays, such as Omprogialos, take you by surprise. Private boat trips can also be reserved. More information and photo material at: Aphrodite Daily Cruises on Facebook
Pedal boats and canoeing in Georgioupolis
Pedal boat rental "Turtle River"
When you cross the bridge over the harbour of Georgioupolis, you will reach the small ‘Turtle River’ pedal boat rentals on the other side in the direction of 'Kalivaki' beach. As you paddle along the river of Georgioupolis, you will discover a beautiful landscape, where many small turtles also live.
Pedal boat rental at Lake Kournas
You can also admire nature at the nearby mountain lake of Kournas completely at your leisure with a pedal boat or canoe. The lake is only about 4 km from Georgioupolis.
Selected trips and excursions from Georgioupolis
Georgioupolis is an ideal location from which to explore central and western Crete on day trips by bus or rental car. You can also take many of these trips also by bike or motorbike. Bring the basics, including drinking water and enough sunscreen, in a small daypack; If you want to take a short walk in between times, shoes with a firm grip are also very useful.
The mountain lake of Kournas
Situated in the immediate vicinity, only 4 km from Georgioupolis, Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater lake in Crete, lying at the north-eastern foot of the White Mountains. It is an important habitat for rare turtles (the diamondback terrapin), green lizards and various species of bird and dragonfly.
Argyroupolis Springs
The idyllic mountain village of Argyroupolis is also located at the north-eastern foot of the White Mountains, just 16 km from Georgioupolis, on the territory of the ancient city of Lappa. Visitors here experience a stunning setting with picturesque waterfalls, romantic tavernas, small chapels and narrow streets.
Tour through the White Mountains
'Remote villages and secluded valleys'
This scenic tour takes you around two distinctive peaks of the White Mountains, Fourni and Agathes, each approximately 1500 m high. You will enter remote villages on tiny plateaus, where only a handful of people live.
Georgioupolis - Askifou plateau - Kares - Imbros - Asfendou - Kallikratis - Myriokefala - Argyroupolis (approx. 80 km)
Tour through the peninsula of Apokoronas
On this peninsula, which juts out between Georgioupolis and the Bay of Souda on the Aegean, you have time enough for a chat with the locals in the lovely coffee shops, for a short hike in natural surroundings, and for a dip and lunch right by the sea. During all of this, white mountains, sea, the Akrotiri peninsula and the city of Chania can often all be seen from the same viewpoint.
Georgioupolis - Vamos - Douliana - Gavalochori - Almirida - Kokkino Chorio - Ombros Gialos (approx. 50 km)
Excursion to the ancient city of Aptera
Georgioupolis - Aptera - Stilos - Fres - Vafes (approx. 70 km)
A colourful mix right next to Georgioupolis: visit an antique theatre with magnificent views of the White Mountains, set foot in colossal cisterns dating back to the Roman period, explore two ancient churches and walk for about 20 minutes through a narrow, lush green ravine to a cave of historical significance.
Circular route through the hill country at the northern foot of the White Mountains
'Plenty of nature and a touch of history'
This tour is an absolute must for nature lovers.
Georgioupolis - Agia - Botanical Park of Crete - Meskla - Therisso (approx. 140 km)
Excursion to the south of Rethymno
'Palm-lined Beach and Oak Forest'
Today, a dip at a palm-lined beach, a short hike and a small shopping trip are on the cards. You will wander through old tombs in the oak woods of Armeni and wade through a cold river in a palm grove, experience the curious museum of a priest in a mountain village, visit an abandoned monastery of great historic value and rest by a stream spanned by a very photogenic Ottoman bridge.
Georgioupolis - Armeni - Koxare - Kourtaliatiko Gorge - Asomatos - Preveli - Myrthios - Kotsifou Gorge (approx. 90 km)
Excursion to the Lassithi Plateau
''Birth Cave of Zeus'
The Lassithi Plateau in the Dikti mountain range has become world famous due to its countless, canvas-covered windmills. Today, they are almost only to be seen on old postcards. The dripstone cave, in which Zeus, father of the gods, was raised by the goat Amaltheia, is still there. The plain and the drive up also offer great scenic beauty, dotted with interesting monasteries, a whimsical museum and beautiful village squares.
Georgioupolis - Stalida - Mochos - Kardiotissas Monastery - Museum of Mankind - Ambelos Afin - Psychro Cave of Zeus - Avdou - Potamies - Chersonissos (approx. 320 km)
Corissia Travel Guide
Discover heavenly Crete for yourself
Georgioupolis, a mild Mediterranean climate
Crete has a temperate, Mediterranean climate. The winter is mild and humid, and the summer is warm with low humidity. The rainy season usually runs from the beginning of November until early March, although snowfall in the coastal region is extremely rare. Nevertheless, the winter can be very cold in the mountainous areas: you can still discern snow on the high mountain peaks right into the late summer months.
What is the best time to travel to Georgioupolis?
The climate table below will help you to find your optimal travel time:
Air
Temperature in Georgioupolis, Crete | |
January | 15° |
February | 16° |
March | 17° |
April | 21° |
May | 24° |
June | 28° |
July | 30° |
August | 29° |
September | 27° |
October | 23° |
November | 21° |
December | 17° |
Sea
Water temperature in Georgioupolis, Crete | |
January | 16° |
February | 16° |
March | 17° |
April | 19° |
May | 20° |
June | 22° |
July | 24° |
August | 25° |
September | 24° |
October | 23° |
November | 20° |
December | 17° |
Sun
Hours of sunshine in Georgioupolis, Crete | |
January | 5 |
February | 5 |
March | 7 |
April | 8 |
May | 10 |
June | 12 |
July | 13 |
August | 12 |
September | 10 |
October | 8 |
November | 6 |
December | 5 |
Holidays
An island full of surprises
A holiday destination for bathing enthusiasts, nature lovers, hikers, and those interested in history and culture. Today, Crete is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean - cosmopolitan and mysterious at the same time.
Popular hotels on the sandy beach
The Corissia Hotels are situated within the tranquil, picturesque village of Georgioupolis right on the sandy beach. An ideal seaside resort both to relax and explore the island, because that is just what holidays on Crete are all about.
Let yourself be pampered