In tranquil Finix on the western south coast of Crete, mass tourism is still a foreign word. The small pebble bay is the perfect starting point for boat trips to the picturesque neighbouring bays and the family-run hotel on the beach is the ideal retreat from hectic everyday life.
Finix is a tranquil village in the west of Crete and lies about 80km south of Chania. Apart from the high season, when several tourists gather in the quiet hotels and cosy tavernas, Finix (Phoenix) with its peaceful atmosphere is ideal for all those who want to switch off and recharge their batteries on holiday in Crete.
Once the ancient city of Phoenix, port city of Anopolis, was located here. Ruins of millennia-old walls can still be found near Loutro.
Table of contents
Directions to Finix
The best way to get to Finix is by boat. Ferries to Loutro (on the eastern side of the peninsula) depart from Chora Sfakion, Agia Roumeli at the end of the Samaria Gorge, Sougia or Paleochora. From Loutro, the walk over the hill takes only 15 minutes. There is also a track to Finix via Anopolis and Livaniana, but this connection is much more time-consuming than the sea route.
Holiday in Finix Bay
In Finix, recreation is a priority, party animals are wrong here. A day of swimming under the umbrellas and tamarisk trees on the small pebble beach, snorkelling in the crystal-clear water, hiking in the rocky hinterland or a canoe trip to the beautiful bays in the neighbourhood are the most popular holiday activities in Finix.
Far from the noise of the streets, the sound of the sea and the bells of the goats are the predominant soundscape in Phoenix Bay.
Most nights are spent at the Old Phoenix, a cosy family-run hotel with a view of the Libyan Sea. The restaurant serves simple but typical Cretan cuisine, and if you are looking for a change of pace for dinner, you can walk over the hill to Loutro - you'll be there in a quarter of an hour!
Excursions from Finix
Around Finix Bay there are other bays whose beaches are worth a stopover. For example, the idyllic beach of Lykos further west, which is only separated from Finix Bay by a large rock.
Also recommended is a hike to the nearby Marmara beach. The route is part of the popular European long-distance hiking trail E4 and also leads to the seaward exit of the Aradena Gorge.
If you get bored in Finix, you should walk to nearby Loutro. The 700m walk over the hill to the other side of the peninsula takes about 15 minutes. In the small holiday settlement there are tavernas, shops and another nice bathing bay.
PICTURES: Finix Bay, Lykos and Marmara Beach
