Katholiko Bay is a narrow inlet on Akrotiri Peninsula, near the Chania Airport, on the Greek Island of Crete. This sliver of turquoise water, bordered by crusty white rock, can only be reached on foot.
Starting at Gouverneto Monastery car park, the trail initially follows the pilgrimage path to Arkoudospilio Cave, the Cave of St. John the Hermit, and the abandoned Katholiko Monastery. Next, the trail drops down to the bed of Katholiko Gorge (aka Avlaki Gorge) and then gracefully contours through the rocky landscape to the hidden bay.
Our hike to Katholiko Bay was a favorite in Crete, thanks to the winding trail that snakes through the dramatic Katholiko Gorge before meeting the sea. It’s stunning!!!
Good to know: Though there are many videos and articles promoting swimming at Katholiko Beach, there is actually no beach and swimming is strictly prohibited. At the trailhead, a sign states that Katholiko Bay lies within private monastery grounds—reserved for pilgrims, worshippers, and walkers, not for swimmers or sunbathers.
- Trailhead: Gouverneto Monastery car park | Google Maps
- Distance: 4.3 km out-and-back
- Time Needed: 2:10 hours
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 342 meters
- Difficulty: Easy – Moderate
- Minimum Elevation: 17 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 271 meters
- Entrance Fee: Yes, only seasonally
- Where to Stay in Chania: Theta Seaside Boutique Hotel (budget-midrange), Malmo Historic Hotel (midrange), Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor (luxury), or AZADE Chania (luxury)
Katholiko Bay Hiking Map
Essential Trail Info
How to Get to Gouverneto Monastery | The easiest way to get to Gouverneto Monastery is by driving. You will drive past Agia Triada Monastery (Holy Trinity Monastery) on the way. We rented a car at Chania Airport for our trip to Crete. Otherwise, you need to organize a taxi drop-off and pick-up.
Hiking Season | Spring (March – May) or autumn (October – November), when temperatures are mild.
Difficulty | This is an easy-moderate hike. The way to Katholiko Monastery mostly follows an uneven cobbled pathway with some stairs. The trail through the gorge is rocky, but mostly flat.
Trail Variations | This is a straightforward out-and-back hike. There are no variations.
Where to Eat | We’ve heard great things about Alibertos Food & Wine (Google Maps), located about halfway between Gouverneto Monastery and Chania.
Responsible Travel & Code of Conduct | Drones, dogs, smoking, cycling, and coffee cups are all prohibited. As stated earlier, swimming and sunbathing are also not allowed at Katholiko Bay. Also, dress respectfully, as you would when entering a church or any sacred place. According to the mounted sign, this means no bathing suits, shorts, or sleeveless shirts.
Safety | Wear shoes, not flip flops, and bring sufficient water.
Katholiko Gorge and Katholiko Bay Trail Description
Gouverneto Monastery to Arkoudospilio Cave (20 minutes)
Facing north, locate the gate on the left side of the car park. Note that this gate closes at 7 pm.
Just beyond the gate, there is a ticket booth. During the main holiday season, all visitors including hikers must pay a small entrance fee.
Follow the road that runs alongside the stone wall of Gouverneto Monastery. Before long, the monastery will appear on your left. Continue walking along the fence.
With views of the sea, the gravel trail turns into a cobbled path, gently descending across an arid and sunbaked landscape, strewn with low-lying vegetation.
The path leads to the weathered monastery ruins that stand before the mouth of the Arkoudospilio Cave.
In Hellenisitc times, the large Arkoudospilio Cave served as a temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. It’s called Bear Cave, named for the large, animal-shaped stalagmite near its entrance. Here, sacrifices were performed to the goddess. Later, the cave was turned into a Christian chapel and monastery.
Arkoudospilio Cave to Katholiko Monastery (20 minutes)
As the cobbled path drops down in serpentines, the rugged limestone walls of Katholiko Gorge come fully into view.
Between the cliff and a rock wall barrier, steep stairs lead down to the cave of St. John the Hermit and the monastery ruins of Saint John the Hermit (aka Katholiko monastery). The Katholiko monastery church is built directly into the cliff.
For centuries, this was a religious center dedicated to the practice of asceticism. Monks lived in isolated caves and hermitages, devoting their life to prayer and self-discipline. Katholiko flourished during both the Byzantine and Venetian Eras, the latter which contributed to the final form of the monastery structure. It was abandoned in the 17th century due to frequent pirate attacks.
Katholiko Monastery – Katholiko Gorge – Katholiko Bay (20 minutes)
To access the Katholiko gorge trail, hike down the steps to the lower level of the monastery, beneath the church. Maintain the same direction, with the arches on your left and another monastic structure on your right.
After descending the cliff to the bed of the gorge, the trail levels and passes through the giant arch of the monastery.
Though very short, this gorge trail is sensational due to the rugged limestone walls, creamy-white on a sunny day.
Compared to other gorge hikes like Aradena Gorge there are no technical passages, requiring clamoring over boulders or traversing steep scree fields. Similar to Aradena you may come across a goat carcass whilst hiking through the gorge.
The narrow bay of Katholiko is the final destination along this short and sweet hike. Though the journey through the limestone gorge lasts no more than twenty minutes, it left us quietly awestruck.
The trail does not officially continue, but wonderful views await on either side of the inlet.
Katholiko Bay to Gouverneto Monastery (1:10 hours)
Return to Gouverneto Monastery along the same trail.
Where to Stay in Chania
Vibrant and effortlessly charming, Chania is a must-visit city in Crete. Spend a few days here to soak in its lively atmosphere, savor its delicious cuisine, and wander through its picturesque narrow streets.
We recommend booking a hotel within walking distance of the historic town of Chania. However, if you’re renting a car and you want to stay in a seafront location, check out Tanneries Hotel & Spa and Elia Sea Suites.
Good to Know | Many accommodations have a minimum stay requirement of 2+ nights.
Parking | The old town of Chania is a tangle of narrow lanes. Unsurprisingly, most accommodations do not offer on-site parking. Reach out to your accommodation for parking instructions before arrival.
Where We Stayed – Budget/Midrange | Theta Seaside Boutique Hotel is a modern boutique hotel located between the Venetian Port and Koum Kapi neighborhood. We loved the location, our stylish sea-facing room, equipped with a nespresso machine and kettle, and the hospitality. We parked across the street in the free car park.
Midrange | Set in the heart of the Old Town, 3-star Malmo Historic Hotel offers tastefully-furnished rooms and breakfast, served on the terrace.
Midrange-Luxury | Aisha Hotel offers a prime location in the Old Town with suites either facing the city or the Venetian Harbor (book a deluxe suite with sea view). During high season, the area can get lively due to nearby clubs—something to keep in mind if you’re seeking a quieter stay.
Luxury | Monastery Estate Venetian Harbor offers minimalist design suites–some with private terraces and hot tubs–along with spa facilities and a delicious breakfast, served in the hotel courtyard. The hotel is housed in a restored 16th-century mansion of a Venetian nobleman that later served as the residence of a senior Ottoman official and his harem. During the restoration process, archaeologists uncovered ancient Roman walls, which are visible today under a glass display.
Luxury | Nestled inside a lovingly-restored 17th-century Venetian villa, AZADE Chania enchants with its beautifully designed rooms and delicious Cretan breakfast—an irresistible retreat in the heart of the Old Town.
More Crete Travel & Hiking Guides
Hiking:
- Best Hikes in Crete
- Aradena Gorge Hike
- Loutro – Sweet Water Beach Hike
- Lissos Gorge Hike in Sougia
- Red Beach Trail in Matala
- Kourtaliotiko Gorge
Travel:
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