Chania Frangokastello beach

General information

Frangokastello is one of the most famous beaches in Crete, known for the namesake Venetian castle and the myth of the Drosoulites, the ghosts of soldiers believed to appear on the beach at the beginning of summer.

It is located 13 km east of Sfakia and 80 km south of Chania Town, on the eastern side of Frangokastello Village’s harbor. The beach is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds and can be very crowded during the summer months. Its crystal-clear, shallow waters are ideal for children, although you must be careful of the waves that may occur from winds. The coast is covered in soft, golden sand. Across the shore, you will find some rooms to stay in, cafes, traditional taverns, and a few small shops.

The Frangokastello Castle

Frangokastello Castle is a medieval castle renowned all around Greece, as it is connected to the Drosoulites phenomenon. It was built during the 14th century by the Venetians, who occupied the region during that time. In 1828, a battle between the Greeks and the Ottomans took place in Frangokastello. During the combat, the Greeks used the castle as a fortress, which was later destroyed but rebuilt by the Ottomans.

During the 1828 battle, the Greeks were defeated. It is said that the ghosts of the Greek soldiers who died during the conflict walk around on the beach early in the morning between late May and early June. However, there’s a logical explanation for this phenomenon: the appearance of the human-like shadows is possibly an optical illusion that happens as a result of the evaporation of the morning mist.