Resort Pigianos Kampos

The small, quiet village of Pigianos Kambos is located about 8 km east of the main regional town of Rethymno and forms part of its long suburb known as "East Rethymnon". The name of the village in Greek means "the plain of Pigi (Pigianos)", which beautifully describes the area dotted with small and fertile fields of the locals.

Pigianos Kampos is less touristic than the neighbouring resort of Adelianos Kampos, but there are several larger hotels or individual apartments and a variety of dining, entertainment and shopping options.

The North Cretan highway connecting Rethymno and Heraklion passes through the resort, so it's no problem to rent a car and take a trip to nearby and further afield. There are also regular bus services from Pigianos Kampos to Rethymno and the neighbouring resorts of Adelianos Kampos, Skaleta, Stavromenos etc.

Pigianos Kampos Beach ("Pigi Beach") and the sea turtle kareta

The calm, long sandy beach of Pigianos Kambos (known locally as "Pigi Beach") lies roughly in the middle of the local open bay of Rethymno, and like the surrounding beaches, it is exposed to stronger winds and the sea level tends to be wavy in this area. However, the coastline drops gently into the water and the sea shines with its clarity.

Between Pigianos Kampos and the neighbouring Sfakaki beach, the coastline is made up of several rocky coves that are popular with snorkelling enthusiasts.

Pigianos Kampos is not as noisy as other beaches in the region, it is semi-organised and there is a beach bar right on the beach. Several small trees help to add to the pleasant atmosphere of the place, providing some welcome shade for beachgoers. Loungers and umbrella spots are adjacent to the larger hotels and if you fancy a bite to eat, there are several tasty tavernas and smaller restaurants in close proximity to the beach.

A local attraction are the giant sea turtles, which come out of the sea at night and lay their eggs in the sand on the beach between May and September. The eggs then hatch into small turtles and go back to the sea. The turtles are an endangered and protected species, so conservationists work on the local beaches to mark the turtle nests, thereby letting tourists know to be careful and cautious around them.

(The main nesting ground for these endangered turtles is the Greek island of Zakynthos - so you can learn more about them here - Turtle Island.)

Who is the centre suitable for?

The tourist-friendly resort of Pigianos Kampos is still one of the quieter and quieter places, so don't expect any boisterous nightlife here. On the other hand, the resort has good tourist facilities and a beautiful sandy beach, which make it an ideal destination for a family or romantic holiday.

Thanks to the good transport links, it is easy to get to one of the larger resorts and enjoy the local historical sights, entertainment or major shopping.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Close resorts: Adelianos Kampos, Missiria, Sfakaki, Skaleta

Most favourite resorts of Crete: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion (Iraklion), Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kalamaki (Matala), Malia, Platanias (Chania), Rethymno, Stalis

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Crete.