Koudouma beach

Directly in front of Koudoumas Monastery stretches the beach of the same name, one of the quietest and most authentic shores of the Asterousia Mountains. The beach is covered with fine grey pebbles and crystal-clear, blue waters, ideal for swimming in the refreshing Libyan Sea. On its eastern side, caves and rocky hollows are formed, where one can find natural shade, especially during the midday hours.

Due to its immediate proximity to the monastery, nudism is not permitted, and the atmosphere is marked by a sense of inner calm and serenity. Access to the beach is via a passable dirt road of about 20 km starting from the village of Sternes, with a spectacular descent from an altitude of around 1,000 meters down to the sea. The view over the gorge and the bay of Koudoumas is impressive and often awe-inspiring. There are no facilities in the area, so visitors should come well prepared. On the monastery’s feast days, August 15 and July 10, the beach fills with worshippers who take part in the great religious celebration, experiencing an authentic event that combines spiritual tradition with the powerful atmosphere of the landscape. From the beach, an easy path heads west, following the wild coastline and leading in about 20 minutes to Avvakospilio. This is an impressive cave with rich natural decoration of stalactites, stalagmites, and columns.

In antiquity, it appears to have been associated with the worship of a fertility deity, while in later years it was inhabited by monks and hermits, becoming part of the area’s long-standing ascetic tradition. Those who wish can continue further west along the same path to the Cave of Agios Antonios, on a route that takes approximately 60–90 minutes.

*The photograph is sourced from the Thalori Retreat website.