West of the Gulf of Messara, close to Aghia Galini, lies the valley of Aghios Georgios.
In it is the sacred Monastery of the same name: you can admire the wall-paintings within, of an old style and so rarely surviving on the island. You will observe the considerable slope of the terrain, due to the settling of the soil: because of this, the building is nicknamed the Sloping Church.
Some 500 m off, at the mouth of the valley as it meets the Libyan sea, are two small bays – Kolymbistiri and Lychnistis. The mild climate allows swimming all the year round.
Kolymbistiri Beach
This is the westernmost of the two, and the more isolated. It has pebbles, clear water and a charming sea-bed, suited to underwater exploration. Its name means the Swimming Place!
Lychnistis Beach
The eastern and less secluded, it too has pebbles and clear water. But here you will find tavernas and rent-rooms, and may hire umbrellas and sunbeds.
East of the beaches of Aghios Georgios, some 3 km distant, is the popular tourist resort of Aghia Galini.
