WESTERN CRETE
Western Crete just waits to be explored, especially the hotspot area of Apokoronas with its wide open spaces of natural beauty and lush green countryside with breathtaking views of the sparkling blue aegean sea and the valleys of olive and citrus fruit trees and mountains back dropped by the spectacular Lefka Ori (The White Mountains) arguably one of the prettiest regions in Crete.
Kalives, Almirida, Plaka, Kokkino Chorio, Drapanos, Paleoni, Kefalas, Vamos, Douliana Gavalahori & Chambatha – These are just some of the beautiful villages located in Western Crete
Chania
Smells and colours, shades and textures of the Cretan nature, all are here, in front of your eyes. The Cosmopolitan town of Chania the capital of Western Crete has all the services you would expect, bars, clubs, live music, fine dining, traditional harbour-side restaurants, bustling covered market, shops of any kind, all the services of a modern city. The deep blue waters, the wild mountains, in general all this astonishing nature, make you want to experience the full gamut of its sights, sounds and fragrant aromas one needs to draw closer to nature. Sailing, fishing, jet skiing, diving, windsurfing, water skiing, snorkelling are some of the outdoor sea activities. Also walking and hiking, horse riding and climbing are some of the most popular activities in Chania. Here are also a lot of tennis courts a football stadium and fantastic spa resorts. Chania has plenty of cultural interests, festivals, theatres, open-air cinema, museums, many ancient towns and local monasteries. Chania is an ideal centre from which to explore Western Crete and to walk the famous Samaria Gorge.
CENTRAL CRETE
A large proportion of visitors to Crete arrive in Heraklion, the capital of Central Crete. This large town is mainly an important economic focal point in Crete. The hilly hinterland is well known for its abundance of vineyards.
The region is very important archaeologically, not only because of the Minoan palace of Knossos. The whole region is dominated by the Ida mountains and Dikti mountains in the eastern part. In the South the plain of Messara, one of the most fertile areas of Crete, has become an important centre of agricultural production.
Central Crete and essentially the North coast is by far the main tourism centre of Crete with more than half of all the touristic accommodation of the whole island located there.
EAST CRETE
The East is by far the driest part of the island although olive trees are planted there as well. It possesses a mountain range, Thripti, which only rises to 1500m but is very wild.
The area round the town of Agios Nikolaos and the Mirambello bay has become a focal point for tourism but the rest of the region is still a little backwards compared to many other areas of Crete.
Villages of Apokoronas Area
Kalives an all year round working Greek village that has taken tourism in its stride with its narrow street with local shops, mini markets, tavernas and cafes make this a bustling little village with a couple of excellent sandy beaches.
Almirida once the fishing port of Plaka the picturesque seaside village located just 30 minutes from Chania, offers a beautiful blue flag beach with two gently shelving sandy beaches fringed by traditional waterside tavernas that look over the torquoise blue sea. The approach from the neighboring coastal village of Kalives is through lush, green countryside with spectacular views of the white mountains.
Kalives an all year round working Greek village that has taken tourism in its stride with its narrow street with local shops, mini markets, tavernas and cafes make this a bustling little village with a couple of excellent sandy beaches.
Almirida once the fishing port of Plaka the picturesque seaside village located just 30 minutes from Chania, offers a beautiful blue flag beach with two gently shelving sandy beaches fringed by traditional waterside tavernas that look over the torquoise blue sea. The approach from the neighboring coastal village of Kalives is through lush, green countryside with spectacular views of the white mountains.
Plaka is an enchanting and unspoilt village and Almirida beach is just a stone-s throw down the hill. The village is renowned for its excellent home cooked food from the tavernas that are all set around the village square.
Kambia is tiny hamlet between the villages of Plaka and Kokkino Chorio
Kokkino Chorio with its breathtaking sea views and stunning sunsets over Souda Bay and its claim to fame as the backdrop for the scenes of Zorba the Greek that was filmed in the late 1960s where nearly all the village participated. You will also find the unique glass factory, which produces from recycled glass beautiful hand-blown products from Light Shades to Raki drinking sets.
Drapanos a sleepy little village with magnificent views of the White mountains and the surrounding areas facilities consist of a Traditonal Church, a couple of Tavernas and a mini-market. Nearby villages of Kefalas, Plaka and Almirida are all with in 10 minutes
Paleoni – A small village with beautiful weeping willow trees and traditional houses. The road from Paleloni leads to Embrosgialo, which is a relatively easily accessible by following the steep coastline, which boasts at the foot of the road a beautiful clear rocky bay and a traditional fish taverna.
Kefalas High (360 m) above the sea with panoramic views of the Bay of Georgioupolis to Rethimno and the White Mountains. This traditional village with narrow streets, white-washed houses and old fashioned tavernas and kafenions with the local friendly and hospitable people make this village something special.
Vamos, is the capital of the Apokoronas region where one can also find a post office, bank and a 24 hour Medical Centre and not forgetting the tavernas and kafenions.
Douliana is a very traditional and charming village perched at the top of a hill overlooking Souda Bay. Surrounded by old Cretan farm houses, olive groves and the ancient Byzantine donkey paths provide that special atmosphere.
Gavalohori in the centre of the scenic Apokoronou Penisula, 3.5 km inland from Almirida is a vibrant, traditional village – Many of the houses have been renovated in traditional fashion and the village has a pleasant air of both rural charm and prosperity, it has a couple of busy kafenions and small shops but the vans come round to sell vast range of products. It is renowned for its local handicrafts such as lace and silk products and not forgetting the traditional tavernas selling home cooked food.
Kambia is tiny hamlet between the villages of Plaka and Kokkino Chorio
Kokkino Chorio with its breathtaking sea views and stunning sunsets over Souda Bay and its claim to fame as the backdrop for the scenes of Zorba the Greek that was filmed in the late 1960s where nearly all the village participated. You will also find the unique glass factory, which produces from recycled glass beautiful hand-blown products from Light Shades to Raki drinking sets.
Drapanos a sleepy little village with magnificent views of the White mountains and the surrounding areas facilities consist of a Traditonal Church, a couple of Tavernas and a mini-market. Nearby villages of Kefalas, Plaka and Almirida are all with in 10 minutes
Paleoni – A small village with beautiful weeping willow trees and traditional houses. The road from Paleloni leads to Embrosgialo, which is a relatively easily accessible by following the steep coastline, which boasts at the foot of the road a beautiful clear rocky bay and a traditional fish taverna.
Kefalas High (360 m) above the sea with panoramic views of the Bay of Georgioupolis to Rethimno and the White Mountains. This traditional village with narrow streets, white-washed houses and old fashioned tavernas and kafenions with the local friendly and hospitable people make this village something special.
Vamos, is the capital of the Apokoronas region where one can also find a post office, bank and a 24 hour Medical Centre and not forgetting the tavernas and kafenions.
Douliana is a very traditional and charming village perched at the top of a hill overlooking Souda Bay. Surrounded by old Cretan farm houses, olive groves and the ancient Byzantine donkey paths provide that special atmosphere.
Gavalohori in the centre of the scenic Apokoronou Penisula, 3.5 km inland from Almirida is a vibrant, traditional village – Many of the houses have been renovated in traditional fashion and the village has a pleasant air of both rural charm and prosperity, it has a couple of busy kafenions and small shops but the vans come round to sell vast range of products. It is renowned for its local handicrafts such as lace and silk products and not forgetting the traditional tavernas selling home cooked food.
Chambatha is about 30 minutes from Chania, the capital of the west of Crete. The village have a surprising number of unspoilt areas, yet undiscovered by mass tourism. Chambatha is 10 minutes from Vrisses, where huge Plane trees line the road where you will find mini-markets, a bank and a bakery (do try the cheese pies).
