Locations on Crete

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Akrotiri (the “Cape”) is the name for the peninsula that lies to the north east of the city of Chania. Located here are the tombs of Eleftherios and Sofoklis Venizelos, instrumental in the union of Crete with Greece, the airport of Chania and the port of Souda. Akrotiri is a place for nature lovers, with interesting walks and hiking paths through unspoilt gorges with amazing diversity and natural beauty. There are also water sports, children’s playgrounds, and a horse riding centre. Its dry climate, combined with the sea breeze, forms an ideal environment, not only for people, but also for the farm produce, which is renowned for its high quality and taste. With pictu ...
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Alikambos is found in the province of Apokoronas. Today the village belongs to the municipality of Kryonerida of the prefecture of Chania.The village Alikambos is located at the foot of the White Mountains(Lefka Ori altitude of 310m.), on the road leading to Sfakia on the south coast. It is 40 kilometers from Chania and 28 kilometers from the city of Rethymno. The coastal village of Giorgoupoli and its long sandy beaches are just 8 kilometers away and Vrysses famous for it's yoghurt and honey is a mere 3 kms.. According to the last inventory, the residents are numbered at apporx. three hundred. Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 ...
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Almirida also know as Almyrida or Almerida by the foreign community is located 27 km, a 20 minute drive, from Chania Airport and 187 km, 2 hour drive, from Heraklion Airport. A coastal seaside resort Almirida has an abundance of restaurants, bars and tavernas along the edge of its golden, sandy beach. Here, the multi national visitor can sample the local cuisine while enjoying the beautiful views across Souda Bay followed by a stroll along the seafront to the pretty fishing harbour. This Blue Flag beach is ideal for children, as well as offering water sports such as snorkelling and windsurfing. Archeologists have recently discovered an ancient mosaic and tombs dating back to an early Chr ...
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Aspro is an ancient village which had a turkish name until just 30 years ago and there are many homes and stone details in Aspro which identify its Turkish past. It is a small peaceful village with countryside of outstanding natural beauty. Its narrow winding roads and beautiful restorations make it a unique village in this area. Aspro is situated high on a hillside between Almirida and the historic village of Gavalohori and is a 5 minute drive to Almirida’s golden sandy beach.
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Chania or Hania as it is known locally, is the capital of Western Crete and is popular with both Greek and foreign visitors alike. It offers something for all visitors, with its harbour, museums, excellent indoor market and the Old Quarter of narrow cobbled streets packed with interesting shops, bars and restaurants. This historic town is considered the most beautiful in Crete and is located 14 kilometers from the international airport and is home to a population of 55,000. At the heart of Hania sits the harbour built by the Venetians at the time of their occupation. The only remaining complete Venetian harbour in Europe, ruled over by the impressive, recently restored Lighthouse. Visi ...
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The inland village of Drapanos surrounded by acres of olive groves is high above, but only a 10 minute drive, from Almerida. With spectacular panoramic views of the White Mountains and across to the entrance of Souda Bay, Drapanos is ideal for walking and communing with nature. A traditional agricultural village it also has a mini market and two local tavernas at its centre.
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Falassarna is the western most village in Crete, located approximately 20km from Kissamos and nestled in the neck of the Gramvoussa peninsula. The name Falassarna is pre-Hellenic in origins and is derived from the nymph "Falasarni". The city was at its peak during the Hellenistic period and at the time the city had its own coin. Falassarna was the port of ancient Polyrinia. Its port was surrounded by walls and connected to the sea by a canal. Today, as a result of a fall in the sea level, the port and the canal is cultivated land and the ancient remains are located 300-400 metres from the sea. The secure position of the port, the impregnable fort and the rich valley of the area ...
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Gavalohori is a pretty, rural village located in the hills of the Apokoronas peninsular, named after the Byzantine family Gavalodon, who lived there around 1200AD. The village has mini-markets, sweet café, tavernas and several kafeneon. The world famous women’s association continues the old art of lace making (kopaneli) and in the centre of the village there is a shop exhibiting local arts and crafts, as well as the unique folklore museum filled with a wealth of displays of local crafts and folk life. Many old buildings are being lovingly restored. Surrounded by olive groves, the area around the village offers plenty of opportunities for walks around Venetian wells, a Roman cem ...
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Gerani a typical Greek village situated between Maleme and Platanias. This village extends from the beach up into the local hills.
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The small community of Kalamitsi Alexandrou is situated 8 km away from Vamos. It is an old and well-preserved village with narrow streets, the large, modern, cross-shaped and domed church of Agia Triada and impressively constructed underground reservoir "Softas" dating from the Turkish occupation.
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Kalives or Kalyves is the largest of the coastal villages directly to the East of Hania offering a choice of golden sandy beaches, water sports and a variety of bars, tavernas and shops. An all year round working village only a 15 minute drivefrom Hania, Kalives boast a wide range of amenities. Walking along the winding streets you will find a post office, pharmacy, bank, bakeries, butcher’s and an assortment of shops offering a variety of jewellery, gifts, clothes and natural products. Due to its easy access to the ‘motorway’ Kalives finds itself in the enviable position of being easily reached from all parts of Crete.
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The picturesque village of Kefalas is situated approximately 4 km to the east of Vamos. During the Venetian occupation higher and lower Kefalas were classed as two separate villages, however, today they have become one. It is a large village built facing the sea and in parts with spectacular views all the way to Rethymnon. The architecture is dominated by the influence of the early and late years of the Turkish occupation. This influence is well preserved despite the existence of other architectural styles. The Church of Timios Stavros built in the 16th century is the oldest building in the village while the more recent churches of Panagia, Agios Antonios, and Michael the archangel, are the ...
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Kissamos (or Kastelli) is a small town located in the beautiful gulf of Kissamos. Famed for its wine and olive oil, it has a true Cretan character. There are good restaurants frequented by the locals and a handful of bars, and the long beach of sand and pebble stretches around the bay. There is a public bus service to Chania, and from the harbour, a regular ferryboat service to Gythion in the Peloponnese and to the island of Kythira. From Kiassmos you can visit the west coast beaches, among them Falassarna which also boasts an archaeological site, the Gramvoussa isles (pirate isles), the beautiful Gorge of Topolia and the lagoon at Balos. Kissamos is surrounded by a beautiful landscape and ...
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Kokkino Chorio is a small, traditional Greek village situated on the rugged coast with magnificent across Souda Bay to the Akrotiri Peninsular. To the south the White Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop. The village is famous for its role in the film of “Zorbas the Greek’ based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis the internationally famous Cretan writer. Still the owner of the local ‘kafenion’ in the centre of the village is proud to talk about Antony Quinn and show his photographs. A small glass workshop on the outskirts of Kokkino Chorio recycles glass to produce items from “blown” glass. This process can be observed in the mornings and purchases can b ...
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The up and coming waterfront village of Kolimbari is 25 kms west of Chania. For many years this was a sleepy fishing village, but it is now being transformed. There is a new marina, public gardens and many popular tavernas serving excellent fresh fish and traditional Cretan dishes, as well as one or two sophisticated bars and restaurants. Good local amenities include a post office, bank and large supermarket. The long sand and pebble beach stretches all the way to Chania in the east. The 16th century Monastery of Gonias is a must for visitors seeking out the historical. The Monastery has a fortress form, overlooking the bay in front of it; it was also a centre of resistance during the re ...
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A short detour off the main road between Kefalas and Vamos to thevillage of Litsarda can provide a chance to walk around a traditional village and admire the views across to the White Mountains. The local taverna specializes in pizza and a flock of sheep with the shepherdare often seen walking down the centre of the village in the evening. Visit the archaeologically interesting cave of Dafne or Tripa. It is worth stopping in the village to visit the church with its fine wood-carved reredos and icons made by the local Rethymnian, Vivilakis of Panagia .
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Tucked away in a private cove is the magical seaside village of Loutro. Loutro is situated at the end of Cape Mouri, where once the ancient city of Finix stood. The village was named after the baths (Loutro) found in the area, and from which water was directed to nearby Anopoli. Loutro also served as the port of ancient Anopoli. Later it became the winter time port of the town of Sfakia, due to the fact that the enclosed bay and the small island at its entrance create a natural harbor where ships can be safe even in very bad weather conditions. Loutro is only accessable by sea or footpaths. There are no roads and therefore no cars. Mountains rear straight up from the sea deep wooded gorges ...
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The area along the coast around Maleme is dominated by citrus groves set behind a quiet sand and single beach. The village of Maleme is very popular with English tourists and has a good choice of tavernas and a large supermarket, as well as a small number of tourist shops. Maleme is where the Germans lead the invasion of Crete in 1941 and is home to the German war cemetery set in the hills above the village.
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The beautiful quiet village of Neo Chorio, lies just a 3 minute drive from the National road running the full length of Northern Crete, allowing for easy access to all routes, villages and especially the International airports of Chania – 25 min. and Heraklion – 2 hours. The village itself boasts panoramic views and an unsurpassable serenity due to its mountainside location, ideal all year round for relaxing summer holidays or for the avid walker, the perfect Autumnal getaway. Full local amenities are available with local tavernas and also the quaint neighboring village of Armeni boasts the picturesque 19th century church of St Nicholaos dominating the traditional square. Also ne ...
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On the mountainside a 15minute walk or 3 minute drive above Almerida is the village of Plaka. Plaka is a busy all year round village with 2 mini-markets and several tavernas and bars. The restaurants and bars set their tables out onto the village square and an enjoyable evening can be spent watching local village life and partaking of delicious meals made with local fresh produce. The small local hotel hosts Cretan music evenings as well as other types of musical evenings. Every summer the Cretan music festival the ‘Plakiana’ takes place, in honour of Michael Papadakis, a fine lyra player of recent years.
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Platanias is the largest tourist resort in West Crete. It is built along a sandy beach and caters largely to tourists, both multi national and Greek. Located on the main coastal road, there is a frequent bus service to and from Chania. There are many restaurants and cafes, and plenty of shopping opportunities for when you are not lying on the beach or relaxing by the pool. The town has a lively nightlife, with many bars and clubs catering for all tastes. Some of the best night clubs in Crete are to be found in Platanias. Opposite Platanias is the island of St. Theodori or Thodorou. In 1574, the Venetians built fortresses on the island’s highest and lowest points to protect Platanias f ...
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Polimarchi is a quiet traditional village just off the main south bound road to Paleohora, and only minutes from the National Road which serves the whole of Crete and Tavronitis village and beach to the north.
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Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} The village of Metochi near Sirilli is situated approx. 14km from the city of Chania in Western Crete. Dating back to ...
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Sternes is a large village with all the amenities for day to day living, on the Akrotiri in Chania, Crete with easy access to the town of Chania and also to the International airport. The sheltered sandy beaches of Marathi and Loutraki are close by.
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Tavronitis is a charming coastal village community, west of Maleme on the way to Kolimbari. Tourism here is low key but you will still find plenty of seaside amenities including mini-markets, butchers, a bakery and patisserie. A few tavernas line the quiet beach that stretches towards Kolimbari in the west and Maleme to the east. Ideally situated for exploring the south west of the island, from here you can take the road south to Paleochora, enjoying a spectacular drive over the mountains along the way.
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Vamos is the municipal centre of the Apokoronas area. It is centrally located between Almerida and the national road which provides access to Rethymnon and Chania and also through Vrisses towards the White Mountains. Vamos boasts a Health Center with 24 hour medical care, pharmacy, a bank, hairdresser, post office, mini-markets, butchers, cake shop and bakeries as well as excellent tavernas serving delicious Greek cuisine that are open all year round. Browse around the small shops and experience the sights and sounds of village life as traders sell fish and flowers on the corner while chickens roast on the spit and Greek men drink coffee in the shade. There is an increasing awareness of con ...
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