The 5 Breathtaking Villages of Chania that will steal your heart
It is not only the monumental beaches of the area that will steal your heart.
Vamos Village
When in 1994 a group of young people, originally from Vamos, decided to turn their village, in the region of Apokoronas, into an agro-tourism destination, in the rest of Greece we did not know what sustainable tourism would mean. In the village, which was the capital of the province of Sfakion, public services were housed and there were fine mansions. The young people started by restoring their ancestral homes, turning them into guesthouses, and building a tavern, the Sterna of Blumosifis.
But none of them had taken the whole project seriously and maybe that’s why it was so successful in the end. The places were run by themselves: the “better” a degree someone had, the lower position they assumed, with the doctors and civil engineers exclusively engaged in peeling potatoes! The young people grew up, the composition changed and everyone now has their own business, while more and more new members are added. But the logic is the same and so you will find a beautiful village for walks, guest houses for all the vagrants, the tavern with the excellent lamb with staghorn in the wood oven, an office for agro-tourism activities, etc.
A Village Taverna Gavalochori Village Photo Credit: Vassil Tzvetanov
Gavalochori Village
Hundreds of European visitors arrived in the Apokoronas area from time to time and decided to stay here forever. The tame landscape with olive groves and beautiful villages, the easy access to the sea, and the cities of Chania and Rethymno were reasons enough. Only in Gavalochori, out of 200 residents, 40 are foreigners. In the narrow streets of the settlement, a protected area in 1979, you will see old colored houses and in the large square in the afternoons, you will enjoy the locals lining up in the cafes as if some show is about to start.
Three things are worth paying particular attention to the well-built Historical-Folklore Museum, the women of the village, even the girls, who specialize in “kopaneli” embroidery (a technique with sticks that form a kind of handloom), and the 24 Venetian Gavalian wells, with their stone domes, in a green area just outside the village.
Rokka Village Photo Credit: Popaganda
Rokka Village
In 2013, a group of friends decided to revive their almost deserted village in the mountains of Kissamos by organizing a classical music concert. It took place under the light of the August full moon next to the archaeological site of Rokka with the spectators sitting on the hillside as if in an ancient amphitheater. The audience, enchanted by the setting, and thus the Rokkas Festivals was born. For two weeks every year the festivals attract people from different parts of Crete as well as foreigners. Most of the music, dance, and theater performances that make up the program are staged in squares, streets, and courtyards in Rokka and the neighboring village, Kera. Creating intimacy for the spectators that is a hallmark of this unique celebration.
Berekynthos Village Photo Credit: DayNight
Berekynthos Village
Just outside the city of Chania, at the junction of Souda, is Berekynthos, the „artistic village“ where dozens of creators live, work, and exhibit and which aims to highlight the arts that have always been intertwined with its life and culture of Cretan people. According to mythology, Berekynthos was the mountain where the Idaean Dactyls, sons of Zeus, lived. There he taught people the ancient arts of metallurgy, ceramics, glassmaking, and weaving. In modern Berekynthos, you will find workshops for silversmithing, sculpture, and musical instruments, painting studios, and making ancient board games!
Paleochora Village
The sun, the relaxation, the magical Libyan sea, the feeling of freedom. These made people from all over the world move permanently to Paleochora. The town with 1,500 inhabitants is built on a peninsula. With two secular beaches within the settlement and many more around. Gialiskari, a sandy peninsula with two beaches with coarse sand, and Krios with pebbles steal the impressions. In the city, visit the Venetian castle Fortezza. Taverns, bars, and shops take care of the cosmopolitan aura of Paleochora. The best thing to do is to spend your night at bar Agios. Cafe since 1900, converted into a bar by the Zouridakis brothers. Jams, purees, and essences from herbs and fruits are made mixed with aged tsikoudia, Greek wines, and cognacs.
Chania Blog Articles by Elissos
8 Ways to Experience Chania
The walks, the sights, the hills, the coastal promenades, the green corners, the best Cretan taverns, through 8 necessary stops in Chania.
Flowering bougainvillea, old wooden doors, and stone mansions await you in the alleys of the old town. The most recognizable lighthouse greets you from the edge of the Venetian port. Aromas from tradition pour from the bazaar of the Municipal Market. The smell of freshly baked seafood accompanies your every step on the beach.
Chania hides unique Cretan surprises in every step you take on the streets of the city. We selected the nine most basic of these steps, to try, explore, to experience the top experiences offered by the most hospitable port of Crete.
vegan summer salad at Serenissima RestaurantPhoto Credit: Serenissima Restaurant
9 Best Restaurants in Chania for the most Demanding Taste Buds
We love Crete and Chania for many reasons and one of them is the local products and food.
In this article, we select the 9 best restaurants in Chania. Therefore, it’s time to find out where to eat the most delicious food. Lovers of quality cuisine and fresh food, prepare your cutlery. Today we will take you on a gastronomic journey. Where? To the 9 best restaurants in Chania for the most demanding taste buds.
Sailing to the 4+1 Breathtaking Islands near Chania
Chania hides so many treasures that you can hardly explore with one visit. This is, after all, the reason why everyone returns to Crete. Apart from the Old Town of Chania, you can find Agia Marina. Packed with beach bars and Platanias with nightclubs. If you take a one-day cruise to some of the secret surrounding islands you will find true beauty.
We have selected 4 + 1 islands in West Crete that will take your breath away. They will charm you as you slowly reach them from the comfort of your private yacht.
Chania the Magical Venetian Town of Crete
Chania is a mesmerizing town that will enchant you as soon as you set eyes on her. Get an overview of why Chania is one of Crete’s and Greece’s most visited districts!
Whatever time of year you choose to visit Chania, the town will enchant you. The choices are endless! Arm yourself with strength, because no matter how many days you choose to spend in Chania, it is certain that they will simply not be enough as this area is nature’s blessing. Believe us, every corner of Chania deserves attention and admiration!