Guidebook for Gavalochori
Parks & Nature
The Samariá Gorge is a National Park since 1962 – a major attraction of the island – and a World's Biosphere Reserve. A must for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists sail to the nearby village of Sougia, Loutro or Hora Sfakion, where they could spend a night there, or they could catch a coach back to Chania. The walk takes five to seven hours. There are daily buses starting from Chania to the head of the gorge. The buses depart Chania Central Bus Station from early in the morning. There is plenty of drinking water all along the gorge. Hiking boots are recommended, also sneakers can be worn
137 lokale inwoners raden aan
Samaria Gorge National Park
The Samariá Gorge is a National Park since 1962 – a major attraction of the island – and a World's Biosphere Reserve. A must for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists sail to the nearby village of Sougia, Loutro or Hora Sfakion, where they could spend a night there, or they could catch a coach back to Chania. The walk takes five to seven hours. There are daily buses starting from Chania to the head of the gorge. The buses depart Chania Central Bus Station from early in the morning. There is plenty of drinking water all along the gorge. Hiking boots are recommended, also sneakers can be worn
A cross between a scenic hike and an interesting nature trail, the Botanical Gardens of Crete offers visitors a fantastic day out away from the beach. The 1 to 2 hour trek takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery, alive with butterflies and a variety of wild birds. The many and varied plants, herbs and trees thrive in two hundred square kilometres of beautifully planted terraces on the hillside.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you'll see fruit trees in full blossom, or alternatively heavy with fruits. The gorgeous aromatic herbs also take on a new life when in full flower.
219 lokale inwoners raden aan
Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
Eparchiaki Odos Chanion-OmalouA cross between a scenic hike and an interesting nature trail, the Botanical Gardens of Crete offers visitors a fantastic day out away from the beach. The 1 to 2 hour trek takes you through some of the most spectacular scenery, alive with butterflies and a variety of wild birds. The many and varied plants, herbs and trees thrive in two hundred square kilometres of beautifully planted terraces on the hillside.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you'll see fruit trees in full blossom, or alternatively heavy with fruits. The gorgeous aromatic herbs also take on a new life when in full flower.
Balos beach - lagoon is located on the northwestern corner of Crete, 53 Km from the city of Chania and 15 Km from the town of Kissamos.
Balos is an exotic beach-lagoon formed between the peninsula of Gramvousa 1 and cape Tigani 2 , while further to the north lie two islands, Imeri Gramvousa 3 and Agria Gramvousa 4 .
Balos beach & lagoon as well as the island of Imeri Gramvousa can be reached by cruise ship that departs from the port of Kissamos. Also you have the ability to come here by yourself, driving up to a point and then continuing on foot.
515 lokale inwoners raden aan
Balos Beach
Balos beach - lagoon is located on the northwestern corner of Crete, 53 Km from the city of Chania and 15 Km from the town of Kissamos.
Balos is an exotic beach-lagoon formed between the peninsula of Gramvousa 1 and cape Tigani 2 , while further to the north lie two islands, Imeri Gramvousa 3 and Agria Gramvousa 4 .
Balos beach & lagoon as well as the island of Imeri Gramvousa can be reached by cruise ship that departs from the port of Kissamos. Also you have the ability to come here by yourself, driving up to a point and then continuing on foot.
Elafonissi is something like an island and a peninsula, because to reach the island you have to walk through the sea. It is located in the southwest end of the prefecture of Chania, Crete, about 70km from the city of Chania. Elafonisi is a place of an exceptional natural beauty, and it has been included in the Natura 2000 Protection Program. Someone could say that nature made its wonder in Elafonisi. That's why Elafonissi beach is one of the top things to do / excursion from all over Crete. What characterizes the area are the little sand islets formed, the shallow waters of the sea, which at a point looks like a lagoon, and certainly the fine white sand, pinkish at several spots.
442 lokale inwoners raden aan
Elafonisi
Elafonissi is something like an island and a peninsula, because to reach the island you have to walk through the sea. It is located in the southwest end of the prefecture of Chania, Crete, about 70km from the city of Chania. Elafonisi is a place of an exceptional natural beauty, and it has been included in the Natura 2000 Protection Program. Someone could say that nature made its wonder in Elafonisi. That's why Elafonissi beach is one of the top things to do / excursion from all over Crete. What characterizes the area are the little sand islets formed, the shallow waters of the sea, which at a point looks like a lagoon, and certainly the fine white sand, pinkish at several spots.
Stavros is a seaside resort located on the north coast of the peninsula of Akrotiri. It is 15 km away from the city of Chania. This place is mostly popular for the sheltered beach situated in a small cove on the northeast corner of the village. Unlike most of the beaches of northern Crete, which are affected by the north winds, this beach is sheltered, has shallow waters, is safe, truly ideal for kids. If you are visiting the prefecture of Chania with your children, then this is one of the beaches you should not miss, especially on windy days. On the beach, there is a canteen as well as picturesque taverns by the sea.
125 lokale inwoners raden aan
Stavros Beach
Stavros is a seaside resort located on the north coast of the peninsula of Akrotiri. It is 15 km away from the city of Chania. This place is mostly popular for the sheltered beach situated in a small cove on the northeast corner of the village. Unlike most of the beaches of northern Crete, which are affected by the north winds, this beach is sheltered, has shallow waters, is safe, truly ideal for kids. If you are visiting the prefecture of Chania with your children, then this is one of the beaches you should not miss, especially on windy days. On the beach, there is a canteen as well as picturesque taverns by the sea.
Food Scene
Koukouvagia cafe (“The Owl”) offers panoramic views of the old town and its Venetian harbor, the bay of Hania and the majestic White Mountains. It is also worth visiting the neighbouring Prophet Elias church and the Venizelos statesmen family graves.
You'll find a variety of snacks, salads and desserts. It's open throughout the day, for sunny breakfasts, breathtaking sunsets and drinks overlooking the moonlit sea.
226 lokale inwoners raden aan
Koukouvaya
Koukouvagia cafe (“The Owl”) offers panoramic views of the old town and its Venetian harbor, the bay of Hania and the majestic White Mountains. It is also worth visiting the neighbouring Prophet Elias church and the Venizelos statesmen family graves.
You'll find a variety of snacks, salads and desserts. It's open throughout the day, for sunny breakfasts, breathtaking sunsets and drinks overlooking the moonlit sea.
A brand new Greek restaurant offering a variety of grill, traditional dishes and Cretan tapas in a cosy, Mediterranean atmosphere. Located in Agia Marina, a sea side village nearby Chania, offers a stop-over opportunity on your daily excursion to the western side of the island, like Balos, Falassarna or Elafonisi. As Dekem guests, you're entitled to a 15% discount!
Spiti Restaurant
A brand new Greek restaurant offering a variety of grill, traditional dishes and Cretan tapas in a cosy, Mediterranean atmosphere. Located in Agia Marina, a sea side village nearby Chania, offers a stop-over opportunity on your daily excursion to the western side of the island, like Balos, Falassarna or Elafonisi. As Dekem guests, you're entitled to a 15% discount!
Shopping
The closest supermarket. There are of course mini markets and small grocery stores closer to the house for the essentials (one of them at the Gavalohori square within just 2 minutes walking distance), but this one is more likely to have products you can't find in the villages nearby.
12 lokale inwoners raden aan
ΣΥΝ.ΚΑ
56 Palea EO Chanion RethimnouThe closest supermarket. There are of course mini markets and small grocery stores closer to the house for the essentials (one of them at the Gavalohori square within just 2 minutes walking distance), but this one is more likely to have products you can't find in the villages nearby.
Arts & Culture
Gramvousa island is a tourist's attraction due to the existence of a Venetian fortress built (in the shape of an isosceles triangle) on the highest part of the island.
Granvousa's fortress has its own long history. It began to be built around 1584 by the Venetians, in the context of a general fortress construction program in Crete, to face the looming expansion of the Turks in the area of Crete and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Over the years, it was conquered by the Turks, liberated, occupied by the British and the French, and dominated again by the Turks.
On a daily basis during summer, mini-cruises to Gramvousa and Balos beach are conducted from the Kavonissi port of Kissamos.
39 lokale inwoners raden aan
Imeri Gramvousa
Gramvousa island is a tourist's attraction due to the existence of a Venetian fortress built (in the shape of an isosceles triangle) on the highest part of the island.
Granvousa's fortress has its own long history. It began to be built around 1584 by the Venetians, in the context of a general fortress construction program in Crete, to face the looming expansion of the Turks in the area of Crete and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Over the years, it was conquered by the Turks, liberated, occupied by the British and the French, and dominated again by the Turks.
On a daily basis during summer, mini-cruises to Gramvousa and Balos beach are conducted from the Kavonissi port of Kissamos.
Sightseeing
Loutro is a small picturesque seaside resort village located on the south coast of the prefecture of Chania, in the region of Sfakia, Crete. It's a resort that operates mainly in the summer season and maybe on weekends or on holidays throughout the year. Here there are no roads or car traffic, and apart from the ferry that comes and leaves, you will see small boats used either for pleasure or transportation, because the village is only accessible by sea (or walking). Expect to find only the most necessary for your holidays. There are several restaurants, a couple of cafes that turn into bars at night, mini markets, as well as several small hotels painted in the colors of white and blue.
18 lokale inwoners raden aan
Loutro.gr
Loutro is a small picturesque seaside resort village located on the south coast of the prefecture of Chania, in the region of Sfakia, Crete. It's a resort that operates mainly in the summer season and maybe on weekends or on holidays throughout the year. Here there are no roads or car traffic, and apart from the ferry that comes and leaves, you will see small boats used either for pleasure or transportation, because the village is only accessible by sea (or walking). Expect to find only the most necessary for your holidays. There are several restaurants, a couple of cafes that turn into bars at night, mini markets, as well as several small hotels painted in the colors of white and blue.
Think about the old Venetian harbour of Chania as the gemstone on the most priceless jewel of western Crete, called old town of Chania. It will amaze you whenever you visit it. The quay is the busiest part of the old town of Chania, filled with cafes, restaurants, bars, bakeries and other shops.
However, the old Venetian harbour of Chania would have been just like another beautiful seaside tourist place, if there haven't been preserved its monuments since the Venetian rule period (1252-1645), the Ottoman rule (1645-1898 ), and the years of the Egyptian domination (1831-1841) that occurred during the Turkish period.
399 lokale inwoners raden aan
Old Venetian Harbor
8 Agiou MarkouThink about the old Venetian harbour of Chania as the gemstone on the most priceless jewel of western Crete, called old town of Chania. It will amaze you whenever you visit it. The quay is the busiest part of the old town of Chania, filled with cafes, restaurants, bars, bakeries and other shops.
However, the old Venetian harbour of Chania would have been just like another beautiful seaside tourist place, if there haven't been preserved its monuments since the Venetian rule period (1252-1645), the Ottoman rule (1645-1898 ), and the years of the Egyptian domination (1831-1841) that occurred during the Turkish period.
Essentials
Regional Clinic
Tel: (0030) 28253-40401, (0030) 28253-40402
www.hc-crete.gr/ky-vamos
kyvamou@hc-crete.gr
Health Center
Regional Clinic
Tel: (0030) 28253-40401, (0030) 28253-40402
www.hc-crete.gr/ky-vamos
kyvamou@hc-crete.gr