Excursions-Sightseeing

The alternatives for a traveler who wants to see the landscapes and understand the ways of living in the prefecture of Hania, are literally endless. Here we will try to recommend a few excursions to sights worthwhile in a daily range.

 

 

Daily Excursions

The Villages of the Municipality of Platanias. Every village is on its own a remarkable place to visit. A tour through more than one is a marvelous choice for a daily excursion.
All the villages are linked by the provincial road network, but are better appreciated by trekking.
The landscape that Hania has to offer, combined with the aspect of everyday authentic way of life of its provincial population with their traditional occupations and customs, is an experience that any visitor would cherish. In the pages of "Touring" you will find more information on all these villages.

Lake of Agias
The lake is located in the southeast end of the municipality of Platanias, at its borders with the municipality of Nea Kydonia.

Although it is a man-made lake, it has been transformed into a living, unique biotope with a great variety of flora and fauna. For this reason, the lake and the territory that surrounds it, following the current of the river Keritis towards the sea, are protected by the "NATURA 2000" program of the European Union. The lake itself, as well as the route alongside the riverbank of Keritis, is a wonderful naturalistic experience and most characteristic of the area.

Ancient Aptera

It is located about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Hania and 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Platanias, on the national road Hania-Rethimno. Ancient Aptera is built on an open plateau 200 meters above sea level, with an extraordinary view of the bay of Souda. Its history begins in the Minoan era (3500-1070 B.C.), but the most visible ruins are those of the Geometrical era (1000-685 B.C.), Hellenistic era (323-67 B.C.) and the Roman era.

Fortifications, aqueducts, public baths, burial grounds etc. are only some of the remains that can still be seen today. At the village Megala Horafia or Aptera, adjoining the archeological site, you will be able to find food, refreshments and water.

Elafonisi-Hrisoskalitissa

At 80 km. (49 miles) or about 73 km. (45 miles) from Platanias, we will find Elafonisi. It is one of the most rare and beautiful landscapes in all Europe : an extensive beach of unique beauty that overlooks the Libyan sea and an island that you can even walk to! The water is not higher than an adult's knee! Here, amongst the rare vegetation, we can find a kind of cedar tree and sand lilies that grow nowhere else in Europe. An area of about 2,000 acres of the seaside is protected by "NATURA 2000". All facilities are pretty much underdeveloped (parasols and small canteens), so it would be a good idea to bring along supplies (mostly water) which you can buy from the villages you will meet on your way (Elos and Vathi).

Only 5 km. from Elafonisi, by a small detour, you can visit the historical monastery of Hrisoskalitissa. The monastery is open for the public, and the hospitable monks will be glad to guide you through the grounds. Here you will also find fresh running water.

Lake of Kourna

On the way to Rethimno via the national road, at the 45 th km. (28 th mile), there is a crossroad that leads inland to the village of Kourna (3 km. or 1,8 miles from the national road), next to the natural lake of Kourna. A small but unique lake in all of Crete, and also an important biotope. It is surrounded by impressive mountains and offers serenity as well as good food at the taverns that circle it. Here you can also rent sea bikes.

Aghios Nikolaos, Cave of Samona, Stylos
It is a route through some of the most authentic places in the prefecture of Hania. At 25 km. (15 miles) from Hania towards the Lefka Ori, we will find the village of Samona. Small and picturesque, it is a typical mountain village that lives on stock raising and olive cropping. Here we can find an impressive cave with stalactites and flowstones, that was accidentally discovered by some shepherds. Although not yet fully explored, it can be visited in its most part. In the village you can find taverns and cafeterias, as well as newly built facilities of agricultural tourism.

A little after Samona we will find the small village of Kiriakoselia and a little after that, in a small valley that follows, the church of Saint Nicolas. It is a Byzantine church, the oldest Christian temple in the prefecture of Hania. After recent reconstructive works on the church, an amazing collection of frescos has been discovered.

If you prefer, instead of returning from the same road you got here, to continue through areas of great natural beauty, away from urban and tourist centers, then you can choose to pass from picturesque mountain villages like Ramni, Maheri and then get to Stylos, 18 km (11 miles) from Hania and very near to the national road. Here you will find important archeological sights, ruins of the Minoan era, as well as the reconstructed church of "The Mother of God" of the 12 th century A.D. Even more, in the village you will see, packed by planes, gorgeous springs of crystal clear waters that flow here straight down from the Lefka Ori. In the village you will also find cafeterias, taverns and other shops.

Sfakia-Fragokastelo

About 74 km. (46 miles) from Hania, the village of Hora Sfakion is located. It is the capital of the district of Sfakia. Built on the edge of a steep hill, it overlooks the Libyan See. The area here gives a totally different perspective of Crete. The land is rough, arid and wild. It will not fail to move you in various ways for its uniqueness and authentic character. It is in total harmony with the character of its people, people that have never bowed to any conqueror. To get here, you pass through picturesque villages, plateaus, and by the impressive gorge of Imbros. At Hora you will find shops, banks, a police station, a surgery, accommodations, as well as beautiful coves for swimming... 11 km. (6,8 miles) east of Hora, dominating the surrounding area, is the Venetian castle of Fragokastelo. It was built in 1371 for protection from pirate attacks. At the foot of the castle, some of the beaches that have made the southern part of the prefecture of Hania so famous are located.

Gavdos In the heart of the Mediterranean, at the southmost peak of Crete, Greece and Europe itself, is an island so fabulous you cannot miss to visit. With very few inhabitants, rare landscape, incomparable seas, cedar trees, sun and light. Together with its neighboring uninhabited island Gavdopoula and due to their rare ecosystem, they have both been included in the pan-European nature protect program of NATURA 2000. The island is located at a distance of 24 nautical miles from Hora Sfakion, from where you can go to the island by boat. On Gavdos you will find a small number of accommodations and taverns; there are also areas fit for camping. Here the personal contact with nature and serenity is everything and prevails over any lack of comfort.