Located 700 metres from the beach of Orthi Ammos, Captain Tom is set amidst a large garden with swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace. Its studios and apartments enjoy free WiFi access.
The air-conditioned studios and apartments at Captain Tom are spacious each with a private balcony with sun shades. They include a kitchenette with a fridge, a 42″, flat-screen, satellite TV and an en-suite bathroom with shower.
Guests can relax on the sun beds by the swimming pool or enjoy a coffee, continental breakfast or various snacks on request.
Within only 1 km, you can visit the Venetian castle of Fragocastello which dates back to the 14th century. The town of Rethymno is 52 km away. Free parking is available near the premises.
Frangokástellon
Find below list of things to do near Captain Tom:
You will be picked up at your hotel in the Chania area and then journey by bus to the Imbros Gorge in the eastern part of the White Mountains of Crete. Upon arrival you will enjoy an easy 3-hour hike through the narrow passages and marvel at the stunning rock formations, with an expert guide to teach you about the area.
During your descent you will see famous locations such as the Stenada, Mesofarango, and Xepitira Arch. You exit the gorge at Komitades village, where a bus will be waiting to bring you to Chora Sfakion for some relaxing free time at one of the taverns or cafes overlooking the sea.
Continue by bus to the south coast, and visit a beautiful beach for a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea. You can relax and enjoy a traditional lunch before the bus trip back to the Chania area.
After pickup at your area or hotel, we will begin our journey with a ride to the South of the island, providing insider information and history about the beautifula reas we pass by. We take a break for a coffee stop at Imbros Gorge, where we can view its entrance. Guests have the option to hike the gorge. Then, we will head (with our non-hikers) to the port of Sfakia to take a private boat trip to Loutro, offering breathtaking views of the sea and the island. Upon arrival at Loutro, you will have free time to explore the town or go swimming. After the hikes finish their hike, they join the rest of the guests in Loutro. Free time is 4 hours for non-hikers. Free time for hikers depends on how long it takes to hike the gorge. Finally, we will take a private boat ride back.
Discover Imbros Gorge, which runs parallel to the more famous Samaria Gorge. Although the Imbros Gorge is smaller, many people prefer to cross here because it offers a very different hiking experience than the Samaria Gorge. After your tour, enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea and lunch at a village taverna.
Enjoy hotel pickup and arrive at Imbros around 10 AM. Have breakfast and then hike about 2.5 hours to discover the beauty of this narrow natural passage. Learn about the rock formations and the legend of the 2 brothers that Imbros is named after.
For many years, the Imbros Gorge served as part of the trail that connected Chania to Hora Sfakion. Stroll through a piece of World War II history, as you walk where thousands of British soldiers passed through after the Battle of Crete to get to Egypt.
End your hike in Komitades Village and then depart for Sfakia. Take a swim in the refreshing Libyan Sea and eat lunch with the locals in the taverns before returning to your hotel.
Imbros Gorge is located in the south-eastern part of the White Mountains, it’s length is 7 km and has slopes up to 300m high. It begins in the village of Imbros (800m) and ends in the village of Komitades (300m).
It is part of the E4 European Long Distance Trail, it’s relatively easy and pleasant path. At the beginning of the gorge you may see the old cobbled road that used to be the only way to connect the village of Sfakia with the northern side of the island. It’s famous for its rare flora and beautiful scenery.
Our bus will pick you up from a designated pick up point (outside or near your hotel) and after about 90 minutes drive we will arrive in the village of Imbros. Then follows the walk through the gorge, guided by our licensed trekking guide who will help you if you need it and give you information about the whole area.
You will then visit Frangokastello, where we will have two hours free time to enjoy the sea!
In the late afternoon we will return by bus to the same point you got picked up in the morning
Our driver will lead you south through the Askifou Mountains to the village of Imbros. But first there will be a short stop for refreshment in a charming tavern. The walk will last about two hours since the gorge is 8 km long. The end of the gorge is close to Komitades Village. The bus will be waiting for you there and will take you to a beautiful beach. There will be time to swim and have lunch prior to returning.
This gentle hike is suitable for all those who are steady on their feet. It is also appropriate for families with children as well as fit elderly people.
Start your hike from the quaint village of Imbros and traverse the serene Imbros Gorge, the second largest gorge in Crete, famed for its accessibility and breathtaking scenery. This 9 km trail, taking about 2.5 hours to complete, offers a gentle adventure suitable for families.
As you descend, encounter iconic landmarks like the “Airplane,” “Stenada,” “Mesofarango,” and the striking “Xepitira Arch.” The gorge’s historical significance as an escape route for Allied troops during the 1941 Battle of Crete adds a layer of historical intrigue to your journey.
Following the old stone-paved paths once the primary route from Sfakia to Chania, you reach the gorge’s narrowest point, where the towering walls close to less than 2 meters apart. Your guide leads you to Komitades village, where a bus awaits to transport you to Chora Sfakion.
Conclude your trek in Chora Sfakion, the capital of the rugged Sfakia region. This peaceful seaside village invites relaxation with its sandy beach and clear blue waters. Enjoy the local hospitality in the nearby coffee shops and taverns, and consider a visit to the ruins of the Venetian fortress for stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Find below list of beaches near Captain Tom:
Orthi Ammos is a stunning sandy, shallow beach located next to Frangokastelo, 80km south of Chania, on the edge of a large valley with a warm climate. It has seen modest development compared to the neighboring tourist hotspot of Frangokastelo.
The beach is known for its vast sand hills and dunes, as well as its crystal-clear waters. Although it is affected by southern winds, the impact is mild. The eastern section of the beach has traditionally been a spot for nudists, though their numbers have dwindled in recent years. The beach can be reached by a 10-minute walk from Frangokastelo or by parking above the sand hills. But beware, the sand can get very hot on the descent to the beach!
Compared to adjacent Frangokastelo, Orthi Ammos is a peaceful beach. However, it offers limited accommodations and food amenities, without any sunbeds or water sports services. Its easternmost part, known as Kritama, is marked by high cliffs and turquoise water.
Legend has it that the sand of Orthi Ammos hid the unburied bodies of the 335 Greek heroes who fought against the Turks in the Battle of Frangokastelo on 17 May 1828. These heroes’ spirits are known as the Drosoulites, the famed “ghosts” of Fort Frangokastelo.
The secluded Viglistiri beach is nestled between the peaceful town of Lakki and Orthi Ammos, near Fragokastelo. The primary way to reach this beach is by boat, given the complexity of the area’s dirt road network that makes it difficult to locate. Low vegetation provides a natural border to the beach. In 2014, the Sfakia municipality designated this beach as pet-friendly.
Frangokastello, meaning “Castle of the Franks”, is a renowned beach in Western Crete, steeped in history and folklore due to its age-old Venetian castle and the intriguing legend of the Drosoulites ghosts. This beautiful beach lies in a valley at the foot of the White Mountains, situated 13km east of Hora Sfakion and 80km southeast of Chania.
Fragokastelo’s main beach is an appealing spectacle with its sandy shoreline and shallow turquoise waters, a perfect setting for children and families. Despite being well-equipped with amenities and buzzing during the summer months, the beach is sometimes subject to bothersome northern winds that sweep the sand. However, the area boasts plenty of accommodations, dining options, shops, and an ATM, with the nearest hospital located in Sfakia.
To the west of the main beach, the expansive Vatalos beach and a significant wetland (in winter) offer a different experience, with a mix of sand, pebbles, and rocks perfect for snorkelling. A short 300m walk to the east from the main beach leads you to the breathtaking Orthi Ammos beach, renowned for its sand dunes.
Accessing Fragokastelo from Crete’s northern coast requires a drive along the National Road connecting Chania and Heraklion, exiting at Vrysses and following the road to Chora Sfakion (Sfakia). This route takes you across the Askyfou plateau and through the stunning Imbros Gorge to the southern coast of the Sfakia province. Fragokastelo is well-signposted from here, and the journey typically takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes. If you’re coming from Rethymnon, take the road to Plakias, then head east to Rodakino before reaching Fragokastelo. This drive is around one hour and provides a less challenging but also less scenic route than through the Imbros Gorge. Alternatively, buses to Fragokastelo are available from Chania.
Lakki, also known as Laki or Lakkes, is situated 81km southeast of Chania and 48km southwest of the city of Rethymno. It’s nestled close to Fragokastelo, a mere 2km to the east, and adjacent to the village of Skaloti. The beach, which can be reached by a drive from Skaloti, is to the west of Lakki, where a small stream from the Sfaggofarago Gorge flows into the sea.
The area is characterized by several picturesque sandy coves separated by petite rocky piers. It’s a tranquil location with minimal organization, featuring a handful of accommodations and taverns. The bustling region of Fragokastelo is within walking distance, making it convenient for those with vehicles.
Lakki is perfect for peaceful holidays, particularly for families and children. The sea is pristine and rarely crowded. Some coves provide umbrellas, but the abundance of tamarisk trees ensures ample shade.
If you find the time, a walk to Skaloti village is worthwhile, where you can appreciate the stunning Byzantine church of Prophet Elijah, constructed in 1335.
Find below list of gorges near Captain Tom:
The Skaloti Gorge, nestled within the extensive area of Fragokastelo, is one of many parallel canyons in the region. This compact canyon spans a distance of 2km, beginning from the picturesque Manikas plateau and concluding at the coastal village of Skaloti. The journey, which takes approximately 2.5 hours, involves hiking along an ancient path paved with stones and surrounded by steep inclines. Initially, the canyon is wide and open, but it gradually narrows and the walls become vertical. Vegetation in the area is primarily composed of bushes and undergrowth. The Perama stream traverses the gorge, finally emptying onto the shores of Lakki beach.
The Kallikratis Canyon, a relatively small gorge located in the southeast of Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in the Sfakia province, forms part of the E4 European walking route. It serves as a passageway connecting the mountain pasture lands with the lowland villages of the Frangokastelo plain. A hike through this gorge offers a delightful walk and stunning views of the South Cretan Sea. The entrance to the canyon is situated at the Kallikratis plateau, accessible via a paved road from Askyfou, Asi Gonia, or Frangokastelo.
Kallikratis is home to the charming Panagia church, and from here, you can begin your descent through the gorge, which concludes in the village of Patsianos. From Kallikratis village, follow the asphalt road leading to Patsianos that runs parallel to the gorge bed. At certain points, you will need to follow the riverbed, which gradually deepens, with the road rising high above you. After about half an hour, the road will have risen considerably to the left, and the stream will be fairly deep. The trail has been slightly modified in some places due to debris from road construction.
In the heart of the Sfakia Province, nestled in the ruins of the village Kolokasia, a stream begins to form at the base of the Virgin Mary (Panagia) church. This stream, fed by the village’s water, meanders through the local olive grove before transforming into a rugged, small gorge known as Rechtas or Rektas – a name signifying ‘waterfall’ in the local dialect.
True to its name, shortly after the gorge’s onset, a breathtaking 20-meter high waterfall cascades down, barring further access to the gorge without the aid of a rope. Beyond this majestic waterfall, the gorge is adorned with awe-inspiring rock shelters and caves, once used by locals as animal paddocks.
The journey through the gorge also includes small waterfalls, a natural arch, and a grove of carob trees. Eventually, the canyon opens up, revealing an ancient trail that ascends up the eastern side, leading to a rock shelter. This shelter, perched high above the riverbed, provides stunning vistas of the gorge and the Fragokastello valley.
In recent years, this wild rock shelter has been transformed into a charming, cavernous temple, possibly the newest in Crete. This transformation was inspired by a priest from Sfakia, George Chiotakis, who received a divine vision from the Blessed Porphyrios of Athos, advising him to build a temple. Consequently, the church is unofficially dedicated to Saint Porphyrius, with his icons scattered throughout the temple, along with several icons of the revered Saint Anthimos from Cephalonia, who once resided in the Sfakia region.
The stunning Sykia gorge, which is actually the easternmost gorge in the province of Sfakia, is located north of Rodakino village. It’s a technical canyon, meaning that traversing it requires specialized equipment due to its over 10 steep descents or waterfalls, which are safeguarded by the speleological groups of Crete. The tallest rappel stands at around 12 meters high.
The Sykia stream combines with the untamed canyons of Rodakino (also known as Maglinara) and the longest gorge in the area, Karavos. The stream then flows under both the new and old bridges of Rodakino, finally reaching the picturesque Korakas beach. Canyon explorers typically leave the gorge just after the old bridge, while those up for a full-length trek will encounter another rappel. The narrowest part of Sykia, after it merges with the Rodakino Gorge, is truly breathtaking.
Speleological clubs have named the gorge Sykia, meaning sycamore-fig tree, due to the abundance of fig trees found along the route. However, its official name is Xepitira. Except for times following heavy rainfall, the gorge is typically dry.
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