Best things to do in Kalochorafitis in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Kalochorafitis is an inland village in the Heraklion region of Crete, 6.2 km from the town of Timpaki and south-west of Heraklion city. The village lies about 8 km back from the south coast, where the harbour town of Kokkinos Pyrgos fronts one of the longest sandy beaches on the island. The western edge of the Messara plain begins at Timpaki. Kalochorafitis itself has no resort front, so what the village offers is proximity rather than facilities.
Heraklion (HER) is the nearest airport, and Heraklion city sits north-east of the village across the island. Kalochorafitis suits travellers who want the archaeological sites and the walking gorges of the western Mesara within a short drive, and who are happy to reach the sea by car.
Things to do in and around Kalochorafitis
Six outings lie within 10 km of Kalochorafitis, listed here from nearest to furthest.
- Visit the monastery at Skourvoula. Saint Nikolaos monastery stands 3.3 km from the village and is the closest of the sights listed here.
- Stop at Cretanzeuspark. The park lies 4.7 km out, close enough to combine with the museum below in one morning.
- See the Museum of Cretan Ethnology. The museum sits 4.8 km from Kalochorafitis.
- Walk round Agia Triada. The archaeological site of Agia Triada is 5.8 km away and is the nearest excavated site to the village.
- Follow the Apolychnos Gorge. Apolychnos is a narrow valley 7.3 km from the village that traces the Tourki stream down to the Geropotamos river; the route runs roughly 3 km from near Panagia village to the settlement of Agios Antonios, and the exit end is easy to reach because it sits beside the main road from Mires.
- Hike the Rouvas Gorge. The gorge lies 9.9 km away between the Ambelakia and Samari peaks, and 2.7 km of its 4 km length has been laid out by the Forest Service for hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing and wildlife watching; it takes its other name from the Saint Nicholas monastery near the exit at Zaros.
About Kalochorafitis and its setting
Kalochorafitis sits in the vegetable-growing country of the western Mesara, and the towns nearby carry the services. Timpaki, 6.2 km away on the western edge of the Messara plain, has banks, medical centres, schools, stores, restaurants, hotels and a post office, and its economy runs on the early vegetables grown in the surrounding area. Phaistos, the ancient city, stands a few kilometres from Timpaki.
The land changes character quickly in every direction. North of Mires the ground rises into olive groves, and the Apolychnos gorge cuts through them as a wooded ravine. Further north again, Zaros sits 8.2 km from the village at the foot of Psiloritis, where the Rouvas gorge is the most significant in the massif and in central Crete. South of the plain, Kamilari lies 8.8 km away. Two more gorges sit further out for walkers working through the area, Kinigospilios at Hordaki and Platania.
Beaches in and around Kalochorafitis
Kalochorafitis has no beach of its own, because the village stands inland; the nearest shore is at Kokkinos Pirgos, 7.7 km away. The same Messara Bay shoreline runs west to Agia Galini and south-east towards Kommos, so 3 beach areas share one coast road.
- Kokkinos Pirgos lies 7.7 km away, also called Red Tower after a tower built of red soil at the mouth of the Geropotamos river. The beach is long and sandy, runs south-east towards Kommos for several kilometres, and is a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles in summer. The village behind it is the port of Timpaki.
- Kalamaki is a seaside hamlet between Matala and Kokkinos Pirgos, fronted by a 2.5 km stretch of the Messara Bay shoreline. The sand covers a flat rock bed, and north-west winds often raise large waves, which can make getting into the water awkward. The section in front of the village has sunbeds, umbrellas, a lifeguard, a playground and water sports; Kommos, further south-east, is used by nudists.
- Agia Galini is a resort at the western end of the same shoreline, in the southern Rethymno prefecture near the mouth of the Platys river. Its long beach starts east of the port and runs to Kokkinos Pirgos, the sea here is usually calm, and the part nearest the port has fine pebbles and full facilities.
Where to eat near Kalochorafitis
Eating near Kalochorafitis means driving a few kilometres, as the 2 closest places both sit under 5 km from the village. Beyond them, Kokkinos Pyrgos has tavernas and bars along its harbour front, 8 km away, and Timpaki has restaurants of its own.
- Vorriano Hangout stands 4.6 km from the village.
- Taverna Alekos is 4.8 km from the village.
Getting to Kalochorafitis
Kalochorafitis is reached from the road network of the western Mesara, with Mires and Timpaki as the reference points on it. The nearest towns are Timpaki at 6.2 km, Kokkinos Pyrgos at 8 km, Zaros at 8.2 km and Kamilari at 8.8 km, so the coast, the plain and the archaeological sites share one short circuit of roads.
Heraklion (HER) is the nearest airport, and the city it serves lies north-east of the village. Everything described on this page falls between 3 km and 10 km out, so a car is the practical way to use Kalochorafitis as a base.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kalochorafitis in Crete?
Kalochorafitis is an inland village in the Heraklion region, 6.2 km from Timpaki and south-west of Heraklion city. It stands about 8 km back from the south coast of the island.
Does Kalochorafitis have a beach?
No, Kalochorafitis is inland, and the nearest beach is Kokkinos Pirgos, 7.7 km away. That beach is long and sandy, doubles as the port of Timpaki, and is a nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles in summer.
Which airport is nearest to Kalochorafitis?
Heraklion (HER) is the nearest airport to Kalochorafitis. The city it serves lies north-east of the village, on the other side of the island from this coast.
Can you walk a gorge from Kalochorafitis?
Two gorges lie within 10 km of Kalochorafitis: Apolychnos at 7.3 km and Rouvas at 9.9 km. Apolychnos runs about 3 km and its exit sits beside the main road from Mires, which makes it the easier of the two to join. Rouvas comes out at Zaros.
What is there to visit near Kalochorafitis?
The Museum of Cretan Ethnology at 4.8 km and the archaeological site of Agia Triada at 5.8 km are the 2 closest visitor attractions. Saint Nikolaos monastery at Skourvoula is nearer still at 3.3 km, and Phaistos stands a few kilometres from Timpaki.
Where Kalochorafitis is
Best things to do in Kalochorafitis in 2024 is located at Kalochorafitis. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
