Gavalochori
Gavalochori is an inland village in the Apokoronas region of Crete, about 26 km south-east of Chania, and 5 beaches lie within 5 km of it. Gavalochori itself has no shore: the village stands back from the coast, and the water starts 2.7 km away at Almyrida, on the south side of Souda Bay. The beaches within reach range from 2 shallow sandy bays to a rocky diving cove with a harbour dock, so the choice depends on whether you want sand or deep water.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Gavalochori. The village belongs to the Vamos municipality and takes its name from the Gavalas family, who lived here under Venetian rule. Churches, Venetian stone arches, an olive oil factory and Roman tombs stand in and around the settlement.
Things to do in and around Gavalochori
Six outings lie within about 11 km of Gavalochori, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Visit the folklore museum. The Folklore Museum of Gavalochori stands 200 m from the village centre.
- Find the Venetian wells. A complex about 1 km from the village holds 24 Venetian wells, ringed by unusual trees with twisted branches.
- Swim at Almyrida. Almyrida lies 2.7 km away and is really 2 shallow sandy beaches, split by a small rocky peninsula topped with a white chapel, with the uninhabited islet of Karga just offshore.
- Walk through Kokkino Chorio. The village, 3.2 km from Gavalochori, kept the wartime shelters that German forces built on Drapanokefala hill to guard Souda Bay, along with its traditional houses and its wells. The village served as a location for the film of Zorba the Greek.
- Dive from Koutalis. Koutalis, 4.9 km out, is secluded enough that local scuba divers start from it to reach the sea caves along this coast, and the Elephants’ Cave and Petsis Cave lie in the same stretch.
- Hike the Diktamos gorge. The canyon begins 10.5 km from the village near Katochori at 300 m and runs 8 km east to Faragi village at 40 m, close to Stylos. Crossing it takes about 3 hours and needs care in places, and its stream is the main tributary of the Kiliaris river, which reaches the sea at Kalives beach.
Beaches near Gavalochori
Five beaches lie between 2.7 km and 4.9 km from Gavalochori, all of them on the south shore of Souda Bay or around the Drapanokefala peninsula.
- Almyrida lies 2.7 km away, the closest, with 2 shallow sandy bays that stay calm enough for children on windless days. Tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre back the sand.
- Kera sits 3.3 km away, soft sand with the occasional pebble under tall cliffs, shallow and clear but unorganised. Karga island is in view, and a long rock in the sea at the western end is called Karavos, meaning ship.
- Kalives is 4.3 km away, where the Xidas and Mesopotamos rivers reach the coast. The two sandy beaches either side of the Xidas, named Xidas and Maistrali, are shallow and well equipped, and the river water and sea springs keep the sea cooler than elsewhere.
- Ombros Gialos lies 4.3 km away on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula, a small rocky bay with a harbour dock that lets swimmers step straight into deep water. There are no sunbeds, and one fish tavern serves the cove.
- Koutalis sits 4.9 km away near Cape Drepano, about 1 km north of Kokkino Chorio, secluded and used as a starting point by divers working the sea caves nearby.
Where to eat in Gavalochori
Eating in Gavalochori means village kafenia and tavernas, two of them within 200 m of the centre and the rest in the hamlets around it.
- Arismarí is 200 m from the centre, in the village itself.
- Elpida is a traditional kafenio and mezedopolio, 200 m from the centre.
- Douliana Kafenion is a kafenio at Douliana, 1.8 km out.
- Heliostasi is a traditional restaurant, 1.8 km out.
- Eleonoras Taverna serves taverna cooking, 2.1 km out.
- Café Francoise sits 2.6 km from the village.
Getting to Gavalochori
Reach Gavalochori by road from Chania, which lies about 26 km to the north-west, and Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to the village. Gavalochori belongs to the Vamos municipality in the Apokoronas region, set back from the south shore of Souda Bay.
Four neighbouring villages sit within 4 km, and each one leads to a different part of the coast. Almyrida, 2.7 km away, is the former fishing village behind the nearest beach; Plaka, 2.9 km away, stands about 1 km inland from that same shore; Kokkino Chorio is 3.2 km away, about 1 km inland from Koutalis beach; and Kefalas, 3.5 km away, sits near the Ombros Gialos side of the peninsula. Our separate Gavalochori village page carries the 32 hotels and villas listed in and around the village.
Frequently asked questions
Does Gavalochori have a beach?
Gavalochori is inland and has no beach of its own, but 5 lie within 5 km. Almyrida, 2.7 km away, is the closest of them, and Koutalis, 4.9 km away, is the furthest.
Which is the nearest beach to Gavalochori?
Almyrida is the nearest beach to Gavalochori, 2.7 km away on the south shore of Souda Bay. It is organised, with sunbeds, tavernas and a watersports centre behind the sand.
Which beach near Gavalochori suits children?
Almyrida suits children on windless days, because both of its bays are shallow and sandy. Kera, 3.3 km from the village, is shallow too, though it is unorganised, with no sunbeds, and the sand carries the occasional pebble.
Where is Gavalochori in Crete?
Gavalochori lies about 26 km south-east of Chania, in the Apokoronas region of north-west Crete. The village forms part of the Vamos municipality, set back from the south shore of Souda Bay.
What is Gavalochori known for?
Gavalochori is known as a preserved Venetian-era village, named after the Gavalas family who lived here during Venetian rule. Its churches, stone arches, olive oil factory and Roman tombs stand in and around the settlement, and a complex 1 km away holds 24 Venetian wells.
Which airport is nearest to Gavalochori?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Gavalochori. Chania city itself lies about 26 km north-west of the village.
Location
Gavalochori is located at Gavalochori, in the Chania region of Crete. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
