Boasting quiet street views, almond home offers accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 33 km from Ancient Falassarna. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The holiday home is fitted with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Kissamos / Kasteli Port is 33 km from the holiday home. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 83 km from almond home.
Find below list of things to do near almond home:
Known for its sandy pink beaches and clear waters, Elafonisi is a stop you won’t want to miss. Located 76km west of Chania, in the South-West tip of Crete, this peninsula forms part of a protected area and is home to the endangered loggerhead sea turtle as well as other rare plants and animals.
The day begins with pick up from specific points in Chania. Travel for about 40-minutes on a comfortable, air-conditioned bus. Make a stop in a place with authentic and traditional products for about 15-minutes. At the beach, you’ll have the chance to explore the area on your own. Wander through sand dunes or just enjoy a relaxing swim.
Those traveling with children will enjoy the shallow lagoons, which are perfect for wading and exploring. On your return journey stop iat a traditional tavern in a picturesque village for about an hour. Choose to eat from a number of places to eat at this location (at your own expense). Be sure to bring your camera, as you’ll want to get a picture of the pinkish sand – a color it gets from the millions of crushed shells.
In the mid-afternoon, the bus departs for the return trip to Elafonisi.
On this full-day trip, you’ll travel from Georgioupolis to the southwest corner of Crete and spend a relaxing day on the pink beaches of the small island of Elafonisi.
During the 3-hour drive to the island, you can sit back and relax, admiring the beauty of the lush green landscapes, traditional villages, and a small church built inside a cave along the way. After taking a short break to stop for a drink, you’ll reach your destination, Elafonisi, a picturesque bathing paradise with an island that can be easily reached by foot. The water on the island is shallow, clear and gleams with beautiful shades of blue and green. You’ll have plenty of time to unwind on the beach and to purchase snacks and drinks on the island before returning to Georgioupolis in the evening.
Discover one of the most beautiful beaches in the world on this day trip from Rethymno to Elafonissi. Experience a heaven on earth, with soft white and pink sand, exotic crystal-clear water, and cedar trees that extend down to the coastline. Visit traditional villages like Elos and Kaloudiana.
Get picked up from your hotel area in the morning, then stop for a short break in the traditional village of Elos. Time permitting, enjoy time to have breakfast or a coffee (cost not included). Afterward, depart for Elafonissi.
On the way, see small traditional villages combined with typical Mediterranean scenery. Admire the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge. At Elafonissi, get 4 hours of free time to soak in the sun and enjoy the spectrum of shades of blue that this beach has to offer.
At the end of your tour, stop at the village Kaloudiana, where you can explore the village and have refreshments or food (not included). Later, get driven back to your accommodation in Rethymno.
Experience a very special Tour that leads you to Crete’s most southwestern part on the small island of Elafonisi.
Drive from the north coast to the southwest and enjoy a scenic ride through beautiful nature and picturesque mountain villages to one of Crete’s most beautiful beaches.
Enjoy pure relaxation on exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water. Jump into the refreshingly cool water and admire the pink shimmering sand in some locations, which has arisen from broken shells.
The small lagoon provides an ideal place for paddling and bathing for children as well. Cross the shallow lagoon and reach the small idyllic island, where you can admire beautiful dunes and the local nature.
Towards the sea, Elafonisi shows a steep rocky ridge, which is the real core of the island. Between the ridge and the coast, the island arose from alluvial deposition over thousands of years. That’s why the island looks like a big sandy desert.
Elafonisi is the nesting site of the sea turtle Caretta Caretta and the last resting place for migratory birds on their flight from Europe to Africa.
Start your day of discovery with a pick-up service. Right after you board your comfortable, air-conditioned bus, you will journey to the southwest corner of Crete to spend a relaxing day on the pink sand beaches on the small island of Elafonisi.
Take in the lush green landscape on the way to the island as you travel through the impressive Topolia Gorge and pass This is an excursion you do not want to miss!
Up to the south-westernmost point of the island, in one of the most spectacular and unexpected locations on the
island, is where we will spend the day.
Elafonisi is a place of exceptional natural beauty, something between an island and a peninsula, as you have to
walk through the sea to reach it.
Once occupied by pirates, today it is a very popular destination for day-trippers who flood there to faraway lagoon,
whilst having a Mediterranean holiday.
Elafonisi is a paradise on earth – a heaven of unparalleled beauty. It is covered with sand dunes, low trees, bushes,
sand lilies and junipers. You can get there on foot from the beach by passing through shallow aquamarine and turquoise
waters. The white and pink sand made of thousands of broken seashells, the limpid blue-green waters, the little coves
and the secluded tiny beaches remind the travelers of a paradise lost.
Take a swim in the warm tropical waters and relax under the hot summer sun!
11:00 Arrival Elafonisi
15:30 Departure from Elafonisi
19:30 Arrival Heraklion
Route: 540 km
Duration: app. 15 hours
Stay Elafonisi: app. 4 ½ hours
Ride in a comfortable coach through small traditional villages and typical Mediterranean scenery. See the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorge and have a stop for coffee and refreshments.
Arrive at Elafonissi beach. Here, you have four hours of free time to marvel at the different colors from the soft pink and white sand to the turquoise waters.
As well as exploring the wonders of the beach, discover the small island. This lies just off the shore and you can reach it by strolling through the water. Both the beach and the island are protected wildlife areas of rare beauty and included in the Natura 2000 Protection Programme.
Find below list of beaches near almond home:
The Livadia coves, nestled near the Livadia village, are situated 72km southwest of Chania and 31km south of Kissamos. These coves don’t usually feature on a visitor’s itinerary due to their rocky and wavy terrain, a characteristic of most beaches on the western side of Crete. However, these coves are a favorite among the locals and visitors of Livadia village and those who prefer solitude. The village offers limited tourist amenities. On calm days, the Livadia coastline is a dream destination for snorkelling enthusiasts.
The Livadia village is situated along the E4 European hiking path – a coastal trail renowned for its extraordinary natural beauty. The trail commences at the Sfinari village and passes through Livadia and Chrissoskalitisa villages before culminating at the Elafonisi beach. The trail embodies the rugged charm of Crete, with the landscape alternating between olive and locust trees and weather-beaten rocks of black and red volcanic lava.
To reach the beaches, one can stroll along the Livadia village shoreline, pass the port, and arrive at the large black rock formations, recognized as a natural monument. Behind these rocks lie clusters of small ponds filled with greenish water. The sandy and pebbly coves make for a perfect spot for a rejuvenating swim. Alternatively, one can also swim at the pebbly beach within the small harbour of Livadia.
The Keramoti beach, positioned adjacent to a village of the same name, is situated 75km southwest of Chania and 36km south of Kissamos. This medium-sized, pebbly beach is notable for its rocky areas and is well-known among the local populace. However, its rugged terrain may not be suitable for families. Despite the lack of beach amenities, its seclusion makes it an attractive getaway. Accommodation is available in the nearby villages of Keramoti and Livadia.
A stream, fed by mountain springs, runs alongside the beach, providing fresh water. The stream and underwater springs contribute to the cooling of the seawater.
Access to the beach is via a somewhat rough dirt track from Keramoti. The surrounding area is largely rocky, but the rock formations are truly spectacular.
The Xotikospilio, translating to “the cave of elves”, is situated 70km southwest of Chania, 30km south of Kissamos, and approximately 1.5 km northwest of the village Keramoti. The name is derived from a local legend that suggests that elves inhabit the small cave adjacent to it. Visitors can explore the cave and observe the petite chapel built within it. The cave of Xotikospilios was the site of a tragic massacre on Good Friday of 1824, where Turkish forces murdered women and children taking refuge there post the Elafonissi slaughter.
Nestled within a small rugged cove, this secluded beach is encapsulated by the untamed Cretan landscape. The beachfront is composed of large, round pebbles and lacks any nearby facilities. Its secluded nature makes it ideal for snorkelling and quiet moments, though the western Crete coastline’s waves can pose a challenge for swimmers. Access to Xotikospilio is possible via a dirt track, but it’s advisable to park your vehicle on the plateau before the beach instead of driving it all the way down.
Gylisma, also known as Kambos or Afratolaki, is a stony beach nestled 69km southwest of Chania city and 29km south of Kissamos, in proximity to the village of Kambos. The beach, characterized by its coarse pebbles, is not particularly suited for swimming, especially for families on windy days due to the high waves. The locals of Kambos mainly frequent it on calm days.
Afratolakki is an excellent option for those seeking solitude. Although the beach has basic amenities for accommodation and food, it lacks facilities like umbrellas and sunbeds. The rocky seabed of Afratolakki makes it an ideal spot for snorkelling.
To access the beach, one must traverse a 4.5km poorly-maintained dirt track leading from Kambos village to the beach.
Find below list of gorges near almond home:
Traveling along the western coast of Crete towards Elafonissi beach, you’ll encounter the picturesque village of Kambos, nestled within the Kissamos province. A brief detour off the main road to the west will bring you to the verdant Kambos canyon, the most westerly gorge on the island, which is fed by the small Koutroulis massif.
A scenic hiking trail winds its way through the canyon, beneath the shade of towering plane trees and alongside a river that flows year-round. The journey is punctuated by striking rock formations and culminates at a natural spring. From there, the path reconnects with the road descending from the village, leading to the subterranean churches of Agia Ekaterini and Agia Marina.
Continuing your trek along the riverbed can occasionally prove challenging due to thick vegetation and water, but the journey is worth it. From Agia Kyriaki, the path follows the riverbed to the secluded yet stunning Platanakia beach, where plane trees stretch their branches out to the sea.
The Sirikari gorge, situated 55km west of Chania and 17km south of Kissamos, is nestled in a verdant area filled with canyons and streams. The paved road leading to Sirikari weaves through lush vegetation, offering a glimpse of the area’s beauty from the get-go. The gorge splits into two parallel paths here – Tsichliano to the west and Kioliano or Sirikariano to the east, both culminating at the Polirinia settlement, the site of the ancient town of Polirinia. The town’s ancient walls, still in a decent state of preservation, stand tall in its citadel, atop a hill with a panoramic view of the Kissamos bay.
Close to Sirikari, an enchanting forest unfolds, home to towering chestnut trees, quaint waterfalls, and babbling brooks. Although it isn’t the only chestnut forest in the Chania prefecture, with several others dotting the slopes of the White Mountains, its beauty and vastness set it apart.
Adjacent to Sirikari, in Sineniana, stand two well-preserved old watermills. A visit to the Church of the Assumption is also recommended, particularly on August 15th, when a traditional feast is held. The church, nestled in the chestnut grove, is surrounded by other trees like holm oaks, cypresses, and plane trees. A little further along, you can explore an abandoned village set amidst a stunning oak wood. Additionally, the Sirikari village houses the 15th-century Byzantine church of the Holy Apostles (Agii Apostoli), which is definitely worth a visit.
The gorge of Topolia (Topoliano) is located in west Crete and it runs along the road leading to Elafonissi via Elos. The canyon actually starts near the village Strovles at an altitude of 450m, and exits near the village Topolia, at an altitude of 150m. However, the narrowest and most impressive hiking part of the gorge is located between Katsomatados and Topolia, where the side rocks are very high and steep. The canyon is crossed by the River Tyflos, which originates from Mount Dikeos. At the beginning of the narrow part, it is worth visiting the Cave of Agia Sofia, located just above the main road.
The canyon and the wider area host rare and endemic plants of Crete, while the Cave of St. Sophia houses a species of cave spider that lives only there (Pholcus creticus). According to local traditions, Topolia Gorge hosted fairies and the Minoan goddess Vritomartis. Here, the legendary Talos used to stop and enjoy the divine music of the fairies. When Talos arrived at the place, rested inside a big cave, drank water and fell asleep. Then, the fairies and elves of the river arrived, singing and dancing.
In the overlooked area of Selino, South Chania, you’ll discover the hidden gem that is the Pelekaniotis River. This river, boasting the highest water flow in Selino, holds such significance that it inspired the name of the Paleochora municipality – Pelekanos. It remains a steady water source throughout the year, culminating in a verdant green valley at the Macherota location. The towering cliffs of the canyon serve as a habitat for numerous birds of prey, providing company for hikers along their journey.
The gorge’s exit can be located by following a dirt road that begins at Grameno beach near Paleochora and traces the river’s west bank. Regrettably, this path crosses a small area littered with rubbish and debris. However, beyond this, the scenery transforms into a lush Cretan landscape. Two kilometres in, the Agios Mamas chapel, adorned with well-preserved frescoes, can be found on the western shore. Despite its significance, the existence of Saint Mammes (Agios Mamas) remains largely unknown, even to locals. Across from Agios Mamas, the old whitewashed chapel of Saint George stands, though it lacks frescoes.
A kilometre further, the dirt road ends at a tank filled with drinkable water. From this point, the gorge can be explored on foot, particularly during summer when the water levels are lower. Adventurous hikers might prefer to visit the Pelekanos Gorge in winter, to witness a 25m high waterfall cascading into the river.
Approximately halfway through the gorge, some of Crete’s most impressive plane trees can be found, with some over 1000 years old and featuring remarkable trunk formations. Much of the canyon is narrow, with sunlight rarely reaching the riverbed. This natural masterpiece is adorned with vertical walls dotted with numerous holm oak trees.
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