Best things to do in Douliana in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Douliana is an inland village in the Chania region, 1.8 km from Gavalochori and 2.4 km above Almyrida on the south shore of Souda Bay. The village stands in the Apokoronas countryside south-east of Chania, among olive groves and stone-built villages rather than on the coast. Douliana is small, and a kafenion, a restaurant and a cooperative all sit within 200 m of its centre.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport, and it sits closer to Douliana than Chania city does. The village suits a visitor who wants an old Apokoronas village to sleep in with the Souda Bay beaches a few minutes down the hill.
Things to do in and around Douliana
Six outings lie within 9 km of Douliana, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Walk round Gavalochori. The village of Gavalochori lies 1.8 km away and takes its name from the Gavalas family, who lived there under Venetian rule. Churches, Venetian stone arches, an olive oil factory and Roman tombs stand in the village, and a complex of 24 Venetian wells sits about 1 km outside it.
- Visit the folklore museum. The Folklore Museum of Gavalochori stands 1.8 km from Douliana, in the same village.
- Swim at Almyrida, the former fishing village of Almyrida, 2.4 km away, has 2 shallow sandy bays, seaside tavernas and a watersports centre, with a white chapel on the rocky peninsula between them.
- Spend a day at Kalives. The resort of Kalives lies 3.2 km from Douliana in a green valley crossed by rivers, and its name means huts, after the shelters farmers once built for summer nights in the fields.
- See Kokkino Chorio. The village of Kokkino Chorio, 4.1 km away, kept its traditional houses and its old water wells, stood in as a location for Zorba the Greek, and holds the wartime shelters the Germans cut into Drapanokefala hill to watch over Souda Bay.
- Hike the Diktamos Gorge, which begins 8.7 km from the village near Katochori at 300 m and runs 8 km east to Faragi village at 40 m, close to Stylos. The route takes about 3 hours and needs care in places.
Beaches in and around Douliana
Douliana has no beach of its own, and 5 beaches lie between 2 km and 7 km away on the south shore of Souda Bay and around Cape Drapanos. Two are sandy and organised, and the other three are rocky coves that suit swimming and diving more than sunbathing.
- Kera lies 2.3 km away, soft sand with the odd pebble under tall cliffs, between Kalives and Plaka. The water is shallow and clear, the beach is unorganised, and the long rock offshore at its western end is called Karavos, meaning ship, with Karga island in view beyond.
- Almyrida sits 2.4 km away, 2 shallow sandy beaches that stay calm for children on windless days, backed by tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre. A rocky peninsula topped by a white chapel divides the two bays, and the uninhabited islet of Karga lies just offshore.
- Kalives stands 3 km away, with two well-equipped sandy beaches called Xidas and Maistrali, either side of the Xidas river at the eastern edge of the village. The rivers and the sea springs keep the water cooler here, and northern winds reach both beaches.
- Koutalis begins 5.5 km away, a secluded beach near Cape Drepano about 1 km north of Kokkino Chorio. Local divers start from here to reach the sea caves along this coast, among them the Elephants’ Cave and Petsis Cave.
- Ombros Gialos opens 6.1 km away, a small rocky bay on the east side of the Drapanokefala peninsula near Kefalas and Paleloni. Its harbour dock drops straight into deep blue-green water, and a fish tavern is the only thing on it.
Where to eat in Douliana
Eating in Douliana happens in the village centre, with more choice at Gavalochori 2 km away.
- Douliana Kafenion stands in the centre of the village.
- The Douliana sits 100 m from the centre.
- Heliostasi serves traditional cooking 200 m out.
- Arismarí lies 1.8 km away, at Gavalochori.
- Cafe-Mezedopolio Elpida is 1.9 km from Douliana.
Getting to Douliana
Douliana is reached on the small roads that link the Apokoronas villages, with Gavalochori 1.8 km away and the coast at Almyrida 2.4 km down the hill. Kalives, 3.2 km off, is the other coastal village within easy reach.
Chania lies north-west of the village and Rethymno east, with Chania airport the closer of the two airports. A car helps, though the village sits near enough to Almyrida and Gavalochori to walk to both.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Douliana in Crete?
Douliana lies in the Apokoronas countryside of the Chania region, 1.8 km from Gavalochori and 2.4 km from Almyrida. The village sits south-east of Chania, inland from the south shore of Souda Bay.
Does Douliana have a beach?
Douliana is an inland village with no beach of its own, but 5 beaches lie within 7 km. Kera, 2.3 km away, is the nearest, and Almyrida at 2.4 km is the nearest organised one.
Is Douliana a good base for families?
The shallow bays at Almyrida, 2.4 km away, are the reason families use this corner of Apokoronas. Both beaches there stay calm on windless days, and tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre sit behind the sand.
What is there to see near Douliana?
Gavalochori, 1.8 km away, holds the most to see near Douliana. The village keeps Venetian stone arches, Roman tombs, an olive oil factory, a folklore museum and a complex of 24 Venetian wells about 1 km outside it.
Which airport is closest to Douliana?
Chania (CHQ) is the closest airport to Douliana, and it lies nearer to the village than Chania city does. Rethymno lies east of the village.
Where Douliana is
Best things to do in Douliana in 2024 is located at Douliana. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
