Best things to do in Frangokastello in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Frangokastello is a coastal settlement on the south coast of Crete, about 30 km south of Rethymno, in the Chania region. The village takes its name from the Venetian castle above the shore, and the name itself means “Castle of the Franks”. Frangokastello lies in a valley at the foot of the White Mountains, 9 km east of Chora Sfakion, and the fortress, the folklore attached to it and the sand dunes behind the beach are what people come for.
Chania airport lies about 40 km away on the northern side of the island. The settlement stays small, with limited but expanding tourist facilities, though the main beach fills up through the summer.
Things to do in and around Frangokastello
Six outings lie within 4 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- See the Venetian fortress. The castle was built in 1371 and stands directly above the beach. Its age and the legend of the Drosoulites ghosts are the reason Frangokastello is known across western Crete.
- Swim at the main beach. The shoreline 100 m from the centre is sandy with shallow turquoise water, which suits children and families, and it carries amenities and crowds through the summer months. Northern winds sometimes sweep the sand at Frangokastello beach, so check the forecast before a full beach day.
- Walk to Orthi Ammos. The sandy, shallow beach next door sits 1.1 km away and has seen modest development compared with Frangokastello itself. Vast sand hills and dunes back Orthi Ammos, and the walk from Frangokastello takes about 10 minutes.
- Explore the Vatalos coves. The coast 1.9 km west breaks into peaceful coves of sand mixed with pebbles and rocks, and the run out from the fortress passes Iligas, Hodros Volakas and Mavro Nero before it reaches Vatalos.
- Hike the Rehta gorge. The gorge begins 3 km away in the ruined village of Kolokasia, where a stream forms at the base of the Panagia church and runs through an olive grove. A 20-metre waterfall drops a short way into Rehta gorge and bars further progress without a rope, and rock shelters and caves once used as animal paddocks lie beyond it.
- Descend the Kallikratis Gorge. The route starts 3.9 km away on the Kallikratis plateau, beside the Panagia church there, and ends in the village of Patsianos. Kallikratis Gorge forms part of the E4 European walking route and gives views over the South Cretan Sea.
About Frangokastello and its setting
Frangokastello is a small but growing community built around a Venetian fortress of 1371 on the white sandy shore of Crete’s south coast. Frangokastello sits on a plain between the White Mountains and the sea, and its tourist facilities remain limited even as they expand. The ground west of the castle is farmland and coves in summer, and about 2 km of it becomes a wetland of some importance in winter.
Two inland villages give the plain its wider character. Patsianos, where the Kallikratis gorge comes out, is known for traditional architecture and churches, and Kallikratis sits on the plateau above with long views. Much of the accommodation for the area is not in the village core at all but in the Vatalos strip 1.5 km west of the fortress.
Beaches in and around Frangokastello
Five beaches lie within 5 km of the fortress.
- Frangokastello beach is 100 m from the centre, a sandy shoreline with shallow turquoise water and amenities, busy through summer and exposed to occasional northern winds.
- Orthi Ammos lies 1.1 km away, sandy and shallow with sand hills, dunes and clear water, mildly affected by southern winds, and its eastern section has traditionally drawn nudists.
- Vatalos sits 1.9 km west, quiet coves of sand, pebbles and rock below fertile fields, with a winter wetland running about 2 km west from the castle.
- Lakki is 3.4 km east, also spelled Laki or Lakkes, a tranquil run of sandy coves divided by small rocky piers, with minimal organisation and a handful of rooms and taverns beside the village of Skaloti.
- Koutelos lies 4.5 km west near the village of Nomikiana, unstructured and quiet, with large round pebbles and a local fish tavern, and clearly signposted from the Sfakia road.
Where to eat in Frangokastello
Eating in Frangokastello means tavernas, and all of those below stand within about 2 km of the fortress.
- Sunrise Taverna is 700 m from the centre.
- Blue Sky Restaurant sits 700 m out, attached to apartments.
- Georgia’s Tastes cooks 900 m from the centre.
- Argilos Tavern stands 1.4 km from the centre.
- Taverna Vatalos lies 2.1 km west, in the Vatalos area.
Getting to Frangokastello
Reach Frangokastello on the south-coast road that runs east from Chora Sfakion, 9 km away. Chania airport lies about 40 km off and Rethymno 30 km, both on the northern side of the island.
Two neighbouring settlements sit within 10 km of the plain. The village of Komitades, 6.6 km west at the mouth of the Imbros Gorge, stands 200 m up among olive groves with views of the Libyan Sea and the island of Gavdos. The port of Chora Sfakion lies 9.1 km west along the coast. A paved road also climbs to the Kallikratis plateau from Frangokastello, Askyfou and Asi Gonia.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Frangokastello in Crete?
Frangokastello lies on the south coast of Crete, about 30 km south of Rethymno and 9 km east of Chora Sfakion, in the Chania region. The village occupies a valley on the plain below the White Mountains.
Why is Frangokastello called that?
Frangokastello means “Castle of the Franks”, after the Venetian fortress built here in 1371. The castle still stands above the beach and carries the legend of the Drosoulites ghosts.
Does Frangokastello have a sandy beach?
Yes, the main beach is sandy with shallow turquoise water, 100 m from the centre. Orthi Ammos, 1.1 km away, adds a second sandy beach backed by sand hills and dunes, though the sand there gets very hot underfoot on the walk down.
How far is Frangokastello from Chania airport?
Chania airport sits about 40 km from Frangokastello, with the White Mountains between the two. Chania city lies about 80 km away by road, over the White Mountains, and Kissamos further still on the same north coast.
Can you walk a gorge from Frangokastello?
Four gorges lie within 8 km of the village. Rehta at Kolokasia is 3 km away and Kallikratis 3.9 km, while Skaloti Gorge is 4.7 km off and Kapni Gorge 7.3 km. The Kallikratis route is the one that ends on the Frangokastello plain, at Patsianos.
Where Frangokastello is
Best things to do in Frangokastello in 2024 is located at Frangokastello. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
