Best things to do in Kalamitsi Amygdali in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Kalamitsi Amygdali is an inland village in the Chania region of Crete, 3.4 km north-west of Georgioupolis. The village stands back from the sea, with the western end of Georgioupolis bay 3.1 km south-east and the hilltop village of Kefalas 3.6 km north. Georgioupolis itself lies 38 km east of Chania and 21 km west of Rethymno, so Kalamitsi Amygdali sits nearer Rethymno than Chania.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to the village. Kalamitsi Amygdali has no shoreline of its own, so a stay here runs on the coast south-east, the ridge villages north and the gorges inland. The nearest place to eat is 1.3 km out.
Things to do in and around Kalamitsi Amygdali
Six outings sit within reach of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Kalivaki. The beach 3.1 km south-east sits at the mouth of the Almyros river, and Kalivaki stays sheltered from the wind, with shallow water that runs noticeably cool.
- Spend a day in Georgioupolis. The resort 3.4 km south-east sits in a green valley crossed by rivers and springs, and Georgioupolis has the shops, tavernas and hotels the villages around it do not.
- Walk the lanes of Kefalas. The hilltop village 3.6 km north looks out over the Bay of Georgioupolis and the Lefka Ori, and the cluster of churches in Kefalas gives the village its nickname.
- Swim off the dock at Ombros Gialos. The rocky bay 5.6 km north-east centres on a small harbour whose dock drops straight into deep water, and Ombros Gialos has one fish tavern and no sunbeds.
- Drive to Almyrida. Two shallow sandy beaches 8.1 km north sit on the south shore of Souda Bay, split by a rocky peninsula topped with a white chapel, and Almyrida keeps tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre behind them.
- Walk the Petres Gorge. The gorge east of the village opens at Petres beach, 13 km west of Rethymno, and Petres narrows to a 1 km section near Karoti village where ponds form along the streambed.
About the village and its setting
Kalamitsi Amygdali is a small settlement in the belt of villages behind Georgioupolis bay. Four more of them stand within 9 km: Gavalohori 5.3 km north, Almirida and Kokkino Chorio 8.1 km north, and Plaka 8.2 km north. Kefalas, the nearest at 3.6 km, sits on the slopes of the Drapanos peninsula and has no beach of its own either.
Inland the ground rises towards the White Mountains, where two gorge walks lie within reach. The Diktamos Gorge, also called the Katochori or Stylos Gorge, runs north-west of the village from Katochori at 300 m down to Faragi at 40 m near Stylos, and its stream feeds the Kiliaris river that reaches the sea at Kalives. Crossing Diktamos takes about 3 hours and needs care in places, which makes it the harder of the two.
Beaches in and around Kalamitsi Amygdali
The 5 nearest beaches to Kalamitsi Amygdali lie between 3.1 km and 8.1 km away, in two groups. South-east runs the organised sand of Georgioupolis bay. North the coast turns rocky and the coves are smaller.
- Kalivaki lies 3.1 km south-east, the westernmost beach of Georgioupolis bay, west of the port and the church of Agios Nikolaos. The Almyros river meets the sea here, which keeps the water cool and the sand sheltered, and it suits children on windy days.
- Georgioupolis sits 3.5 km south-east, the western edge of a 10 km run of sand. The town beach covers 2 km eastwards from the Almiros river to Kavros, with dunes, shallow water, lifeguards, umbrellas, showers and food stalls.
- Ombros Gialos is 5.6 km north-east, a rocky bay on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula near Kefalas and Paleloni. Swimmers use the harbour dock to step into deep blue-green water, and there are no sunbeds, only a single fish tavern.
- Kavros follows 6.8 km south-east, 4 km east of Georgioupolis and the continuation of its beach. Restaurants, cafés and bars back the clear shallow water, and the open aspect brings waves when the wind gets up.
- Almyrida stands 8.1 km north, on the south shore of Souda Bay near Cape Drapanos. Two shallow sandy beaches lie either side of a chapel-topped rock, with the uninhabited islet of Karga offshore and the village of Plaka 1 km inland.
Where to eat near Kalamitsi Amygdali
Eating places sit in the hamlets around Kalamitsi Amygdali rather than in one street, and the nearest is 1.3 km away. The choice runs from roadside cafés to village tavernas.
- Cafe-Restaurant Exopolis is 1.3 km south-east, the closest place to eat.
- Estiatorio Profilio stands 1.5 km south-east.
- Library Tavern sits 2.1 km north-east.
- Progoulis Tavern lies 2.8 km west, in the same cluster as Melistalahto Cafe.
- Kalivaki Tavern is 3 km south-east, beside Kalivaki beach.
Getting to Kalamitsi Amygdali
Reach Kalamitsi Amygdali by road from Georgioupolis, 3.4 km south-east, or down from Kefalas, 3.6 km north. Chania town lies north-west of the village and Rethymno east, with Chania (CHQ) the nearest airport.
A car is worth having. The beaches sit 3 km to 8 km away in two directions, the gorges further still, and the ridge villages north of here, among them Gavalohori, Almirida and Kokkino Chorio, are linked by minor roads.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kalamitsi Amygdali in Crete?
Kalamitsi Amygdali lies in the Chania region of north-west Crete, 3.4 km north-west of Georgioupolis. The village sits south-east of Chania town and west of Rethymno.
Does Kalamitsi Amygdali have a beach?
Kalamitsi Amygdali is inland, and the nearest beach is Kalivaki, 3.1 km south-east. Kalivaki stands at the mouth of the Almyros river at the western end of Georgioupolis bay, and 4 more beaches follow within 8.1 km.
Which airport is nearest to Kalamitsi Amygdali?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Kalamitsi Amygdali. The village belongs to the Chania region, and the drive in runs through Georgioupolis on the north coast.
Can you walk a gorge from Kalamitsi Amygdali?
Two gorges lie within reach, the Diktamos to the north-west and the Petres to the east. Diktamos drops from Katochori at 300 m to Faragi at 40 m and takes around 3 hours. Petres narrows to a 1 km stretch near Karoti, opens at Petres beach, and carries water all year.
Is Kalamitsi Amygdali a good base without a car?
A car makes a real difference here. The nearest place to eat is 1.3 km away and the nearest beach 3.1 km, with the ridge villages and the gorges further again on minor roads.
Where Kalamitsi Amygdali is
Best things to do in Kalamitsi Amygdali in 2024 is located at Kalamitsi Amygdali. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
