Best things to do in Kampia in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Kambanion, also written Kampia, is a small village in the Apokoronas area of the Chania region, 1.1 km from both Plaka and Kokkino Chorio on the peninsula that closes Souda Bay to the east. The village sits inland of the shore. Almyrida beach, 1.7 km away, lies about 23 km east of Chania by road, and Kera beach, 3 km away, about 20 km, which puts Kampia between those two figures.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport. The attractions around Kampia are film history, caves, wartime shelters, swimming and one technical gorge rather than resort entertainment: 5 beaches lie within 4.1 km and 6 villages and towns within 4.4 km.
Things to do in Kambanion
6 things to do sit within reach of Kambanion, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- See where Zorba the Greek was filmed. Kokkino Chorio, 1.1 km away, was the setting for the 1964 film that did much to put Crete on the tourist map, and it has kept its traditional architecture and narrow roads. The village also holds a collection of wells built for water collection and the caves of Petsi and Katalimata in the ground formations around it.
- Find the wartime shelters on Drapanokefala hill. German forces cut cavernous shelters into Drapanokefala hill by Kokkino Chorio during the Second World War to safeguard Souda Bay. The coastline north-west of the village makes a stroll from the same spot.
- Watch the sunset from Plaka. Plaka stands on a hill 70 m above sea level, 1.1 km from Kampia, with a panoramic view over the bay of Souda. Walks lead out of the village both inland and along the coast, and its tavernas, bars, grocery store and kafeneion make it the nearest place to spend an evening.
- Swim at Almyrida. Almyrida beach, 1.7 km away on the south shore of Souda Bay, is 2 shallow sandy beaches that stay calm enough for children on windless days. A rocky peninsula with a white chapel on it divides the bays, and the uninhabited islet of Karga lies offshore.
- Look for the Karavos rock at Kera. Kera beach, 3 km away under tall cliffs, has soft sand, the occasional pebble and shallow clear water, and no facilities at all. An elongated rock stands in the sea off the west end, and local people call it Karavos, meaning ship.
- Step off the dock at Ombros Gialos. Ombros Gialos, 4.1 km away on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula, is a rocky bay whose small harbour lets swimmers walk straight into deep blue-green water. One fish tavern serves the cove and there are no sunbeds or beach bars.
Diving and canyoning near Kambanion
Diving and canyoning are the 2 specialist activities within reach of Kambanion. Koutalis beach, 2.7 km away and about 1 km north of Kokkino Chorio, is secluded enough that local scuba divers use it as a starting point for the sea caves along this coast, which include the Elephants’ Cave and Petsis Cave.
The canyoning is on Akrotiri Cape, near the village of Chordaki on the way to Seitan Limania beach. The Diplochachalo Gorge is a compact, purely technical canyon of six descents, two of them tall, beginning just beneath the quarry that marks the area. A cave of stalactites and stalagmites about 20 m deep sits at the centre of its tallest waterfall, which drops 38 m, and the exit leads out onto sand.
Beaches near Kambanion
5 beaches lie within 4.1 km of Kambanion, and 3 more sit 7.8 km away.
- Almyrida is 1.7 km away, the organised choice, with a row of tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre behind 2 shallow sandy bays.
- Koutalis lies 2.7 km away, also written Koutalas, a secluded beach near Cape Drepano used by divers.
- Kera sits 3 km away, unorganised sand below cliffs, with a view of Karga island.
- Ombros Gialos is 4.1 km away, rock rather than sand, near the villages of Kefalas and Paleloni.
- Kalives is also 4.1 km away, 2 well-equipped sandy beaches either side of the Xidas river, named Xidas and Maistrali, shallow and open to the northern winds. River water and sea springs keep the sea here cooler than elsewhere.
- Loutraki and Marathi both lie 7.8 km away, the furthest 2 of the set.
Where to eat near Kambanion
Eating near Kambanion means the tavernas, restaurants and bars of Plaka and Almyrida, the closest 1.1 km from the village and the furthest under 2 km.
- Una Faccia Una Razza is 1.1 km away.
- Emerald Restaurant stands 1.6 km away.
- Almyvita is 1.9 km away.
- Pizza Pasta is also 1.9 km away.
Getting to Kambanion
Kambanion is reached through the Apokoronas villages east of Souda Bay. Plaka and Kokkino Chorio both stand 1.1 km from it, Almyrida 1.7 km, Gavalohori 2.4 km, and Kefalas and Kalyves 4.4 km.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport and Chania the nearest city, both west of the village. A car is the practical way to use the area, because the beaches, the caves and the villages are spread across the peninsula.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kambanion in Crete?
Kambanion lies in the Apokoronas area of the Chania region, 1.1 km from Plaka and 1.1 km from Kokkino Chorio, on the peninsula that closes Souda Bay on its eastern side. The village name is also written Kampia.
What is there to do in Kambanion?
The things to do around Kambanion are the Zorba the Greek village at Kokkino Chorio, the Souda Bay view from Plaka, 5 beaches and a technical canyon. All of the beaches and villages sit within 4.4 km, and the canyon is on Akrotiri Cape.
Where was Zorba the Greek filmed near Kambanion?
Zorba the Greek was filmed at Kokkino Chorio, 1.1 km from Kambanion. The village has kept the traditional architecture and narrow roads it was filmed in.
Are there caves near Kambanion?
The caves near Kambanion are Petsi and Katalimata at Kokkino Chorio, and the Elephants’ Cave and Petsis Cave on the coast by Koutalis. The sea caves are reached by divers from Koutalis beach, 2.7 km from the village.
Which beach near Kambanion suits children?
Almyrida, 1.7 km away, is the beach that suits children. Its 2 bays are shallow and sandy and stay calm on windless days, and sunbeds, tavernas and a watersports centre back the sand.
How far is Kambanion from Chania?
Kambanion sits roughly 20 to 25 km east of Chania. Kera beach, 3 km from the village, is about 20 km east of the city by road, and Koutalis beach, 2.7 km away, about 25 km.
Where Kampia is
Best things to do in Kampia in 2024 is located at Kampia. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
