Best things to do in Kares in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Kares is an inland village in the Chania region of Crete, set in the northern foothills of the White Mountains above the south shore of Souda Bay. Kares keeps its distance from everything: the nearest taverna is 4.7 km away, the nearest gorge mouth 5.9 km, and no beach or neighbouring town sits inside 10 km. The village lies roughly midway between Theriso, 15 to 16 km south of Chania, and Kalyves, about 20 km east of the city on Souda Bay.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport, and Chania city is the nearest major town. Kares is for people who want the mountain side of the Chania region rather than the coastal one: 4 gorges lie within 12 km, and the Souda Bay beaches are a drive rather than a walk.
Things to do in and around Kares
Five outings sit within reach of Kares, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Hike the Diktamos Gorge. The canyon begins 5.9 km from Kares near Katochori at 300 m and ends 8 km further east at Faragi village at 40 m, close to Stylos in the Apokoronas province, which is why it also goes by Katochori Gorge and Stylos Gorge. Its stream is the main tributary of the Kiliaris river and reaches the sea at Kalives beach; the Diktamos route takes about 3 hours and has sections that need care.
- Walk the Cyclamen Gorge. Also known as Agios Georgios Gorge or Gorge Vandes, it starts 9.9 km from Kares at the Aletrouvari settlement at 300 m and ends at Vandes at 50 m. Its stream draws water from Drakona and pools along the way, and the Cyclamen route takes about 2 hours from Aletrouvari or 1 hour from Agios Georgios, so it suits walkers with some experience.
- Drive up to Theriso. The mountain village at the foot of the Lefka Mountains is reached by one memorable route, a winding 6 km climb through the Theriso Gorge on a narrow but fully asphalted road. Tavernas and coffeehouses sit under tall plane trees in Theriso, which was the birthplace of Eleftherios Venizelos’s mother and the launch point of his 1905 revolution.
- Spend a day at Kalyves. The seaside village on Souda Bay, about 20 km east of Chania, keeps old stone houses with red-tiled roofs and a water mill on its square that is one of the oldest in the area. The Xydas river splits Kalyves into an older west quarter and a newer east one, and forms a Blue Flag beach where it meets the sea.
- Swim at Kalami. The village 15 km east of Chania looks out over Souda Bay and the Souda fort, with the ancient city of Aptera and the Turkish forts of Intzedin and Aptera close by. Kalami beach lies 500 m north of the village.
About the village and its setting
Kares is a small upland village with no resort function and no coastline, and what defines it is how far it sits from everything else. Nothing we publish falls inside 4.7 km of the village, and the first beach is more than 10 km off.
The country around Kares is the northern slope of the White Mountains, cut by the ravines that drain it towards Souda Bay. The Diktamos stream collects off the northern flank of the Mavri peak and runs out at Kalives beach, the Cyclamen gorge gathers its water at Drakona, and the Tromarissa Gorge at Zourva cuts the same range further west. Below the foothills the land flattens into the Apokoronas villages and the port town of Souda.
Beaches near Kares
Kares has no beach within 10 km, and the nearest three all lie on the south shore of Souda Bay. Each needs a drive down out of the foothills.
- Kalami has rounded pebbles and deep water 500 m north of Kalami village, 15 km east of Chania, with a few umbrellas and tamarisk trees and a small boat harbour. Local people use it more than visitors do.
- Kalives has two sandy beaches called Xidas and Maistrali either side of the Xidas river, both shallow, well equipped and open to northern winds. The rivers and the springs in the sea keep the water here cooler than elsewhere on the bay.
- Kera has soft sand with the occasional pebble below tall cliffs, about 20 km east of Chania, shallow and clear but unorganised. Karga island shows offshore, and an elongated rock at the west end is called Karavos, meaning ship.
Where to eat near Kares
Eating near Kares means driving to the villages below, because the closest taverna stands 4.7 km away. Five mezedopolia and village cafés fall within 5.5 km.
- The Lemonade Stand serves meze cooking, 4.7 km from Kares.
- The Rizitiko sits 4.9 km away, named after the Cretan rizitika songs.
- Despina Coffee Road serves coffee, 5.3 km out.
- The Passage lies 5.4 km from the village.
- Aposperida sits 5.5 km away, the furthest of the close group.
Getting to Kares
Kares is reached on the inland roads that climb from the Souda Bay shore into the White Mountains foothills. Chania is the nearest city and the nearest airport, both on the north coast.
A car is close to essential here. The gorge mouths, the tavernas and the beaches all sit between 4.7 km and 12 km away on hill roads that no bus route strings together.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kares in Crete?
Kares lies in the Chania region of western Crete, inland in the northern foothills of the White Mountains. The village sits above the south shore of Souda Bay, roughly midway between Theriso and Kalyves.
Does Kares have a beach?
Kares has no beach, and none lies within 10 km of the village. Kalami, Kalives and Kera are the nearest three, all on the south shore of Souda Bay and all needing a drive down from the foothills.
Which airport is closest to Kares?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Kares. Chania city is also the nearest major town, on the north coast of the same region.
Can you walk a gorge from Kares?
The Diktamos Gorge starts 5.9 km from Kares. The route runs 8 km from Katochori at 300 m down to Faragi at 40 m, takes about 3 hours and needs care in places, and the Cyclamen Gorge adds a second option 9.9 km away.
Is Kares a good base without a car?
A car makes a real difference at Kares. The nearest taverna is 4.7 km away and the nearest beach more than 10 km, all of it on hill roads between the foothills and Souda Bay.
Where Kares is
Best things to do in Kares in 2024 is located at Karés. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
