Best things to do in Kondomari in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Kondomari is a village in the Chania region of western Crete, 2 km from Gerani and west of Chania city. The village stands back from the shore, with the nearest sand at Maleme 2.5 km away and the long bay that runs from Kolimbari towards Chania spread out below it. Our page on Gerani puts that neighbouring village 14 km west of Chania, which places Kondomari in the belt of settlements behind the Platanias coast.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Kondomari. Kondomari is a place to stay rather than a resort, within a few kilometres of 5 beaches, the Platanias strip and the old Maleme airfield.
Things to do in and around Kondomari
Six outings sit within reach of Kondomari, listed here from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Maleme. Maleme beach is 2.5 km from the village, sandy, and backed by shops and services; the west end, beside the old military airport, is the quieter half.
- Watch for turtles at Gerani. Gerani beach, 3 km away, is a protected nesting ground for Caretta caretta from May to September, and it is one of the widest and calmest beaches near the city.
- See the old Maleme airfield. The airfield lies behind Tavronitis beach, 4.3 km from Kondomari, and was the scene of significant resistance against the German forces in 1941.
- Spend an evening in Platanias. Platanias is 4.8 km away and is the busy end of this coast, with bars and restaurants open late and shops selling clothing, artwork and ceramics.
- Hike the Roka Gorge. Roka is 11.5 km out and runs 2 km from Deliana to the village of Roka, a two-hour walk under plane trees between tall vertical walls; Trouli hill above it carries the remains of a Byzantine fortress.
- Follow the Karanou Gorge. The Boriano canyon, 12.7 km away, runs 1,800 m from the Boriana neighbourhood of Karanou village to the Mavropiliotis river, past a ruined watermill, caves, a charcoal furnace and the tunnels of the old Averof iron ore quarries.
About Kondomari and its setting
Kondomari belongs to the run of villages between the Chania coast road and the hills behind it. The closest of them is Gerani, 2 km away, which splits into Kato Gerani along the beach and Palaio Gerani further inland, has a small river running through it, and is reachable from both the old national road and the new one. Gerani is less developed for tourism than Platanias and keeps large hotels alongside family-run rooms and studios.
The coast below the village is one continuous shoreline rather than a series of separate bays. It runs from Kolimbari in the west to Stalos and Chania in the east, so Maleme, Gerani, Tavronitis and Platanias are sections of one beach.
Walking country starts once the land rises. The Karanou gorge runs parallel to the Kydoni gorge and the two are often walked in one outing, while Roka sits in the Kolymbari region, which our page places 32 km west of Chania.
Beaches in and around Kondomari
Kondomari has no beach of its own, because the village sits inland; 5 beaches lie within 7 km, all of them on the same open bay. The sand and pebble alternate along the shore, and every stretch faces north into the prevailing wind.
- Maleme lies 2.5 km away and is the nearest to the village, a sandy stretch of the long Kolimbari to Chania bay with full amenities near the sand. The name is thought to come from Malama, meaning gold, which has been taken as a hint that a gold mine once stood here.
- Gerani follows 3 km away, a long, quiet run of sand and fine pebble between Maleme and Platanias. Sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and beach bars cover part of its length, while long unorganised stretches stay peaceful even in high summer.
- Tavronitis sits 4.3 km away on the western side of the historic Maleme airport, a kilometre north of Tavronitis village and named after the river that flows nearby. The beach is long and pebbly, with hotels, tavernas and restaurants close at hand.
- Platanias stretches 4.4 km away, an organised Blue Flag sandy beach about 2 km long that starts at the edge of Agia Marina. The old village on the hillside behind looks out over the sea and the islet of Thodorou.
- Rapaniana opens 6.3 km away, a calm mixed sand-and-pebble bay 4 km east of Kolymvari that stays uncrowded because it forms part of the open shoreline running down from the Rodopos Peninsula.
Where to eat in Kondomari
Eating around Kondomari means a short drive towards the coast, where the tavernas and cafés of the beach strip sit about 2 km from the village.
- Traditional Kafeneion Ta Dermitzakia stands 1.6 km from the village.
- My Cafe sits 1.9 km out.
- Menta Seaside Bar and Restaurant is 2 km out, on the shore.
- Thymari Restaurant lies at the same distance, 2 km out.
- Eanthia Restaurant follows at 2.1 km out.
Getting to Kondomari
Kondomari is reached from the coast road west of Chania, turning inland near Gerani or Maleme. Both the old national road and the new one serve Gerani, 2 km from the village, so either route works depending on which direction you come from.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport. Platanias, 4.8 km away, has frequent buses from Chania city, which makes it the easiest point on this coast to reach without a car; everything else described here needs one.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kondomari in Crete?
Kondomari is a village in the Chania region of western Crete, 2 km from Gerani and west of Chania city. It sits inland of the Platanias and Maleme coast.
Does Kondomari have a beach?
No, Kondomari is inland, but 5 beaches lie within 7 km. Maleme is the closest at 2.5 km, and Gerani, Tavronitis, Platanias and Rapaniana follow between 3 km and 6.3 km out.
Which beach near Kondomari is quietest?
Gerani and Rapaniana stay the quietest of the beaches near Kondomari. Gerani keeps long unorganised stretches that remain peaceful in high summer, and Rapaniana is an open shoreline rather than an organised resort beach.
Can you walk a gorge from Kondomari?
The 2 nearest gorges are Roka at 11.5 km and Karanou at 12.7 km. Roka takes about two hours over 2 km between Deliana and Roka village, and Karanou runs 1,800 m past a ruined watermill, caves and old quarry tunnels.
Which airport serves Kondomari?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Kondomari. The village lies west of Chania city, in the same region.
Where Kondomari is
Best things to do in Kondomari in 2024 is located at Kondomari. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
