Best things to do in Likotinarea in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Likotinarea is an inland village in the Chania region of Crete, set south-east of Chania town and west of Rethymno, 3.6 km back from the coast at Georgioupolis. Likotinarea sits 2.1 km from Kefalas, which stands on the slopes of the Drapanos peninsula above the Bay of Georgioupolis. The village itself is a quiet settlement with a taverna 200 m from its centre and no seafront.
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport. Likotinarea works as a base just off the Georgioupolis coast: 3 beaches lie within 4 km, 8 within 10 km, and the resort town of Georgioupolis, 3.6 km away, is about 35 km from Chania and 20 km from Rethymno.
Things to do in and around Likotinarea
Six outings lie within about 4 km of the village, listed here from nearest to furthest.
- Eat in the village. Library Tavern stands 200 m from the centre of Likotinarea, the one place here you reach on foot.
- Walk over to Kefalas. The hilltop village 2.1 km away looks out over the Bay of Georgioupolis, the Lefka Ori and, on a clear day, Rethymno. Kefalas has no beach of its own, and people come for the quiet lanes, the views and the cluster of churches that gives the village its nickname.
- Swim at Kalivaki. The beach 3 km away lies at the mouth of the Almyros river, at the western edge of Georgioupolis bay. Kalivaki stays sheltered from the wind and its shallow water runs cool, which suits children on days when the open beaches are stirred up.
- See the church of Agios Nikolaos. The church stands 3.3 km away by the Georgioupolis port, east of Kalivaki beach.
- Spend a day on Georgioupolis beach. The sand runs 2 km east from the Almyros river to Kavros, 3.6 km from the village. Georgioupolis has dunes, shallow water, lifeguards on duty and food and drink stalls.
- Swim off the dock at Ombros Gialos. The rocky bay 3.8 km away sits on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula, near Kefalas and Paleloni. Ombros Gialos centres on a small harbour whose dock lets swimmers step straight into deep water, and it has one fish tavern and no sunbeds.
About the village and its setting
Likotinarea is a small village in the Chania region, and its setting is the country behind the Bay of Georgioupolis rather than the shore. The village keeps one taverna 200 m from its centre, and 11 further listings (tavernas, cafés, a church and rooms) stand within 3.4 km in the settlements around. The nearest sand is 3 km off at Kalivaki.
The settlements closest to Likotinarea set the tone of the area. Kefalas, 2.1 km away, is a traditional hilltop village in the Apokoronas area of the Chania region, on the slopes of the Drapanos peninsula. Georgioupolis, 3.6 km away, is a coastal village in the bay of Almiros, green and well supplied with rooms, which fills with visitors through the summer. Gavalochori lies 4.9 km away, Kokkino Chorio 7.1 km, Plaka 7.5 km and Almirida 7.6 km.
Beaches in and around Likotinarea
Likotinarea has no beach of its own, and the 3 nearest lie within 4 km. They split between the sandy bay at Georgioupolis and the rocky east side of the Drapanokefala peninsula.
- Kalivaki lies 3 km away, the westernmost beach of Georgioupolis bay, at the mouth of the Almyros river and west of the port and the church of Agios Nikolaos. The sand stays sheltered from the wind and the shallow water runs noticeably cool.
- Georgioupolis sits 3.6 km away, at the western edge of a 10 km run of sand. The town beach spans 2 km east from the Almyros river to Kavros, with dunes, shallow water, lifeguards, umbrellas and showers. Sea currents make windy days worth care.
- Ombros Gialos is 3.8 km away, a small rocky bay with deep blue-green water and a harbour dock to swim from. It is unorganised, has a single fish tavern, and suits people who want quiet over beach bars.
- Kavros lies 6.3 km away, a wide sandy beach 4 km east of Georgioupoli with clear, shallow water, open to the wind. Restaurants and cafés serve part of it, and other parts stay unorganised.
- Almyrida sits 7.6 km away, 2 shallow sandy beaches on the south shore of Souda Bay near Cape Drapanos, calm enough for children on windless days. A rocky peninsula topped with a white chapel separates the two bays, and the uninhabited islet of Karga lies offshore.
Three more lie between 8 km and 10 km out. Koutalis and Kera are both 8.4 km from the village, and the beaches at Kalives follow at 9.4 km.
Where to eat in Likotinarea
Eating around Likotinarea means village tavernas and mezedopolia rather than a resort strip. One stands in the village and the rest within 3 km of it.
- Library Tavern is in Likotinarea itself, 200 m from the centre.
- The Square Mezedopolio lies 2.1 km out.
- Ortaki Tavern sits 2.1 km out.
- Estiatorio Profilio is 2.3 km out.
- Kalivaki Tavern stands 3 km out, the same distance as Kalivaki beach.
Getting to Likotinarea
Likotinarea is reached by road from the Georgioupolis coast, 3.6 km away. Chania town lies north-west of the village and Rethymno east, and Georgioupolis sits about 35 km from the first and 20 km from the second. Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport.
A car helps here, though less than in most inland villages, since the coast is only 3 km off. The gorges are the exception: Petres is 11.6 km away and Diktamos 14.7 km.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Likotinarea in Crete?
Likotinarea lies inland in the Chania region of Crete, south-east of Chania town and west of Rethymno. The village sits 3.6 km from the coast at Georgioupolis and 2.1 km from Kefalas.
Does Likotinarea have a beach?
Likotinarea has no beach of its own, but 3 lie within 4 km and 8 within 10 km. Kalivaki, 3 km away at the mouth of the Almyros river, is the closest.
Which beach near Likotinarea suits children?
Kalivaki and Georgioupolis are the two family beaches within 4 km. Kalivaki is sheltered from the wind with shallow, cool water, and Georgioupolis has shallow water and lifeguards on duty.
Which airport is nearest to Likotinarea?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Likotinarea. The village belongs to the Chania region, so the transfer stays within western Crete.
What is there to do near Likotinarea?
Five outings sit within 4 km: Kefalas at 2.1 km, Kalivaki beach at 3 km, the church of Agios Nikolaos at 3.3 km, Georgioupolis beach at 3.6 km and Ombros Gialos at 3.8 km. Gavalochori, Kokkino Chorio, Plaka and Almirida add four more village centres between 4.9 km and 7.6 km out.
Where Likotinarea is
Best things to do in Likotinarea in 2024 is located at Likotinaréa. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
