Best things to do in Rodakino villages in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Rodakino is a traditional Cretan village about 45 km south of Rethymno, set at the mouth of the steep Rodakino canyon that cuts through the Kryoneritis mountain. The gorge splits the settlement in two, which is why the place is usually written in the plural: Ano Rodakino above and Kato Rodakino below, both looking out over the Libyan Sea. Rodakino is one of the largest villages in the southern Rethymno prefecture, and it sits between the resort of Plakias to the west and Frangokastello to the east.
The name means peach in Greek, after a peach tree that managed to grow in the arid climate here, though some people in the village hold that the gorge was first called Rikinthos. Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport, and this stretch of coast is a long way from it: our Agia Marina page, 3.1 km from Rodakino, puts the shore 84 km south of Chania.
Things to do in and around Rodakino villages
Five outings start within 8 km of Rodakino, listed below from nearest to furthest. Walkers have more beyond them, including the Kollita Gorges at Vilandredo 8.3 km away and the castle village of Frangokastello 7.4 km east.
- Explore Ano and Kato Rodakino. The two halves of the village sit either side of the canyon at the foot of the Kryoneritis mountain, and both keep sea views. Rodakino has rooms to let, taverns and supermarkets, and its people still work mainly as farmers, shepherds and fishermen.
- Descend the Sykia Gorge. The easternmost gorge in the province of Sfakia starts 0.6 km north of the village and is a technical canyon, with more than 10 steep descents secured by the speleological groups of Crete and a tallest rappel of about 12 m. The Sykia stream joins the Maglinara and Karavos canyons, runs under the old and new bridges of Rodakino and reaches the sea at Korakas beach.
- Hike the Skaloti Gorge. This 2 km canyon runs from the Manikas plateau down to the coastal village of Skaloti, 3.7 km from Rodakino, and takes about 2.5 hours on an ancient stone-paved path. The Skaloti route opens wide at first and then narrows between vertical walls, and the Perama stream that runs through it empties onto Lakki beach.
- Walk the Kallikratis Gorge. The gorge lies 7.3 km from the village, and our page on the Kallikratis Gorge covers the route.
- Spend a day in Plakias. The beach-resort village 7.4 km west sits where the Kotsifos river meets the sea below the Kouroupa range, about 40 km south of Rethymno. Plakias opens onto a curved sandy beach called Gialia, closed off by the headlands of Cape Kako Mouri and Cape Stavros.
Beaches in and around Rodakino villages
Rodakino has 5 beaches within 3.1 km, strung along the coast below the village. Korakas is the village’s own beach and the only organised one of the group, so the rest need you to bring water, shade and food.
- Klimata lies 1.5 km away, a small bay of three beaches in a row, named for its vines and divided from Korakas by a short rocky cape. Rodakino’s small harbour sits on the west side, reached by a cement path from Korakas, and the far two beaches need a walk through the first.
- Korakas sits 1.6 km away, the main beach of Rodakino and the one place on this shore with any organisation. The Sykia stream reaches the sea here after passing under both village bridges.
- Polirizos is 1.8 km away, fine sand and calm shallow water half a kilometre west of Korakas, ringed by olive groves. Follow the paved coast road west past a sandhill and a few small coves and you reach the tiny Polirizos settlement, which has rooms and taverns.
- Peristeres holds two pebbly coves 2.6 km away, with rocky patches running from the west side of Kastelos hill to Agia Marina. It stays quiet because it is harder to reach than Korakas or Polirizos, has no amenities beyond a few small taverns, and draws nudists and campers who shelter under the large carob trees. Alexis Tsipras, the former Prime Minister of Greece, made it well known among Greeks.
- Agia Marina closes the list at 3.1 km, a mix of sand, fine pebbles and rock that suits spearfishing and snorkelling, 2 km south of Argoules village. Tall carob trees give shade on windless days, nothing is organised, and the approach is the dirt road linking Skaloti village with Polirizos.
Where to eat in Rodakino
Eating in Rodakino means village taverns, and the nearest stands 1.5 km from the centre. Three sit within 4.4 km, and Polirizos and Peristeres add a few more down at the beaches.
- V&C Paradise Restaurant stands 1.5 km from Rodakino.
- Taverna Giannis sits 1.9 km out, also known as The Peach Bar after the village name.
- Kioni Taverna is 4.4 km away.
Getting to Rodakino villages
Rodakino is reached from the south-coast road that runs between Plakias and Frangokastello, 7.4 km either side of the village. The last approach climbs to the canyon, and the beaches sit below on paved and dirt tracks that branch off towards Korakas, Polirizos and Skaloti.
A car matters more here than on the north coast. Rethymno lies about 45 km away, and the tracks down to Klimata, Peristeres and Agia Marina are not surfaced the whole way.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Rodakino in Crete?
Rodakino lies about 45 km south of Rethymno on the south coast of Crete, at the mouth of the Rodakino canyon through the Kryoneritis mountain, between Plakias and Frangokastello.
Why is Rodakino called the Rodakino villages?
The gorge divides Rodakino into two settlements, Ano Rodakino and Kato Rodakino. The village spreads on both sides of the canyon, and each half keeps its own view of the Libyan Sea.
Which beach is closest to Rodakino?
Klimata is the closest beach at 1.5 km, and Korakas at 1.6 km is the village’s main one. Korakas is also the only beach on this shore with any organisation, so the other 4 need food, water and shade brought with you.
Can you walk the Sykia Gorge at Rodakino?
Sykia is a technical canyon, not a walking route. It holds more than 10 steep descents secured by the speleological groups of Crete, with a tallest rappel of about 12 m, so hikers without equipment should take the Skaloti Gorge 3.7 km away instead.
Which airport is closest to Rodakino?
Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Rodakino. The village sits on the far side of the island from it, on the Libyan Sea coast of the Rethymno region.
Where Rodakino villages is
Best things to do in Rodakino villages in 2024 is located at Rodakino villages. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
