Best things to do in Sellia in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Sellia is a village in the Chania region of north-west Crete, set back from the coast 4.2 km from the seaside town of Georgioupolis and 1.9 km from the hilltop village of Kefalas. Georgioupolis, the nearest town, lies 21 km west of Rethymno and 38 km east of Chania on the north coast, which puts Sellia roughly midway between the two cities. Kefalas, the nearest village, belongs to the Apokoronas area and stands on the slopes of the Drapanos peninsula.
Chania airport is the nearest airport to Sellia. The village suits people who want a quiet base a short drive from the water: 5 beaches lie within 7 km, tavernas open within a kilometre of the centre, and the churches and viewpoints of the surrounding villages fill an afternoon without a long journey.
Things to do in and around Sellia
Six outings sit within easy reach of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Walk around Kefalas. The hilltop village 1.9 km away looks out over the Bay of Georgioupolis, the Lefka Ori and, on a clear day, Rethymno. Kefalas has quiet lanes and a cluster of churches that gave the village its nickname, and no beach of its own.
- Swim at Kalivaki. The sandy beach 3.6 km from Sellia stands 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 noticeably cool, so it works for children on days when the open beaches are choppy.
- Dive in at Ombros Gialos. The rocky bay 3.8 km away sits on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula, near Kefalas and Paleloni. A small harbour dock at Ombros Gialos lets swimmers step straight into deep blue-green water, and the cove has one well-known fish tavern instead of sunbeds.
- See the church of Agios Nikolaos. The church stands 3.9 km from Sellia beside the port of Georgioupolis, east of Kalivaki beach. Agios Nikolaos pairs with a walk round the port and the town beach.
- Spend a day on Georgioupolis beach. The town beach 4.2 km away runs 2 km east from the Almyros river to Kavros, forming the western end of a 10 km stretch of sand. Georgioupolis beach is sandy and dune-backed with shallow water, lifeguards, umbrellas, showers and food stalls, though currents need care on windy days.
- Hike the Petres Gorge. The gorge opens at Petres beach, 13 km west of Rethymno, and carries the longest river in Rethymno province, fed by tributaries running from the Kollita Gorges in the west to Mount Vrysinas in the east. The narrow section of Petres is about 1 km long and starts near the village of Karoti, and ponds along the course are deep enough to swim in.
Beaches near Sellia
Sellia has no beach of its own, because the village sits back from the shore. Five beaches lie within 7 km, split between Georgioupolis bay to one side and the Drapanos peninsula to the other.
- Kalivaki lies 3.6 km away, the westernmost beach of Georgioupolis bay, sheltered and shallow at the Almyros river mouth.
- Ombros Gialos sits 3.8 km away, a rocky unorganised cove with deep water off a harbour dock.
- Georgioupolis is 4.2 km away, 2 km of maintained sand with dunes, lifeguards and shallow water.
- Kavros follows 7 km away, between Georgioupoli and Pyrgos, a sandy stretch with clear shallow water that is open to the wind and often has waves. Restaurants, cafés and bars line part of it, and other parts stay unorganised.
- Almyrida stands 7 km away on the south shore of Souda Bay, 2 shallow sandy bays with sunbeds, tavernas and a watersports centre.
Where to eat near Sellia
Eating around Sellia means village tavernas and cafés rather than a restaurant strip. The nearest is under a kilometre from the centre, and the rest are spread through the settlements within about 4 km.
- Library Tavern is 800 m from the village.
- Ortaki Tavern stands 1.8 km out.
- The Square Mezedopolio sits 1.9 km out, at Kefalas.
- Cafe-Restaurant Exopolis lies 2.4 km out.
- Kalivaki Tavern is 3.6 km out, by Kalivaki beach.
Getting to Sellia
Sellia sits inland from the north coast, so most arrivals come up from the shore at Georgioupolis. The town of Georgioupolis lies 4.2 km away in the bay of Almiros, 21 km from Rethymno and 38 km from Chania, and it carries a range of accommodation and the facilities of a summer resort.
Chania airport is the nearest airport to the village. Kefalas sits 1.9 km away, Gavalohori 4.2 km, Kokkino Chorio 6.6 km and Plaka 6.9 km, so a car puts the villages of the Drapanos peninsula within a few kilometres in every direction.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sellia in Crete?
Sellia lies in the Chania region of north-west Crete, 4.2 km from Georgioupolis and 1.9 km from Kefalas. The village sits back from the coast, close to the Apokoronas villages on the Drapanos peninsula, with Rethymno to the east and Chania to the west.
Does Sellia have a beach?
Sellia has no beach of its own, but 5 lie within 7 km. Kalivaki, 3.6 km away at the mouth of the Almyros river, is the closest of them.
Which airport is closest to Sellia?
Chania airport is the closest airport to Sellia. The village lies between Chania and Rethymno, so arrivals into either city reach it along the north coast.
Which beach near Sellia suits children?
Kalivaki, 3.6 km from Sellia, is the sheltered choice for children. The river mouth keeps the wind off and the water shallow, though it also makes the sea noticeably cool. Georgioupolis beach, 4.2 km away, is child-friendly too and has lifeguards on duty.
What is there to do around Sellia?
The outings around Sellia are swimming, village walks and one gorge. Kefalas and its churches sit 1.9 km away, the beaches of Georgioupolis bay 3.6 km to 4.2 km away, the diving cove of Ombros Gialos 3.8 km away, and the Petres Gorge opens at Petres beach west of Rethymno.
How far is Sellia from Georgioupolis?
Georgioupolis is 4.2 km from Sellia. The town stands in the bay of Almiros at the western end of a 10 km run of beach, and it holds the port, the church of Agios Nikolaos and a choice of hotels and rooms.
Where Sellia is
Best things to do in Sellia in 2024 is located at Sellía. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
