Best things to do in Vafes in 2024: Activities and Attractions

Best Things to do in Vafes from Crete Island
Vafés

Vafes is a village in the Chania region of western Crete, 7.8 km from Gavalochori and south-east of Chania city. The villages, beaches and gorges around it belong to the Apokoronas country between Souda Bay and the White Mountains. An Olive Oil Museum stands in the village itself, and the nearest coast is the bay at Georgioupolis, 7.9 km away.

Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Vafes. The village is a base rather than a resort, with a kafeneio of its own, 5 beaches inside about 10 km and 2 of the harder walking gorges of western Crete beyond them.

Things to do in and around Vafes

Six outings start at or near Vafes, listed here from nearest to furthest.

  1. Visit the Olive Oil Museum. The museum sits in Vafes itself, which makes it the one attraction reachable on foot from the village.
  2. Walk round Gavalochori. The village 7.8 km away takes its name from the Gavalas family, who lived there under Venetian rule. Gavalochori has kept its churches, Venetian stone arches, an olive oil factory and Roman tombs, and a complex 1 km outside it holds 24 Venetian wells.
  3. Swim at Georgioupolis. The resort town lies 7.9 km away in the bay of Almiros, in a green valley crossed by rivers and springs, and its sandy beach comes with full holiday facilities.
  4. Find Kera beach. Kera is 9.9 km out on the southern shore of Souda Bay, below tall cliffs, with soft sand, clear shallow water and a view of Karga island.
  5. Hike the Diktamos Gorge. The Diktamos, also called the Katochori or Stylos gorge, starts near Katochori at 300 m and drops 8 km to Faragi village at 40 m; it takes about 3 hours and needs care in places.
  6. Tackle the Kapni Gorge. The Kapni runs from Hionistra, on the road between Askyfou and Asfendou, down to Nomikiana in Sfakia, takes around 4 hours and has dry waterfalls that must be climbed, so it suits experienced mountaineers only.

About Vafes and its setting

Vafes sits in the inland half of Apokoronas, the stretch of country between the south shore of Souda Bay and the northern slopes of the White Mountains. Olive groves and open farmland run through the district, and the Olive Oil Museum in the village records the crop that shaped it. Gavalochori, 7.8 km away, has an olive oil factory of its own alongside its Roman tombs and Venetian arches.

Water is the other thing that defines this district. The Diktamos gorge collects the runoff from the northern slopes of the Mavri peak and feeds the Kiliaris river, which empties onto Kalives beach, while the Xidas and Mesopotamos rivers reach the sea at the eastern edge of Kalives and cool the water there. Georgioupolis stands in a valley crossed by rivers and springs at the mouth of the Almiros.

The neighbouring settlements each pull a different way. Kefalas, 8.5 km away, is known for its views, churches and tavernas, while Almyrida and Kalives sit on the Souda Bay shore and Georgioupolis faces the open north coast.

Beaches in and around Vafes

Vafes has no beach of its own, because the village stands inland; 5 beaches lie within about 10 km, split between the sheltered south shore of Souda Bay and the open bay at Georgioupolis.

  • Kalivaki lies 7.9 km away at the mouth of the Almyros river, the westernmost beach of Georgioupolis bay, west of the port and the church of Agios Nikolaos. The river keeps the sandy shore sheltered and the shallow water cool, which suits children when the open beaches turn choppy.
  • Georgioupolis sits 8.1 km away, the western end of a 10 km run of coast. The town beach covers 2 km east from the Almiros river to Kavros, with sand, dunes, shallow water, lifeguards, umbrellas and showers; currents make care worthwhile in wind.
  • Kera is 9.9 km away on the southern coastline of Souda Bay near Kalives and Plaka, a soft sandy beach with occasional pebble under high cliffs. It has no facilities of its own, and an elongated rock at its western end is called Karavos, meaning ship, because of its shape.
  • Almyrida stands on the south shore of Souda Bay near Cape Drapanos, 2 shallow sandy bays split by a rocky peninsula topped with a white chapel, with tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre behind them. The uninhabited islet of Karga lies just offshore.
  • Kalives is a resort on the southern edge of Souda Bay whose name means huts, after the shelters farmers once built for summer nights in the fields. The 2 sandy beaches either side of the Xidas river, Xidas and Maistrali, have shallow water and full equipment, and both are open to northern winds.

Where to eat in Vafes

Eating in Vafes begins in the village, where a kafeneio and mezedopolio sits 100 m from the centre, and spreads into the neighbouring villages within about 4 km.

Getting to Vafes

Vafes is reached from the Apokoronas roads that run inland from the north coast, with Georgioupolis 7.9 km away on one side and Kalives and Almyrida on the Souda Bay shore on the other. Gavalochori at 7.8 km and Kefalas at 8.5 km are the nearest villages inland.

Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport, and the village lies south-east of Chania city and west of Rethymno. Everything described here needs a car.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Vafes in Crete?

Vafes is a village in the Chania region of western Crete, 7.8 km from Gavalochori and south-east of Chania city. It stands inland in the Apokoronas country, between Souda Bay and the White Mountains.

Does Vafes have a beach?

No, Vafes is inland, and the nearest beach is Kalivaki at Georgioupolis, 7.9 km away. Kera, Almyrida and Kalives on the south shore of Souda Bay follow within about 10 km.

What is there to see in Vafes?

The Olive Oil Museum stands in Vafes itself. Everything else on this page is a short drive out, starting with the Venetian village of Gavalochori 7.8 km away and its complex of 24 Venetian wells.

Can you walk a gorge from Vafes?

The 2 gorges nearest Vafes are the Diktamos and the Kapni, and both are demanding walks. The Diktamos takes about 3 hours, the Kapni about 4.

Which airport serves Vafes?

Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Vafes. The village lies south-east of Chania city, in the same region.

Where Vafes is

Best things to do in Vafes in 2024 is located at Vafés. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.

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Top activities in Vafes

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From Georgioupolis

Georgioupoli · 8.0 km away

4.8 (315)rated 4.8 out of 5 from 315 reviews

This trip handles the logistics of walking Samaria Gorge from a Georgioupolis base: coach up to…

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From Rethymno

Georgioupoli · 8.0 km away

4.3 (40)rated 4.3 out of 5 from 40 reviews

Embark on a guided hike in the Samariá Gorge on a day trip from Rethymno. Get…

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Lake Kournas

Lake Kournas · 9.9 km away

3.7 (24)rated 3.7 out of 5 from 24 reviews

This trip books you an hour on a pedalo at Lake Kournas and drives you there…

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Rent a Boat Safari Sea Tour

Omprogialos Beach · 10 km away

5.0 (109)rated 5.0 out of 5 from 109 reviews

This safari hands you a small boat to drive yourself, in convoy behind a guide, for…

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Stay in Vafes

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Villa Inati

Νίπος Αποκωρόνου · 1.9 km away

5.0rated 5.0 out of 5

Boasting pool views, Villa Inati offers accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 32…

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Swim in Beaches near Vafes

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Georgioupolis beaches

Georgioupolis beaches · 8.1 km away

Georgioupolis, a small coastal town located 38km east of Chania and 21km west of Rethymnon, is…

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Kera beach

Kera beach · 9.9 km away

Situated approximately 20km east of the city of Chania, Kera beach can be found on the…

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Almyrida beach

Almyrida beach · 10 km away

Almyrida beach sits about 23 km east of Chania, on the south shore of Souda Bay…

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Kavros beach

Kavros beach at Kournas · 11 km away

Located between Georgioupoli and Pyrgos, Kavros refers to the expansive beach situated just 4 km east…

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Kalami beach

Kalami beach · 12 km away

The village of Kalami is situated 15km to the east of Chania city, nestled on the…

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Koutalis beach

Koutalis beach · 13 km away

Koutalis, also known as Koutalas beach, is positioned 25km to the east of the metropolis of…

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Explore Archaeological Sites near Vafes

Stylos Domed Tomb

Stylos Domed Tomb · 11 km away

South of the archaeological site of Aptera and near the village Stylos, at position Azogires, we…

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Fylaki Domed Tomb

Fylaki Domed Tomb · 14 km away

Located near the quaint village of Fylaki in the Apokoronas region of Chania, you’ll discover the…

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Ancient Lappa

Ancient Lappa · 17 km away

Ancient Lappa is a Greek and Roman city site in the hills 27 km south of…

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Nerokouros Minoan Settlement

Nerokouros Minoan Settlement · 18 km away

The Minoan settlement situated near the village of Nerokouros in the suburbs of Chania was unearthed…

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Ancient Anopolis

Ancient Anopolis · 18 km away

Near the fortress and the temple of Saint Cathreen (Agia Ekaterini), overlooking Loutro, traces of walls…

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Ancient Tarra

Ancient Tarra · 24 km away

Tarra, an ancient autonomous city and seaport of Elyros, was located at the site of present-day…

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Visit the Monasteries near Vafes

Holy Cross Foundation, Kalyves

Holy Cross Foundation, Kalyves · 8.6 km away

Located at Tria Kamarakia, near the Rethymnon-Chania highway, the Holy Cross “St. Raphael” Foundation is a…

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Chrysopigi Monastery

Chrysopigi Monastery · 20 km away

The Chrysopigi Monastery can be found 3km south of Chania city. Its temple features Mount Athos…

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Sarakinas Monastery (Megisti Lavra)

Sarakinasmonastery (Megisti Lavra dependency) · 20 km away

The historical monument of Sarakinas Monastery Complex at Mournies, which is a dependency of the Megisti…

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Go hiking to the nearby gorges

All gorges

Diktamos Gorge

Diktamos Gorge · 11 km away

The Diktamos Canyon, nestled within the White Mountains, commences 21km to the east of Chania, near…

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Kapni Gorge

Kapni Gorge · 14 km away

The Kapni Gorge, one of Eastern Sfakia’s most stunning canyons, remains largely undiscovered. The gorge begins…

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Imbros Gorge

Imbros Gorge · 14 km away

Situated in the Sfakia province, Imbros Gorge is Crete’s third most frequented gorge, following Samaria Gorge…

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Sfakiano Gorge

Sfakiano Gorge · 16 km away

The Sfakiano Gorge, also known as Gorge Vartholoma or Gorge Lago, concludes around 2km east of…

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Kallikratis Gorge

Kallikratis Gorge · 17 km away

The Kallikratis Canyon, a relatively small gorge located in the southeast of Lefka Ori (White Mountains)…

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Petres Gorge

Petres Gorge · 17 km away

Situated 13km west of Rethymno, Petres Gorge opens up at the Petres beach. It houses the…

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Cyclamen Gorge

Cyclamen Gorge · 17 km away

The Cyclamen Gorge, also known as Agios Georgios Gorge or Gorge Vandes, is nestled on the…

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Kavis Gorge

Kavis Gorge · 18 km away

The Iligas Gorge, also known as Kavis, begins south of the Kastro peak in the White…

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Dine at the Best Restaurants in Vafes

Dourakis Winery

Alikampos, Apokoronou, CHANIA 730 07, Greece · 2.9 km away

4.6rated 4.6 out of 5

Tucked away in the picturesque village of Alikampos, Dourakis Winery is conveniently located just a short…

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Parasia Tavern

Βάμος 1 Τσικολιανά , καινα προς βαμο, ή Από Ρέθυμνο πάρτε τον δρόμο για Βρύσες και μετά, απο ρεθυμνο φτανετε γεφυρα αγιους παντες και στριψε αριστερα, Βάμο 730 08, Greece · 5.3 km away

4.9rated 4.9 out of 5
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Have a Drink at Bars in Vafes

Dourakis Winery

Alikampos, Apokoronou, CHANIA 730 07, Greece · 2.9 km away

4.6rated 4.6 out of 5

Tucked away in the picturesque village of Alikampos, Dourakis Winery is conveniently located just a short…

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Kohili

Kalyves 730 03, Greece · 10 km away

4.8rated 4.8 out of 5
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Have a Coffee and Breakfast at a Cafes in Vafes

Cafe Michael

Επαρ.Οδ. Αποκορώνου - Χανίων 3, Armeni 730 03, Greece · 7.8 km away

4.8rated 4.8 out of 5
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Museums in Vafes