Best things to do in Vamos town in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Vamos is an inland village in the Apokoronas area of the Chania region, about 20 km east of Chania town. Vamos gives its name to the municipality that covers the surrounding villages, Gavalochori among them. The village sits back from the coast on the neck of the Drapanos peninsula, so the beaches of Souda Bay lie a short drive north and the Georgioupolis shore a similar distance east. Olive groves and open countryside fill the ground in between.
Chania airport is the nearest airport to the village, about 15 km away. Rethymno lies 26 km east. The village works as a base for the Apokoronas villages and the coves around the peninsula rather than as a resort in its own right.
Things to do in and around Vamos
Six outings lie within about 10 km of the village, listed here from nearest to furthest.
- Find Blumosifi’s Well. The old well stands 400 m from the centre, close enough to reach on foot from anywhere in Vamos. It has its own page on this site.
- Walk round Gavalochori. The village 2.4 km away carries Venetian stone arches, churches, an olive oil factory and Roman tombs, and it takes its name from the Gavalas family who lived there under Venetian rule. A complex 1 km outside Gavalochori holds 24 Venetian wells among trees with twisted branches, and the folklore museum sits 2.3 km from Vamos.
- Climb to Kefalas. The hilltop village 4.1 km away stands on the slopes of the Drapanos peninsula and looks over the Bay of Georgioupolis, the Lefka Ori and, on a clear day, Rethymno. A cluster of churches gives Kefalas its nickname, and the village has no beach of its own.
- Swim at Almyrida. The two shallow sandy bays 4.9 km away stay calm enough for children on windless days, with tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre behind them. A rocky peninsula topped by a white chapel divides the bays at Almyrida, and the uninhabited islet of Karga lies offshore.
- Dive at Ombros Gialos. The rocky bay 5.7 km east on the Drapanokefala peninsula centres on a small harbour whose dock drops straight into deep, clear water. One fish tavern serves Ombros Gialos, and there are no sunbeds or beach bars.
- Hike the Diktamos Gorge. The canyon begins near Katochori at 300 m and ends 8 km east at Faragi, 40 m above sea level near Stylos, with the trailhead 10.1 km from Vamos. Allow about 3 hours, because parts of Diktamos need care.
Beaches in and around Vamos
Beaches in and around Vamos all sit on the coast, because the village itself is inland and has no shore of its own. Five lie between 4.9 km and 7 km away, on three separate pieces of coastline. The south shore of Souda Bay holds the sandy, shallow beaches north of the village, the east coast of the Drapanos peninsula holds the rocky coves, and Georgioupolis bay lies east.
- Almyrida lies 4.9 km away on the south shore of Souda Bay near Cape Drapanos, 2 shallow sandy beaches with tavernas, sunbeds and watersports behind them.
- Kera sits 5 km away below tall cliffs, soft sand with occasional pebble and shallow clear water, unorganised and quieter, looking out to Karga island and the long rock the locals call Karavos, meaning ship.
- Kalives is 5.6 km away, where the Xidas and Mesopotamos rivers reach the sea; the beaches of Xidas and Maistrali are sandy, shallow and well equipped, and springs keep the water cooler than elsewhere.
- Ombros Gialos follows 5.7 km east, a rocky unorganised cove with deep blue-green water, a harbour dock to swim from and one fish tavern.
- Kalivaki closes the list 7 km east at the mouth of the Almyros river, the westernmost beach of Georgioupolis bay, sheltered from the wind and shallow, with noticeably cool water.
Where to eat in Vamos
Eating in Vamos starts with a kafenio in the village itself and widens into tavernas and restaurants in the neighbouring settlements within 3 km.
- Gaidaros Cooperative Cafe is a cooperative kafenio 100 m from the centre.
- Maroubas stands 300 m from the centre.
- Parasia Tavern does taverna cooking 1.3 km out.
- Heliostasi serves traditional dishes 2.6 km out.
- Douliana Kafenion is a village kafenio 2.7 km out.
Getting to Vamos
Turn inland off the north-coast road to reach Vamos, which sits away from the sea in the middle of the Apokoronas. Chania lies about 20 km west and Rethymno 26 km east, so the village falls between the two cities and works for day trips either way. Kissamos is 50 km away.
Chania airport is about 15 km from the village. A car helps here, because the beaches, the gorge and the hill villages all sit 2 km to 10 km out on minor roads. The nearest of them, Gavalochori, is 2.4 km away and close enough to walk or cycle to.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Vamos in Crete?
Vamos lies inland in north-west Crete, about 20 km east of Chania town and 26 km west of Rethymno. The village belongs to the Apokoronas area of the Chania region and gives its name to the local municipality.
Does Vamos have a beach?
Vamos is an inland village with no beach of its own, but 5 lie within 7 km. Almyrida, 4.9 km away, is the closest organised option, and its two shallow sandy bays suit children on windless days.
How far is Vamos from Chania airport?
Chania airport sits about 15 km from Vamos and is the nearest airport to the village. Chania town itself is about 20 km west.
Which gorge can you walk from Vamos?
Diktamos Gorge is the closest walk, with its start 10.1 km from the village. The canyon drops from 300 m near Katochori to 40 m at Faragi over 8 km, takes around 3 hours, and its stream feeds the Kiliaris river, which reaches the sea at Kalives beach. Petres Gorge, 16.1 km away, is the next nearest and has ponds along its course that people swim in.
What is Vamos known for?
Vamos is known as the centre of its municipality and for the preserved Apokoronas villages around it. Gavalochori, 2.4 km away, keeps Venetian stone arches, Roman tombs and a complex of 24 Venetian wells, and Kefalas, 4.1 km away, is known for its churches and its views over the Bay of Georgioupolis.
Where Vamos town is
Best things to do in Vamos town in 2024 is located at Vamos town. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
