Best things to do in Xamoudochori in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Xamoudochori is a village in the Chania region of western Crete, about 14 km west of Chania city and 1.8 km from the nearest beach at Maleme. The village sits just behind the coastal strip that runs west from Chania, with Gerani 1.4 km away and the resort of Platanias 4.5 km further along the shore. Xamoudochori has no seafront of its own, and its restaurants, cafés and rooms cluster within 1.6 km of the centre.
Chania airport lies 26.3 km from the village, and Kissamos is 18.6 km away. Xamoudochori works as a quiet base for the beaches west of Chania: 5 of them sit within 6.1 km, and the gorges of the Kolymbari hinterland start about 12 km inland.
Things to do in and around Xamoudochori
Six outings sit within about 13 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Walk down to Gerani. The neighbouring village 1.4 km away splits in two, with Kato Gerani along the beach and older Palaio Gerani inland, and Gerani village is less developed for tourism than Platanias.
- Swim at Maleme, where the sandy beach 1.8 km away has its amenities close to the sand, and the west end of Maleme beach, next to the old military airport, stays quieter than the rest.
- Spend a morning at Gerani beach. Sand and fine pebbles run for a long stretch 2.3 km from the village, and the unorganised sections of Gerani beach stay peaceful even in high summer.
- Follow the Tavronitis river to the sea. The pebbly beach 3.8 km away takes its name from the river beside it and lies on the western side of the historic Maleme airport, where fighting against the German forces took place in 1941. Tavronitis beach swims well in calm weather.
- Spend an evening in Platanias. The resort 4.5 km away has bars, restaurants and shops that stay open late, and Platanias fronts one of the longest beaches on Crete, a sandy run of about 7 km.
- Hike the Roka gorge. The 2 km walk from Deliana to Roka starts 12.1 km from Xamoudochori and usually takes two hours. Plane trees shade the Roka gorge, and Trouli hill at Roka carries the remains of a Byzantine fortress.
About the village and its setting
Xamoudochori is a small inland settlement in the Chania region, set back from the beaches rather than built along them. The village belongs to the run of communities between Chania and Kolymbari, with Gerani and Maleme as its neighbours on either side.
The character of this coast changes quickly with distance from the sea. Neighbouring Gerani shows the pattern: its coastal half holds the hotels and rented apartments while the older half sits inland, and accommodation here ranges from large hotels to family-run rooms and studios.
Beaches near Xamoudochori
Five beaches lie between 1.8 km and 6.1 km from the village, all on the same shoreline that runs from Kolimbari towards Chania.
- Maleme lies 1.8 km away, sandy and well developed, exposed to the frequent northerly winds like the rest of this bay. The name is thought to come from “Malama”, meaning gold.
- Gerani runs 2.3 km away, long, wide and calm, with sand that is a protected nesting ground for Caretta caretta turtles from May to September.
- Tavronitis sits 3.8 km away, pebbly and long, 1 km north of Tavronitis village, with hotels, tavernas and restaurants nearby.
- Platanias stands 3.9 km away, an organised Blue Flag sandy beach about 2 km long, with beach bars and water sports and a view out to the islet of Thodorou.
- Rapaniana begins 6.1 km away, a calm mix of sand and pebbles 4 km east of Kolymvari that stays uncrowded in summer.
Gorges near Xamoudochori
Three walkable gorges start between 12 km and 14 km inland from the village, so each one takes a drive away from the coast.
- Roka gorge begins 12.1 km away, a 2 km route from Deliana to Roka that takes about two hours and follows the dry riverbed in summer. When water is flowing, the narrow sections are hard to pass without getting wet.
- Boriana gorge lies 13.6 km away, also called the Karanou gorge, running 1,800 m from Karanou village to the Mavropiliotis river past a ruined watermill, caves, a charcoal furnace, tunnels and the old Averof iron ore quarries.
- Kydoni gorge sits 13.7 km away, running parallel to Boriana, which is why walkers often do the two in one outing.
Where to eat in Xamoudochori
Eating options sit within 1.6 km of the village, and they cover restaurants, a seaside bar, a traditional kafeneion and a pizza place.
- Menta Seaside Bar and Restaurant stands 1.1 km away, on the shore.
- Thymari Restaurant sits 1.1 km from the village.
- Eanthia Restaurant lies 1.2 km away and shares its name with the Eanthia Beach Resort.
- Traditional Kafeneion Ta Dermitzakia is an old-style Cretan café 1.5 km out.
- La Plaza Pizza is 1.6 km from the centre.
Getting to Xamoudochori
Xamoudochori is reached from the two roads that cross this coastal plain west of Chania, the Old National Road along the shore and the newer national road behind it. Chania city lies about 14 km east, Kissamos 18.6 km away and Rethymno 58.8 km further on, so the village sits within reach of most of western Crete.
Chania airport is 26.3 km from the village, which keeps the transfer short at either end of a trip. Frequent buses run from Chania city to Platanias, 4.5 km away, though a car makes the gorges inland much easier to reach.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Xamoudochori in Crete?
Xamoudochori lies about 14 km west of Chania city, in the Chania region of western Crete, just inland from the coast between Gerani and Maleme.
Does Xamoudochori have a beach?
Xamoudochori has no beach of its own, but 5 lie within 6.1 km. Maleme is the closest at 1.8 km, and Gerani, 2.3 km away, is one of the widest and calmest beaches near Chania.
How far is Xamoudochori from Chania airport?
Chania airport sits 26.3 km from Xamoudochori, which keeps the transfer short at either end of a trip.
Can you walk a gorge from Xamoudochori?
The nearest gorge walk starts 12.1 km inland, at the Roka gorge. The route runs 2 km between the villages of Deliana and Roka and takes about two hours, with plane trees shading most of it.
Is Xamoudochori a quiet place to stay?
Xamoudochori is quieter than the resorts on the coast beside it. Platanias, 4.5 km away, keeps the late-opening bars and restaurants on this stretch of coast.
Where Xamoudochori is
Best things to do in Xamoudochori in 2024 is located at Xamoudochori, Crete, Greece. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
