Best things to do in Xirosterni in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Xirosterni is a village in the Chania region of Crete, 22 km south-east of Chania and 24 km west of Rethymno. The village sits inland among the villages of the Drapanos peninsula, with Kefalas 2.1 km away and Gavalochori 2.2 km away. 5 beaches lie between 3.8 km and 6.2 km off, on the south shore of Souda Bay and in the bay of Georgioupolis.
Chania airport (CHQ) is 15.4 km away in a straight line. Xirosterni works as a quiet base for the Apokoronas villages, whose tavernas and museums sit within about 4 km, and for two separate stretches of coast.
Things to do in and around Xirosterni
Six outings lie within 7 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Walk up to Kefalas. The hilltop village is 2.1 km away, on the slopes of the Drapanos peninsula. Kefalas looks out over the Bay of Georgioupolis and the Lefka Ori, reaches as far as Rethymno on a clear day, and is known for the cluster of churches that gave it its nickname.
- See the Venetian wells at Gavalochori. The village lies 2.2 km from Xirosterni and takes its name from the Gavalas family, who lived there under Venetian rule. Gavalochori keeps Venetian stone arches, churches, an olive oil factory and Roman tombs, and a complex of 24 Venetian wells stands about 1 km from the village among trees with twisted branches.
- Visit the Gavalochori folklore museum. The museum is 2.2 km from Xirosterni, in the same village as the wells. The folklore museum pairs with a walk round the stone lanes into one short outing.
- Swim at Ombros Gialos. The cove is 3.8 km away on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula, near Kefalas and Paleloni. Ombros Gialos is a rocky, unorganised bay built around a small harbour whose dock drops straight into deep blue-green water, with one well-known fish tavern beside it.
- Spend a day at Almyrida. The resort is 5.1 km from the village on the south shore of Souda Bay. Almyrida is 2 shallow sandy beaches divided by a rocky spur with a white chapel on it, backed by tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre, and the uninhabited islet of Karga lies offshore.
- Take children to Kalivaki. The beach sits 5.6 km away at the western edge of Georgioupolis bay. Kalivaki lies at the mouth of the Almyros river, so it stays sheltered from the wind when the open beaches nearby turn rough, and its shallow water runs noticeably cool.
About Xirosterni and its setting
Xirosterni is one of a tight cluster of inland villages rather than a resort. Kefalas, 2.1 km away, is described as a traditional hilltop village of the Apokoronas area, and Gavalochori, 2.2 km away, belongs to the Vamos municipality in the same area, so Xirosterni sits in the middle of that group. The countryside around these villages is olive grove and open farmland, and the ground falls away north-east towards Souda Bay.
Daily life happens in the neighbouring villages. Cafés, mezedopolia and tavernas stand 2 km to 4 km from Xirosterni, and the beaches need a short drive. Walkers who want a gorge face a longer trip: the Diktamos gorge is 12 km away, drops from 300 m at Katochori to 40 m at Faragi village, and takes about 3 hours with care in places.
Beaches in and around Xirosterni
Xirosterni has no beach of its own, and the 5 nearest lie between 3.8 km and 6.2 km away. Two coasts are in reach: the rocky south shore of Souda Bay, and the long sandy run of Georgioupolis bay.
- Ombros Gialos lies 3.8 km away, a small rocky bay with a harbour dock for stepping into deep clear water, unorganised and quiet, with a fish tavern on the shore.
- Almyrida sits 5.1 km away, 2 shallow sandy bays that stay calm on windless days, with tavernas, sunbeds and watersports, and the village of Plaka about 1 km inland.
- Kalivaki is 5.6 km away, sheltered sand at the mouth of the Almyros river, west of Georgioupolis port and the church of Agios Nikolaos, with cool shallow water.
- Kera stands 5.7 km away, soft sand with occasional pebbles below tall cliffs, shallow and clear, unorganised, looking out to Karga island and the long rock the locals call Karavos, meaning ship.
- Georgioupolis closes the list at 6.2 km, 2 km of sandy, dune-backed beach at the western end of a 10 km shore, child-friendly with lifeguards, umbrellas and showers, though currents call for care on windy days.
Where to eat near Xirosterni
Eating near Xirosterni means the kafeneia, mezedopolia and tavernas of the surrounding villages.
- Gaidaros Cooperative Cafe sits 2 km from the village.
- The Square Mezedopolio serves small plates, 2.1 km away.
- Ortaki Tavern is 2.1 km away.
- Library Tavern stands 2.8 km out.
- Eleonoras Taverna lies 3.3 km out.
Getting to Xirosterni
Leave the north-coast road in the Apokoronas and climb inland to reach Xirosterni. Chania lies 22 km north-west and Rethymno 24 km east, both in a straight line. Chania airport is the closest terminal at 15.4 km on the same measure.
A car matters here, because the beaches sit 4 km to 6 km away down separate roads. The two neighbouring villages of Kefalas and Gavalochori are close enough to walk or cycle to, which covers most of the eating and sightseeing.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Xirosterni in Crete?
Xirosterni lies 22 km south-east of Chania and 24 km west of Rethymno, inland in the Chania region between Kefalas and Gavalochori. Kissamos is 52.3 km west of the village.
Does Xirosterni have a beach?
Xirosterni has no beach of its own, but 5 lie within 6.2 km. Ombros Gialos at 3.8 km is the closest, Almyrida at 5.1 km is the most organised, and Kalivaki at 5.6 km is the calmest for children.
How far is Xirosterni from Chania airport?
Chania airport is 15.4 km from Xirosterni in a straight line. The road runs longer than the map figure.
What is there to do near Xirosterni?
Kefalas and Gavalochori sit about 2 km away and hold the churches, Venetian arches, wells and folklore museum of this corner of Apokoronas. The beaches of Souda Bay and Georgioupolis follow at 3.8 km to 6.2 km.
Can you walk a gorge from Xirosterni?
The nearest gorge is Diktamos, 12 km away. The route drops from Katochori at 300 m to Faragi village at 40 m, takes about 3 hours and needs care in places, and its stream feeds the Kiliaris river that reaches the sea at Kalives beach.
Where Xirosterni is
Best things to do in Xirosterni in 2024 is located at Xirosterni, Crete, Greece. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
