Douliana is an inland village in the Apokoronas area of the Chania region, south-east of Chania and a little over 2 km back from the south shore of Souda Bay. Douliana stands in the middle of a tight group of Apokoronas villages, with Gavalochori 1.8 km away and Almyrida 2.4 km away; our pages place Gavalochori 26 km south-east of Chania and Almyrida 23 km east of the city. Almyrida and the shore beyond it lie among olive groves and open countryside near Cape Drapanos.

Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Douliana. The village works as a quiet address rather than a resort: the tavernas and the kafenion sit within 200 m of the centre, 5 beaches lie within 7 km, and the Venetian wells and the wartime shelters both sit inside a 5 km radius.

Things to do in and around Douliana

6 outings sit within 5 km of Douliana, listed below from nearest to furthest.

Sit out at the village kafenion. Douliana Kafenion stands in the centre of the village, reached on foot from any door in it.
Walk over to Gavalochori. Gavalochori, 1.8 km away in the Vamos municipality, takes its name from the Gavalas family who lived there under Venetian rule and has kept its churches, Venetian stone arches, olive oil factory and Roman tombs. A complex about 1 km from that village holds 24 Venetian wells, ringed by unusual trees with twisted branches.
Visit the folklore museum. The Folklore Museum of Gavalochori stands 1.8 km from Douliana, in the same village as the wells.
Swim at Kera. Kera beach lies 2.3 km away below tall cliffs, with soft sand, the occasional pebble and shallow, clear water. It is unorganised, it looks out at Karga island, and a long rock at its western end is called Karavos, meaning ship.
Spend a day at Almyrida. Almyrida, 2.4 km away, is really 2 shallow sandy beaches calm enough for children on windless days, backed by tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre. A small rocky peninsula topped with a white chapel separates the 2 bays.
Drive to Kokkino Chorio. Kokkino Chorio, 4.1 km away, is known for the cave shelters the Germans built into Drapanokefala hill in the Second World War to guard Souda Bay, for its traditional houses and its collection of water wells, and as a filming location for Zorba the Greek.

Beaches near Douliana

5 beaches lie within 7 km of Douliana, all of them on the south shore of Souda Bay or around the Drapanokefala peninsula.

Kera lies 2.3 km away, about 20 km east of Chania near Kalives and Plaka, soft sand set among high cliffs with shallow, crystal-clear water and no organisation on it.
Almyrida sits 2.4 km away, 23 km east of Chania near Cape Drapanos, 2 shallow sandy bays with tavernas, sunbeds and windsurfing, and the uninhabited islet of Karga just offshore.
Kalives is 3 km away, a coastal resort in a green valley whose name means “Huts”, after the rough shelters farmers once put up for summer nights. Two sandy beaches with shallow water, Xidas and Maistrali, sit either side of the Xidas river and are well equipped, though open to the north wind, and the rivers together with the sea’s springs make the water cooler.
Koutalis follows 5.5 km away, also called Koutalas, about 1 km north of Kokkino Chorio near Cape Drepano. It is secluded, and local scuba divers use it as a starting point for the sea caves nearby, in an area known for the Elephants’ Cave and Petsis Cave.
Ombros Gialos closes the list 6.1 km away, a small rocky bay on the east coast of the Drapanokefala peninsula near Kefalas and Paleloni. Its little harbour dock drops straight into deep blue-green water, and one well-known fish tavern is the whole of the infrastructure.

Where to eat in Douliana

Eating in Douliana starts in the village itself, where 3 addresses sit within 200 m of the centre, and carries on into the neighbouring villages.

Douliana Kafenion is the village kafenion, in the centre.
The Douliana (Τα Ντουλιανα) stands 100 m out.
Heliostasi is a traditional restaurant 200 m out.
Elpida works as a traditional café and mezedopolio 1.9 km out.
Lagos Taverna serves taverna food 2.2 km out.
Thalami Restaurant lies 2.3 km out.

Getting to Douliana

Douliana is reached on the inland lanes of Apokoronas, either from Gavalochori 1.8 km away or up from the coast at Almyrida. Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport, and Chania city lies north-west of the village: our page on Gavalochori puts that village 26 km south-east of the city, and our page on Almyrida puts the coast 23 km east of it.

Everything a short stay needs is within a few kilometres of the village. Plaka sits about 1 km inland from Almyrida and 3.1 km from Douliana, Kalives is 3.2 km away on the bay, and Kokkino Chorio 4.1 km out on the peninsula. A car is worth having, because the sights here are spread across several villages.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Douliana in Crete?

Douliana lies in the Apokoronas area of the Chania region, inland from the south shore of Souda Bay and south-east of Chania. The village stands 1.8 km from Gavalochori, which our page places 26 km south-east of Chania.

Does Douliana have a beach?

Douliana is inland, and the nearest beach is Kera, 2.3 km away. Almyrida follows at 2.4 km and Kalives at 3 km, so 3 beaches sit within about 3 km of the village.

Which beach near Douliana suits children?

Almyrida suits children, 2.4 km from Douliana. Its 2 bays are shallow and sandy and stay calm on windless days, and tavernas, sunbeds and a watersports centre sit directly behind them.

What is there to see near Douliana?

The Venetian wells at Gavalochori and the wartime shelters at Kokkino Chorio are the two closest sights. Gavalochori, 1.8 km away, keeps 24 Venetian wells, Roman tombs, stone arches and a folklore museum, while Kokkino Chorio, 4.1 km away, holds the cave shelters the Germans cut into Drapanokefala hill to guard Souda Bay.

Can you walk a gorge from Douliana?

The Diktamos gorge is the nearest, 8.7 km from Douliana. The canyon starts near Katochori at 300 m, ends 8 km further east at Faragi village at 40 m beside Stylos, takes about 3 hours to cross, and needs care in places.

Which airport is nearest to Douliana?

Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to Douliana. The village sits in the Apokoronas countryside east of the city, reached on the roads between the Apokoronas villages.