The village of Kalamafka is situated at an altitude of 480m above sea level and is located 24.5km away from Agios Nikolaos, accessible via the road from Kalo Horio- Prina, and 15 km from Ierapetra. The village has a population of 617, which includes the smaller villages of Kamara and Psathi. The village is surrounded by forests of platans, pine trees, olive trees, and a spring with small waterfalls, which add to the natural beauty of the area. The hill Kastelos, which overlooks the village, offers a panoramic view of the county of Ierapetra and the Libyan sea. At the top of Kastelos, visitors can explore the cave 40 Chambers, which has a small chapel of Timios Stavros inside.
Kalamafka has several sights to offer, including the gorge of Havga, the cave Theriou Koufala, the hill Kastelos, the chapel of Agios Antonios with a curved temple and entrance, and the chapels of Agios Georgios, Agia Paraskevi, and Panagia. The village also has a cultural association, the cultural association of Kalamafka, which organizes various cultural events throughout the year. The patronal feasts of Panagia at August 15 and Timios Stavros at September 14 are the most popular cultural events in the village.
Visitors to Kalamafka will find limited facilities, with no accommodation available. However, there are a few taverns and cafes operating during the day, where visitors can enjoy local cuisine and refreshments.
Situated in Ierápetra and only 27 km from Lake Voulismeni, Elis superb villa features accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This villa provides air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The villa has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Staff at the villa are always available to provide advice at the reception.
Elis superb villa offers a picnic area. If you would like to discover the area, hiking and walking tours are possible in the surroundings and the accommodation can arrange a car rental service.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 27 km from Elis superb villa, while Agios Nikolaos Port is 28 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 70 km from the villa.
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a rooftop pool, mountain view and a balcony, Villa M – Villa with private pool and yard is located in Anatolí. It features a garden, pool views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The villa comes with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
A outdoor play equipment is also available for guests at the villa.
Lake Voulismeni is 31 km from Villa M – Villa with private pool and yard, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 30 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 74 km from the accommodation.
Diktynna offers traditional houses, converted into villas with fireplace and views over the Libyan Sea. It is situated 12 km from Ierapetra. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are provided.
Diktynna Traditional Villas air-conditioned with 2 bedrooms and a living room. They all have a large, fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and veranda or balconies. There is free Wi-Fi, and a flat-screen satellite TV is available in each of the rooms.
Guests can use the traditional wooden oven, located in the public space of the residential complex.
With Diktynna as their base, guests can explore the surrounding villages of the Lasithi region. You can follow the hiking trails in the area or enjoy a ride with mountain bikes provided on site for free.
from
€118
/night
Featuring an outdoor swimming pool, a garden, and barbecue facilities, Villa Lato – Villa with private pool and yard provides accommodation in Anatolí with free WiFi and pool views. The air-conditioned accommodation is 19 km from Ierápetra.
The villa features 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 2 bathrooms.
The villa offers a terrace.
Agios Nikolaos is 31 km from Villa Lato – Villa with private pool and yard, while Elounda is 40 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 91 km from the accommodation.
Located in Ierápetra, 31 km from Lake Voulismeni and 30 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa), Villa K-Villa with private pool offers a garden and air conditioning. This property offers a private pool, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa features 3 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, a washing machine and 2 bathrooms with a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
Agios Nikolaos Port is 31 km from Villa K-Villa with private pool. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 74 km from the accommodation.
Located in Ierápetra and only 31 km from Lake Voulismeni, VILLA VASO provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. Guests benefit from a balcony and a picnic area.
The apartment with a terrace and sea views features 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 30 km from the apartment, while Agios Nikolaos Port is 31 km away. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 74 km from VILLA VASO.
from
€65
/night
Through this route we explore the south-eastern Crete. We head to Agios Nikolaos and stop in the traditional village of Kritsa, one of the most famous villages of Crete with its narrow picturesque alleys and its traditional shops.
Afterwards we ascend through a beautiful route with magnificent views and end up at the Katharo Plateau at an altitude of 1250 meters where we stop for coffee in a traditional cafe. We cross the forest of SELAKANO and end up in the SARAKINA Gorge which will surprise you with its beauty. Continuing and after our amazing meal, we reach the southernmost end of eastern Crete, the village of Myrtos with its amazing beach where you can have a swim in the crystal clear waters of the LIBIAN SEA.
Returning through a very beautiful route we arrive at your hotel.
This route will leave you with the very best memories.
Discover the scenery of Crete’s White Mountains on a road trip from Platanias to Zourva. Explore local villages, stop to take photos of gorges, and savor a typical snack in Zourva.
Begin the tour with pickup in Platanias, then set off through the colorful scenery of the Orange Valley. Continue climbing slowly up the west side of the White Mountains, admiring the views as you go.
After passing Meskla village we will have a short stop to visit a small Sarakina gorge where we will see the impressive rock walls of the gorge just a short walk away from the road. Curvy road will take us all the way up at Zourva where we will have a break with a simple snack with incredible view.
Breathtaking sceneries will continue to the next village Therisso which played an important role in Crete’s modern history. On the way back to Platanias we will drive along the Therisso gorge where you can admire the high vertical cliffs and the huge Plane trees.
Route: Platanias – Patelari – Meskla – Zourva – Therisso – Varipetro – Agia – Drakiana – Platanias
Explore the natural beauty of South Crete on our “Sarakina Gorge” safari tour! Discover the charm of Kritsa village, capture breathtaking Mirabello Gulf views, and navigate the off-road terrain of Kroustas Pine Forest. Savor a cup of coffee in Males village. Afterward… The highlight of your tour awaits at Sarakina Gorge, a sublime natural spectacle that is certain to fill you with wonder and amazement. Hike through this stunning canyon, surrounded by towering rock formations and lush vegetation. The brave may even take a dip in the natural pools that dot the landscape. After hiking … Taste Crete with a delicious lunch combined with local wine in the family’s restaurant. As the journey continues, venture to the coastal haven of Myrtos, where crystal-clear waters beckon you to refresh in the embrace of the South Cretan sea. Dive into a Cretan paradise!
This Land Rover excursion is the perfect way to explore the central part of Crete, visiting 2 different plateaus and learning about mythology as well as local life.
We head out in the Land Rover to the plateau of Katharo, passing through the largest forest on Crete. The roads here are basically non-existent and the mountains reach heights of 1,500 meters. You’ll have a refreshment stop at a kafenion (coffee shop) somewhere in the wilderness.
The tour continues on along dirt tracks, through valleys, and across rivers, and the journey starts to get exciting! At the next stop you’ll have the opportunity to take photos from a spectacular viewpoint above the Lassithi Plateau. You’ll then head to the plateau to enjoy your BBQ lunch, along with unlimited wine.
After lunch you’ll travel back in time as you visit the Eco Village, where you can see local crafts being made by traditional methods. The next stop will be Zeus’s cave where, according to mythology, the father of the gods was born. If you’d like to enter the cave there is a EUR 4 entrance fee that’s payable at the site.
Your driver/guide will take you on to Seli, where you can take photos of the unique scenery. You’ll continue on to the village of Krassi, noted for its 2,000-year-old plane tree and natural spring water source. As you make your way back you’ll pass through Selinari, an area where you’ll be on the lookout for vultures, now an endangered species.
Visit one of the most beautiful gorges on the east side of Crete, the Kritsa Gorge, with professional adventure guides.
Enjoy the special nature while on this short but challenging hike. See striking canyons and cliffs, unique plant species, and spectacular views.
After a walking about 8 kilometers, enjoy small local snacks and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful beach, where you can take a refreshing swim.
Enjoy a perfect day that offers a combination of exercise and relaxation.
On our ATV-Quad tour from Ierapetra we go off-roading in the rugged landscapes of Crete’s southern coast. We start with a theoretical introduction and a small driving practise, before we start the adventure. Lonely tracks away from main traffic, in the midst of the most beautiful nature will take you to a beautiful landscape on the Cretan mountains. Splash through streams, wind along ancient gorges, and look for island wildlife from behind the wheel of a personal quad vehicle. Get a taste of Cretan history and culture during several stops along the way, including a traditional Greek brunch at Kalamafka Village. The off-road quad safari from Ierapetra explores hard-to-reach areas of Crete’s southern coast. A Great way to experience Cretan culture and nature off the beaten path.
Gra Ligia is a coastal village located a short 5km journey to the west of Ierapetra and a 39km trip south from Agios Nikolaos. Nestled at the mouth of a rich valley, the village is surrounded by greenhouses filled with early-ripening vegetables. The locals of Gra Ligia were pioneers in the use of greenhouse agriculture, a practice that has since spread throughout the Ierapetra region. The profusion of greenhouses has even earned the village the nickname of “Silicon Valley of Greece”. The Bramiana dam, situated 2km north of the village, plays a crucial role in the area’s agriculture, supplying water to all Ierapetra crops and forming one of Crete’s key wetlands.
Aside from farming, tourism also forms an essential part of the local economy. Gra Ligia, with its recent mild growth, is among the newest holiday destinations on Crete. This growth has been facilitated by the appealing long beach, fringed with coarse sand that extends from Ierapetra to the Stomio region. The beach is known for its tranquil waters and is well-equipped with amenities like umbrellas and showers, albeit not on a large scale. Tamarisk trees pepper the landscape, providing shade and greenery. The beach is a popular spot for locals who enjoy swimming and fishing from their boats docked in the local harbour.
The beach is also a venue for local events such as beach soccer tournaments. If you’re fortunate, you might even have a chance to partake in the unique “xentomatiasmata” or tomato war, a tradition revived and celebrated in early summer. Gra Ligia is an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful and relaxing holiday. In the evenings, visitors can unwind with a drink at local bars or take a short trip to Ierapetra. To reach Gra Ligia from Ierapetra, simply travel westward on the city road. Alternatively, there are bus services that pass through the village.
Ammoudares, a seaside location 8km west of Ierapetra and 45km south of Agios Nikolaos, shares its beachfront with nearby Nea Anatoli and Stomio. The Ammoudares coastline features a series of long beaches with coarse grey sand. They are mostly uncrowded and secluded, largely due to the surrounding greenhouses which may deter visitors due to potential pesticide use in the waters.
A kilometer east of the initial Ammoudares beach, you’ll encounter Kalamaki beach. Hidden from the main road and largely undiscovered by tourists, its sandy shores are a quiet haven. It’s also referred to as Kapelas, named after a renowned pizzeria once run by an American in the area. Kapelas translates to ‘tavern owner’ in Greek. The beach is nestled amidst towering cliffs adding to its tranquility.
Access to both Ammoudares and Kalamaki is possible via the main road from Ierapetra heading west. If you’re fortunate to visit the Ierapetra vicinity, there are numerous appealing beaches that warrant exploration. However, if solitude is what you’re seeking, both Ammoudares and Kalamaki offer a peaceful retreat.
Agios Panteleimon beach, nestled in Istro, a village 12km east of Agios Nikolaos en route to Sitia, owes its name to a petite church located nearby. Featuring both sandy and pebbly stretches, the beach is set against the backdrop of vibrant turquoise waters. As it doesn’t draw the same crowds as the neighboring Voulisma beach, Agios Panteleimon is the perfect spot for those seeking relaxation and serenity.
In the vicinity, you’ll also find Karavostasi beach. This sandy, unspoiled beach is tucked away in the western part of Istro’s largest gulf and provides the perfect setting for peaceful moments. The surrounding area is rich in tamarisk, carob, and olive trees, adding to the beach’s charm. Just east of Karavostasi, there’s a large rock bearing the remnants of the Minoan settlement Priniatikos Pirgos.
Voulisma Beach dominates Crete’s coastline as a top destination, positioned in a sheltered cove between Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra. Voulisma Beach provides direct access from Heraklion and includes shallow turquoise waters, smooth sand mixed with pebbles, and structured amenities. Voulisma Beach holds the Blue Flag award, confirming its environmental standards. Voulisma Beach experiences peak-time crowding but sustains appeal through its physical qualities.
Voulisma Beach provides access to the Gournia archaeological site, located 10 kilometres (6 miles) east near Pachia Ammos. Gournia is one of the best-excavated Minoan towns, which was destroyed by an earthquake and subsequently abandoned.
Voulisma Beach offers proximity to Panagia Faneromeni Monastery, positioned 11 kilometres (7 miles) southeast on a steep slope. Panagia Faneromeni Monastery is worth visiting for its stunning church built into a cave and the awe-inspiring sea views. Every year on the 15th of August, Panagia Faneromeni Monastery becomes a pilgrimage site, drawing visitors from across Crete.
Below is the list of the best restaurants near Voulisma Beach
The Havgas Gorge, situated near the village of Kalamafka and just 12km north of Ierapetra city, is one of several gorges with the same name scattered across Crete. Other examples include the Havgas Gorge in the Lassithi Plateau, Plaka, and Kavoussi. The Havgas Gorge is nestled between the Megali Korfi (1103m) and Kokies (993m) peaks, and its stream, the Kapsous, serves as the primary tributary of the Kalamavkianos River that empties into the Stomio beach of Gra Ligia.
This stunning canyon boasts unique rock formations, sculpted by rare geological events. Many of these rocks are adorned with nature’s own “artwork”, etched over time by the elements. Despite its relatively short length, the gorge offers an easy and enjoyable walk along the riverbed, even for novices. The area’s altitude of around 500m provides the perfect environment for a lush pine forest. Regrettably, repeated fires have caused the forest to diminish in size. Nevertheless, the area is worth a visit, and visitors are sure to be charmed by the sight of small pine trees sprouting from the rocks, akin to bonsai trees.
The gorge’s depth extends to 300m. At one spot, two narrow rocks form the entrance to a series of caves that served as a refuge for Cretan rebels and Allies during the German Occupation. The locals refer to this area as the “Chinese Landscape”, due to the smooth rocks dotted with bonsai-like trees. Adjacent to the gorge’s exit, visitors can explore the village of Kalamafka with its inviting taverns and babbling water. Additionally, nearby attractions include an ancient olive oil mill and the churches of Saint John and Saint Anthony.
This magnificent natural phenomenon – Sarakina Gorge – can be found near the traditional village of Mythi and the coastal settlement of Myrtos, where the Kryos river merges with the sea.
As the tale goes in Greek mythology, Zeus’s son, the giant Sarantapihos, once paused to quench his thirst from the Myrtos or Kryos river, near Ierapetra. His sweeping beard slashed the mountain, dividing it into two parts, thereby forming the Sarakina canyon.
Regarded by many visitors as Crete’s most captivating hiking gorge, Sarakina may only stretch 1.5km, but within this concise journey, one encounters an awe-inspiring spectacle of nature, a natural sculpture painstakingly crafted by water over countless years. The canyon boasts towering walls that rise up to 150m high and extremely narrow passages often found in technical gorges that require canyoneering equipment. The width of Sarakina fluctuates between 3 to 10 meters, rarely extending beyond these points.
The majority of the canyon is accessible to explorers of all abilities, featuring water, pools, and a handful of climbing points that necessitate careful navigation. A standout feature is the abundant water almost all year round, creating picturesque waterfalls and ponds perfect for a refreshing dip, even in the summer. In winter, traversing the gorge without getting soaked is a challenge. As one embarks on the route, they’ll encounter the need to climb, navigate immense boulders, and cross rocky bridges. Carved stone stairs and tree trunks are present in tricky spots to facilitate easier climbing.
The Kritsa Gorge, located 9.5km southwest of Agios Nikolaos, begins near the charming village of Kritsa and concludes at Tapes village. This 4 km long gorge, at some points, is only 1.5m wide. It is fairly easy to navigate, with a few areas requiring caution, where large rocks need to be climbed over. However, it is not advisable to visit the gorge following rainfall, as the resulting ponds can obstruct the paths.
The canyon’s entrance near Kritsa is striking. The mountain is split in two, creating the narrow Havgas passage (Havgas is a common term for gorges in East Crete). In addition to the main trail that begins near Kritsa’s stone bridge, there is an alternate path that starts in the village itself.
Close to the trailhead, you’ll find a large rock that can be scaled with relative ease. Beyond this point, the canyon becomes even more breathtaking, with slender passages and towering walls that block out sunlight. This natural wonder is particularly beautiful in spring when flowers are in bloom and water levels are low. The walls eventually recede, revealing a picturesque valley filled with olive groves. If you continue along the riverbed for approximately 1.5 hours, you’ll arrive at the lovely village of Tapes, where you can relax at the local coffee shop.
The Holy Apostles (Agii Apostoli) or Lapathos Gorge is situated on the southern part of Mount Dikti, 28km to the west of Ierapetra and 72km to the south of Heraklion, in the broader vicinity of the village of Kato Simi. This is a technical canyon, implying that crossing it necessitates technical gear and specific training. The Lapathos canyon is an ideal challenge for highly skilled canyoners. It spans approximately 4km and there is a height difference of about 900m between the start and finish points.
The canyon originates from the small plateau of Lapathos, where the Holy Apostles church stands, and concludes on the road that links the village of Pefkos with Ierapetra. Although it’s typically a dry canyon, in 2009, the team of seasoned canyoners Vassilis Vagias, Savvas Paragamian, and Giannis Skondinakis discovered it to contain surprisingly large amounts of water.
The gorge features 28 steep descents that demand excellent rappelling skills. The tallest rappel is 80m, making it one of the highest in all of Crete. The sheer walls of Lapathos serve as nesting grounds for a variety of birds including vultures, hawks, and crows. Towards the gorge’s exit, the vegetation is predominantly made up of pines and cypresses. Following the exit, the stream continues its journey to Tertsa beach.
Kalamáfka village is a small traditional village located in the mountains of Greece.
The population of Kalamáfka village is not mentioned in the text.
The history of Kalamáfka village is not mentioned in the text.
The attractions in Kalamáfka village include traditional stone houses, a church, a taverna, and hiking trails.
Kalamáfka village is not mentioned as a popular tourist destination in the text.
The climate in Kalamáfka village is not mentioned in the text.
The text does not provide information on how to get to Kalamáfka village.
The average temperature in Kalamáfka village ranges from 15°C to 30°C, depending on the season.
Kalamáfka village is located in the region of Crete, Greece, in the prefecture of Chania.
The nearest airport to Kalamáfka village is Chania International Airport (CHQ), which is approximately 50 km away.
Some attractions near Kalamáfka village include the Samaria Gorge, the Agia Irini Gorge, the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete, and the ancient city of Aptera. Additionally, the village is surrounded by beautiful mountains and hiking trails.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
