Situated a few steps from Kaloi Limenes Beach, Marousa Apartments features accommodation with pool with a view, a garden and a shared kitchen for your convenience. Free WiFi is offeredthroughout the property.
Offering a terrace or balcony with views of the sea and mountain, the units feature air conditioning, a seating area, cable TV and kitchen. An oven, a fridge and stovetop are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
A car rental service is available at the apartment.
Psili Ammos Beach is 300 metres from Marousa Apartments, while Makria Ammos Beach is 800 metres from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 71 km from the accommodation.
Set in Kali Limenes, a few steps from Kaloi Limenes Beach and 300 metres from Psili Ammos Beach, Beach Front Condo South Crete offers barbecue facilities and air conditioning. This beachfront property offers access to free WiFi and free private parking.
The apartment with a balcony and sea views has 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
The apartment offers a range of wellness facilities including a wellness packages and a beauty services. A car rental service is available at Beach Front Condo South Crete, while skiing and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
Makria Ammos Beach is 800 metres from the accommodation, while Phaistos is 19 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 71 km from Beach Front Condo South Crete.
from
€153
/night
Situated in Kali Limenes, 1.3 km from Maha Beach and 1.3 km from Karavovrisi Beach, Beach View offers air conditioning. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony and free WiFi.
The apartment has 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Kokkines Plakes Beach is 1.8 km from the apartment, while Phaistos is 28 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 72 km from Beach View.
from
€65
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a rooftop pool, mountain view and a patio, Villa Melpomeni is set in Andiskárion. This beachfront property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa with a terrace and sea views has 4 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 2 bathrooms with a shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the villa.
The villa offers a picnic area. A car rental service is available at Villa Melpomeni.
Psili Ammos Beach is 1.1 km from the accommodation, while Kokkines Plakes Beach is 2.5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 69 km from Villa Melpomeni.
from
€266
/night
Boasting garden views, Villa Galanthus offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 8.3 km from Phaistos. It has a garden, mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The villa has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
A a baby safety gate is also available for guests at the villa.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 11 km from Villa Galanthus. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 60 km from the accommodation.
Featuring garden views, Eirini’s Traditional House provides accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 8.3 km from Phaistos. It features a garden, mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The holiday home is equipped with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
The holiday home offers a picnic area.
Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 11 km from Eirini’s Traditional House. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 61 km from the accommodation.
Discover a shipwreck during 2 scuba dives with an experienced instructor. Head over to South Crete , crossing amazing landscapes , gear up and swim through the now bustling aquatic life living around the cargo ship wreck. Tuck into local snacks in between your dives, reenergizing yourself.
Drive through varying landscapes, past mountains and traditional villages before arriving at the South Coast, where the “Byron I” cargo ship wreck is laying down on the sea floor.
During your dive briefing learn the history of the wreck. The “Byron I” was a cargo ship carrying 11,000 tons of sugar. On January 17, 1985 the ship sunk in bad weather conditions, dropping its sugary cargo around it. Luckily, the crew managed to survive and was saved from the wreck.
Nowadays. this 100-meter ship wreck is home to divers aquatic life, from groupers to octopuses, and from moray eels to lionfish, and more. Dive in crystal clear waters with great visibility, making this dive site a unique place for underwater photography.
Tuck into a delicious local snack with fruits and drinks between your 2 dives, and enjoy a debrief with your instructor after both dives, as your dive log is filled out.
Southern Crete is a natural beauty which begs to be explored, while the region’s turbulent history has left behind some of the most beautiful remains. Come with us on a day trip with no planned destinations and let us explore together the hidden gems of this magnificent part of Crete!
Our crew will meet you at Agia Galini port and welcome you on board, where you will be given a briefing about safety and boat handling. We set our sails to the unexplored beaches of South Crete.
We arrive at the beach of our choice. We drop our anchor and you will have free time for swimming, snorkelling, enjoying the sun and nature. We carefully approach the coves that are surrounded by the protected wildlife.
Our team will tell you everything about the history and the myths of the places we will visit while a delicious meal from fresh and local organic ingredients is being prepared.
After your lunch and perhaps after a quick dive, we will set our sails again to return back to Agia Galini port.
We only wish to see the dolphins on the way back!
Places of interest: Agios Georgios, Agios Pavlos, Triopetra, Preveli, Komos Beach, Matala, Kokkini Ammos (Red Beach), Vathi Beach, Akra Lithino, Martsalo, Agiofarago, Kaloi Limenes.
**Please note that the itinerary might change due to the weather condition and the duration of the trip!
We start driving through the route of the vineyards of crete. The villages we will cross are famous for the grape varieties and their wines and that is why there are many well-known wineries on our way.
Our first stop is at agios thomas a village at an altitude of 760 meters, dating back to 1371 AD. In the village there are byzantine churches, ruins of the byzantine aqueduct as well as roman era tombs.
Going down, we will cross the messara valley and following a route through olive groves, we will reach the monastery of odogitria one of the most famous monasteries of crete, dating back to the 14thcentury. You will be amazed by the beauty of the monastery and you will have the opportunity to visit the museum with objects of the daily life of cretans.
Following a beautiful dirt road we arrive at the entrance of agiofarago and start crossing it on foot. Walking through the gorge (with zero difficulty degree) you will have the opportunity to get close to sheep and goats which are beautiful and absolutely harmless. After 20 minutes walking you will end up on a beach with fine pebble that will really enchant you. It is the paradise of southern crete
After swimming in the crystal clear waters and driving through a beautiful dirt road we reach matala, the famous village of southern crete where the hippies lived in the 70s. You will have free time to admire the beauties of the village and visit the caves of the hippies.
We return to the hotel through a beautiful route. This journey will amaze and fill you with pictures that will stay with you for a lifetime.
We reach the famous beach of Matala. This is the place where Zeus, having taken the form a bull, swam ashore with Europa on his back before dragging her off to Gortys. Both the Minoans and the Romans used the place as their harbor. Nevertheless, for most people, Matala means only one thing: hippies. Back in the late 1960s – 1970s, this little town was a colony of the “flower children”, who lived in the caves that used to be former Roman tombs. Here we will enjoy the crystal waters, the warm sun and lunch by the sea, while later we can explore the prehistoric caves, carved on thesteep rocks of the area.
11:00 Arrival at Matala – free time
15:00 Departure from Matala
16:15 Arrival in Heraklion
Route: 90 km
Duration: app. 8 hours
Extras: Entrance Caves Matala (optional): 2,00 €
Pick up
Malia: 08:30
Stalis: 08:35
Hersonisos: 08:45
Anissaras: 08:55
Analipsi: 09:10
Gouves: 09:20
Gournes: 09:30
Kokkini Hani: 09:30
Karteros: 09:35
Heraklion: 09:45
Ammoudara: 09:55
Early in the morning we will pick you up from your hotel or the nearest suitable pick up point with one of our air conditioned and comfortable buses so that we lead you at first to Matala, famous for the artificial caves in the cliff of the bay that were created in the Neolithic history, used later through the years as tombs or more likely as living spaces. In recent history, during the 70’s, the caves were occupied by hippies, a history that is nowadays celebrated every June during the 3 day Matala Beach Festival. In Matala you can enjoy swimming at the sandy beach, have a drink or a snack in one of the small picturesque cafe, or explore the village and the surrounding area. Three hours later, leaving from Matala we will go to Agia Galini, a famous tourist resort also in the South coast of Rethymno region, where you can relax, swim or enjoy your lunch in one of the many restaurants located at the small port and the alleys of the village. Final destination in our trip will be Spili, a small, traditional and very beautiful village, located at the Southwest side of mountain Vorizi, 30 klms away from the city of Rethymno. You can enjoy a walk, a soft drink at the central square with the famous 25 lionhead marble taps with water always running from the mountain.
One hour later we will take our way back to Rethymno where our day trip will come to an end.
Intro:
Located approximately 68 km southwest of Heraklion, Matala is one of the most popular destinations and one of the most beautiful beaches of our island. Mostly famous for the caves carved in the rocks next to the beach and the hippies of the 60’s.
Gortyna,also known as Gortys, was a city of ancient Crete mentioned by numerous ancient writers for its importance and splendor that is by no means inferior to that of Knossos.
Full description:
Once you are greeted by our friendly driver and guide, your day trip is about to begin.
Our first stop of the day is a visit to the archaeological site of Gortyn which is located 45 km south of Heraklion. Inhabited since 3000 BC, evolved as one of the largest cities during the Minoan era, finally reaching its peak during the Roman Empire, the city of Gortyn is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Walk around the site and have a chance to travel back in time while admiring the ancient ruins.
After a quick ride, we reach our second destination, the village of Matala. As we approach the village, a beautiful sandy beach of around 300 m long will greet you. You will have plenty of time to dive in the crystal clear deep water, swim under the Cretan sun and have lunch in one of the traditional taverns surrounding the beach. Matala is also known for its hand-carved caves that are found in the cliff of its bay. The caves were created in the Neolithic Age and were used throughout history as living spaces. During the 60’s the caves were occupied by the hippies who travelled from all over the world in search of their very own paradise on earth.
Explore the intriguing caves, enjoy a refreshing dive and allow us to take you on an unforgettable experience.
Kali Limenes, also known as Good Ports, is a seaside village in the Asterousia Mountains, situated 75km southwest of Heraklion. It’s one of the few coastal regions of Asterousia accessible via asphalt road. Reaching this place requires a drive from Pompia village, through Messara Plane, and onto Pigaidakia village. Despite the road being narrow and loaded with sharp turns, the journey is worthwhile. An alternative dirt road from the Monastery of Odigitria, also leading to Kali Limenes, can be paired with a beach visit to Agiofarago.
Upon arrival, you can’t miss the oil tanks of SEKA stationed on the island Mikronisi, locally known as “Apostle Paul”. Kali Limenes is a lesser-known spot for Greeks, but the Vardinoyannis family, one of Europe’s wealthiest, is well-known. They began their empire in 1961 with these tanks, serving as a refuelling station for ships crossing the Mediterranean and the Suez Canal. Despite the visual pollution these facilities bring, the sea remains pristine.
Ignoring the unsightly tanks, the stunning beaches of Kali Limenes will undoubtedly captivate you. Suitable for year-round swimming, the sea, true to its name Fair Harbors, remains calm most of the year, except in winter. The calmness was a factor in the placement of the tanks. Weekends bring crowds to these beaches, undeterred by the challenging journey through Asterousia.
Maria Ammos, or Long Sandy Beach, is the first beach you’ll encounter coming from Pigaidakia. It’s a lengthy beach with greyish pebbles and deep waters. As you move east, the coast grows increasingly tranquil. Maria Ammos is a popular spot for nudists, and campers are drawn to the shade-providing tamarisk trees lining the coast. The beach may not be well-organized, but you’ll find a few eateries and hotels to the west.
Kali Limenes village, west of Makria Ammos, is nestled amidst lush olive groves. A quaint bay and harbour grace the village’s front, along with the child-friendly Psili Ammos, or Fine Sandy Beach. This beach, the busiest in the area, is lined with restaurants, a mini market, and rented rooms.
The hill west of Kali Limenes houses the chapel of St. Paul. It was built in 1700 in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit in 1992 and 2008. You can also explore a nearby cave, believed to have housed Apostle Paul for two years. The gorgeous beach of Stena is also worth a visit.
East of Kali Limenes, a road leading to Chrysostomos will bring you to Karavovrysi beach after a 2km journey and a short walk. It’s a stunning beach with coarse sand and calm water. But be ready to bring your own shade as there are no trees.
Stena, a secluded bay 75km southwest of Heraklion and just 500m west of Kali Limenes, is nestled beneath the church and cave of St. Paul. According to scripture, the Apostle Paul resided in this cave during his journey to Rome. Reachable by a 400m downhill dirt road from Kali Limenes, Stena is an undiscovered gem not found in typical Crete tourist guides.
Its unique feature, a massive rock situated in the center of the cove, separates it from regular beaches. This rock is surrounded by a narrow water strip, contributing to the name Stena, which means ‘Strait’ – a nod to the narrow passage between the rock and the coast. Along this water strip, a beautiful beach with fine pebbles forms.
Though unknown to many and completely unorganized, its small size makes it seem packed with just a handful of people. If you are visiting Kali Limenes, Stena can be a great choice, especially during less crowded times (like weekdays). With Kali Limenes in close proximity, you need not worry about food, water, or accommodation. Don’t forget your mask if you visit, the rocks are perfect for exploring!
Agiofarago Beach, is a picturesque beach situated about 80km south of Heraklion city. To get there, you can opt for a 25-50 minute scenic trek through the Agiofarago Gorge or a boat ride from Matala, Agia Galini, Kokkinos Pirgos, or Kali Limenes. If you decide to trek through the gorge, you’ll enjoy a beautiful journey surrounded by towering walls. On your way, you will pass large caves inhabited by hermits from the nearby Odigitria Monastery and the charming St. Anthony’s chapel with its small brackish water well.
The end of the gorge route will bring you to the stunning Agiofarago Beach, where clear blue waters and fine pebbles are framed by towering cliffs. A unique rock formation to the west creates an enchanting swimming spot. However, it’s worth noting that due to the area’s religious significance in Crete, naturism is discouraged.
For those seeking an adventure in the afternoon, sturdy footwear is recommended to climb the eastern cliffs for an awe-inspiring view. A short walk to the southeast will reveal Vourvoulitis, a hidden saltwater lake surrounded by steep cliffs, linked to the sea via an underwater passage. Be careful, as the descent to the lake can be perilous.
To reach Agiofarago Beach from Heraklion, drive towards Sivas village and then to the Odigitria Monastery. From Odigitria, follow the dirt road leading to St. Anthony’s Church. After about 4km, turn right at the Agiofarago sign and continue until you reach a small plateau that serves as a parking area. However, avoid parking under trees to prevent goats from damaging your car while they’re trying to eat the tree leaves. A 30-minute walk through the gorge will then lead you to the stunning beach. Along the way, you’ll pass St. Anthony’s small church and Goumenospilios cave. For those arriving by boat, the rocky islet of Papadoplaka, located opposite Agiofarago and known for its small sea salt ponds harvested by locals, is worth a visit.
Chrisostomos, a quaint seaside hamlet, is situated 75km to the south of Heraklion and 3km to the east of Kali Limenes. This small community features a few local taverns, a mini market, and available lodging. It takes its name from the decaying church of Saint John Chrisostomos located on the eastern side of the settlement. Chrisostomos is established on the ancient city of Lassea’s site, which Saint Paul visited during his time on Crete. Lassea served as a port for the Roman city Gortys, the then capital of Crete and Libya in the Roman era, and was rich in copper resources.
Chrisostomos (Lassea) beach, in front of the village, is a picturesque spot featuring coarse sand and shelter from westerly winds. It’s not commercialized, but is conveniently close to the village. On the beach’s western edge, a rocky outcrop extends towards the small islet of Trafos, marking the ancient port of Lassea’s old pier. These rocks have been there since the 1960s, when they were used to construct the Oil Tanks of Kali Limenes. The ancient town of Lasea’s remnants are still visible on the beach and the islet. The beach extends beyond Trafos to the west, forming a separate beach known as Segrezo Ryaki that faces westward. This beach is proximate to a Roman cemetery and is secluded, ideal for nudists, but has more rocks than the main beach. At the westernmost point, there’s a freshwater spring.
To get here from Kali Limenes, take the paved road that begins 1km east of Kali Limenes and head east towards Platia Peramata. After about 2km, you will encounter the village of Chrysostomos on your right.
The Agiofarago Gorge, situated to the south of the Panagia Odigitria Monastery, was formed near two stream beds. One stream originates from the north-northeast of Gyalomonochoro, while the other begins west of Pigaidakia village. These two streams converge near Saint Kiriaki’s chapel, and after a fairly gentle course, they form the main Agiofarago Gorge that terminates at the stunning Agiofarago beach. The gorge features vertical cliffs with caves, but the path along the flat stream bed is quite easy to traverse. Just before reaching the sea, there’s a climbing field where climbers are often spotted.
Agiofarago, meaning Gorge of Saints, is named after the hermits who established a significant hermitage in Central Crete during the early Christian era, following Saint Paul’s visit to the region. As per a legend, around 300 hermits lived here in complete solitude, only gathering once a year in the Cave Goumenospilios to count their numbers and see who had died in the past year. The church of Saint Anthony (Agios Antonios), encountered on the way to the cave Goumenospilios, became the hub of the area’s asceticism when the hermits began forming a religious community. The church, believed to have been renovated three times, initially started as a small church in a rock cave. As the hermit population grew, the church was expanded. The final renovation is thought to have occurred in the 14th or 15th century. A small well outside the church supplied the hermits with water as there was no nearby spring. A circular Minoan tomb on a small hill south of the church indicates human presence from the Minoan era.
You can reach Agiofarago in several ways. You can take a boat from the ports of Kokkinos Pirgos, Agia Galini, or Kali Limenes, or you can take a dirt road starting from the historic Monastery of Odigitria near Sivas, which the area is a part of. From the monastery, follow the signs to Agiofarago, descend into the gorge, and continue until you reach a dead-end and a small parking area. Be cautious not to park your car under the trees as goats might climb on the roof to eat the leaves, causing damage. The hike from the parking area to the sea through the gorge takes approximately 25-35 minutes.
The Martsalo Gorge, stretching around 2km, is nestled on the southern coast of the rugged Asterousia Range. It collects rainwater from the Aginara region, near the Panagia Odigitria Monastery and eventually flows out onto Martsalo beach. Initially, a well-kept short trail leads from the closest dirt road to the historic church of Panagia Martsaliani. This ancient church, dating back to the early Christian era, is believed to have served as a catacomb, providing refuge for the first Christians. Surrounding the church, one can find hermit cells carved into the rocks and remnants of old structures.
From this point, it’s a relatively easy descent into the gorge’s bed, leading to the picturesque Martsalo beach. According to local lore, the Apostle Paul briefly landed here during his journey to Rome. The path to the beach is dotted with clusters of Cretan date palm trees, forming the second largest colony in Asterousia, only surpassed by the palm forest of Agios Nikitas.
The Trafoulas Gorge, located in the Asterousia Range, begins southeast of Krotos village and concludes at the Psili Ammos beach on the southern coast of the Cretan Sea. The majority of trekkers only explore a small portion of the gorge, typically from where they park their vehicle to the beach, despite the gorge’s origin being at a greater altitude. Even this limited section of the gorge is quite striking, characterized by narrow walls and towering rocks. According to local lore, the most narrow section of the gorge is referred to as the Pidimatou Gorge, or Jumping Gorge, given that a goat could feasibly leap from one side to the other.
The Trypiti Gorge, nestled in the Asterousia mountain range, lies south of Vassiliki village and channels water from the valley east of Miamou village through the Agiosavvitis river. Stretching over 4 km, the gorge ends in a stunning pebble beach named Tripiti. A dirt road, running along the eastern side of the gorge, provides access to the beach, following several kilometers before reaching the riverbed at the sea’s edge.
The gorge narrows near Saint Paraskevi church, situated at an elevation of 655m. The initial section of the gorge houses steep waterfalls, making it inaccessible without technical expertise and canyoneering equipment. The western side, in particular, is incredibly steep and dangerous. The Prophet Elijah church is a prominent feature at Katsakne, the peak of the western slopes. This church can be accessed via another dirt road that begins about half a kilometer before the gorge’s entrance.
Midway through the gorge, close to the dirt road, lies the Saint Savas church, surrounded by wild olive trees. The unique feature of this woodland is its wild, uncultivated olive trees, offering a glimpse into the natural habitat of these trees. The gorge is also home to an array of wildlife and bird species.
As you continue towards the sea, the road merges with the ravine and soon leads to the most picturesque part of the gorge: the narrow canyon, also known as Steno Faragi. Here, the sides of the gorge come so close together that they appear to touch. A road, just wide enough for a car, passes through this narrow gap. At the end of this narrow section, next to the beach, you’ll find the Panagia Tripiti church, built inside a cave, that celebrates its feast on September 1st.
The Trypiti Gorge is known by various other names, including Saint Savas Gorge, Katsakne, and Lavri. On the eastern side’s Papouri hill, archaeologists have uncovered a significant Preminoan settlement. Additionally, vaulted graves have been discovered at the Kalokambos location.
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