Komitades village: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Komitades is a picturesque village located at the mouth of the Imbros Gorge, near the southern coast of Sfakia in Crete. The village is situated at an altitude of 200 meters and is just 4.5 kilometers away from Hora Sfakion. It is also approximately 68 kilometers away from the city of Chania. The village is surrounded by verdant olive groves and offers stunning views of the Libyan Sea and the distant island of Gavdos.

Apart from its natural beauty, Komitades is also renowned for its rich cultural heritage and history. The village boasts several ancient ruins and archaeological sites, including a Venetian fortress and a Byzantine church. Visitors can explore these fascinating landmarks and learn about the village’s past while enjoying the tranquil atmosphere and scenic surroundings.

Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or simply seeking a relaxing getaway, Komitades is a must-visit destination in Crete. With its stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and peaceful atmosphere, it is the perfect place to unwind and soak up the beauty of this enchanting island.

Things to do in Komitades

Things to do in Komitades start with the gorge the village sits under and spread along the Sfakia coast below it. Komitades stands at the mouth of the Imbros Gorge, so walkers finish their descent here, and Chora Sfakion is 4.5 km away. The list runs outwards from the village.

1. Walk the Imbros gorge, which ends at Komitades and begins at the village of Imbros, 700 metres above sea level. It runs 11 km and takes 2 to 3 hours, which makes it the third most walked gorge on Crete after Samaria and Agia Irini by Sougia, and all three form part of the E4 European hiking path. The first section, Porofarago or Porolagos, is broad, and the walls rise and close in as the trail descends. The route is described on Imbros Gorge.
2. Stop at the gorge viewpoint. The Imbros Gorge Viewpoint is 2.5 km from the village and doubles as a cafe.
3. Walk the Sfakiano gorge. This second canyon, also called Vartholoma or Lago, lies 2.1 km from Komitades and ends about 2 km east of Chora Sfakion at the Fylaki caves on the coast. It starts in the Trikoukia area of the White Mountains at 1,200 metres and runs 6.5 km, and the walking along the riverbank is easy. The suggested route starts from the Niato plateau near Askifou and heads for the abandoned village of Kali Lakki, through oaks, cypresses and pines. It is covered on Sfakiano Gorge.
4. Spend time in Chora Sfakion, a village 4.5 km from Komitades and is the main settlement and historic capital of the Sfakia region, set below the White Mountains that Cretans call the Madares. Its small harbour is the gateway to the roadless coast of southwest Crete, and travellers use it to catch a boat or finish a gorge walk. Tavernas, cafes, rooms and shops line the seafront, as set out on Chora Sfakion.
5. Add the Kavis and Kapni gorges. Two more canyons sit close to the village, Kavis Gorge at 3.8 km and Kapni Gorge at 4.3 km.
6. Carry on to Anopolis and Loutro. The plateau village of Anopolis lies 7.5 km from Komitades, and Loutro, on the coast, 8.1 km.

Eating happens in the village and down in Sfakia. Komitades has Taverna Giorgos in the village and Posidonio Cretan Cuisine 600 m out. At 2.7 km sit Mesohori Taverna and Thea Snack Bar & Cafe, and 3 km from the village you reach Taverna Obrosgialos, Traditional Tavern Nikos and Girogiali Grill House.

Beaches in and around Komitades

Beaches in and around Komitades all sit on the Libyan Sea coast below the village, because Komitades itself stands 200 metres up at the mouth of the gorge. 4 of them lie within 3.2 km, gathered around Chora Sfakion. The pebbly coves east of the town are the closest.

• Filaki beach lies 1.8 km from Komitades and 3 km from Chora Sfakion, close enough to walk from the town. The name means “prison”, after how cut off the cove is. It is a pebble beach with rock formations, it is the only official nudist beach on the island, and it has a car park, toilets, bars, sling chairs and umbrellas.
• Ammoudi beach sits 2.6 km from the village and 1.5 km east of Chora Sfakion, reached by a rough dirt road whose last section is poor. Despite the name, which means sandy beach, Ammoudi is pebbly, and its water is the clearest of the beaches around here. The seabed carries striking rock formations.
• Agios Charalambos stands 2.6 km from the village, a cove next to a hotel that caters only to nudists. The shore here breaks into 3 or 4 isolated coves in a row, with Sfakiano Ammoudi first and Agios Charalambos next. A small path through the rocks leads to the cave-like church of Saint Charalambos, who the Sfakians hold as a protector against plagues.
• The Chora Sfakia beaches begin 3.1 km from the village. Vrissi, the town’s main beach, lies at its western end and is pebbly, well kept and beside the town’s facilities. The Byzantine church of Saint George stands over the eastern end, next to the harbour.