Explore Crete island

Fodele - Crete, GREECE

The village of Fodele is located 28 km west of Iraklion at 60m a.s.l., and has 500 permanent residents.
The area of Fodele expands over approximately 24,000,000 sq.m, extending from the northern side of the mountain "Strouboulas" to the northern coast of Crete island, at the bay of Fodele. Most of its area is forest covered by bushes. Another 3,000,000 sq.m covers the famous Fodele orange grove. The river Pantomantris and its banks which form a perfect refuge for hundreds of flora and fauna species, cover another 600,000 sq.m. The name Fodele probably comes from the name of one of its first settlers, since 1248 it is mentioned three times at the Kalergis- Venetians treaty.

Very close to Iraklion, at the 25th km of the new national road Iraklion- Rethimno we meet the beach of Fodele. Here a cross road leads to the village of Fodele after a distance of 3km, by the riverside and through fruitful orange trees.  The village is built among orange trees and plane-trees, forms a real oasis for the visitor, during the hot summer days. Through the village runs the small river "Pantomantris", which took its name from the old city "PANTOMANTRION" once existing here.

The visitor to Fodele can enjoy the Cretan specialties at the taverns of the village, buy souvenirs of the Cretan weaving art from the small stores and, for the nature lovers, take a walk to the monastery of Agios Pantelehimon, an old one which played an important role to the history of the place. This walk, five kilometers long, follows the river side and passes through the forest with plane-trees and bushes. Experienced walkers will love it. At Fodele there are two beaches, the first near the national road provides some tourist facilities, with a big hotel, restaurants, cafe etc, and a car station. The other one is located a little to the west, accessible only from Fodele village and there are no facilities to the visitors.
Access from Heraklion is easy, as public buses run regularly; you can also use a taxi and of course rented or private car and motorbikes. It is recommended to reach the beach following the old road. You should drive fore some 2 to 2,5 kilometres more, but the landscape is better and the way more interesting. And, you may combine your swimming and sunbathing with a sightseeing of the area; and don't forget that Fodele has been the birth place of the famous painter El Greco (Domenicos Theotokopoulos) and there is a Museum about him in Fodele village.