Explore Crete island

Sfakia - Crete, GREECE

Sfakia is a small, picturesque village built around a coastal port in the south Crete. Here the walkers from the Samaria Gorge spill off the boat and onto the bus, however it would be nice to visit the town for a couple of days or for a day trip. Sfakia village is located 62 km south of Chania, at the end of the rural road that begins at Vrisses of Apokoronas and cuts to the south across the Chania prefecture. The village has played a very important role in the history of the wars against the invaders of Crete. In the Sfakia there is a small pedestrian street with tavernas, cafes and shops just next to the sea. There is a lovely pebble beach in the front of the village’s waterfront; however the best beaches are remote and they are located a few km far from Sfakia (a few beaches are offered for nudism, too).

Most beaches are pebble beaches but there are also a few sandy beaches. On the road to Anopoli if you turn left after the last houses of the village you will find a lovely pebble beach. In Sfakia there is one ATM, a post office and OTE. If you want to eat you can try the Samaria taverna which offers traditional food, vegetarian dishes and grills. The waterfront is ideal to relax under the pergolas while having your coffee or taking a drink.. Nearby the Sfakia is the Fragokastello village with the famous castle, which worth seeing; there is a sandy beach next to the castle which you can also visit. While staying in Sfakia you should also visit the remote, traditional village of Anopolis (the road is full of curves and it is very dangerous!) and the Aradena Bridge a few km after the village. Moreover, if you like walking the remote seaside village of Loutro is in 2-hour distance (5.5 km) to the west (you can also go to Loutro by boat).

Regular public transportation from Hania is available for visiting Sfakia. The bus from Hania to Hora Sfakion departs every day at 8.30 am, 11.00 am and 2.00 pm. The road from Hania to Sfakia crosses the island from North to South, through the village of Vrises. At the 33rd km of the road Hania-Rethymnon we leave the main hi way and follow a paved side road to Vrises. From this village starts an impressive trip to the east side of the White Mountains crossing the mountainous area of Sfakia and ending to Hora Sfakion by the Lybian sea. Half way from Vrises to Sfakia is the fertile plateau of Askifou, surrounded by high mountain peaks. From Askifou plateau to Sfakia is the most impressive part of the route. The road hugs the western slope of the wonderful gorge of Imbros and the view to the gorge and to the Libyan sea is breathtaking. Sfakia is an ideal base for mountainous and sea excursions to the villages and sandy beaches of southern Crete. Besides the wonderful plateau of Askifou, the village and gorge of Imbros and the traditional and historical village of Komitades, there are plenty of beaches accessible from Sfakia.
The more adventurous visitor can follow the European hiking footpath E4 which crosses Crete . There are few hotels and rooms to rent, taverns with local food (local cheese pies "sfakianes pites" are recommended ) and bars. Apart from the outstanding natural beauty of the indented rocky shoreline, Sfakia is also worth visiting for the small Venetian fortress built there in 1526 as part of a defensive system of towers and fortresses later taken over by the Turks