Askifou and the Askifou-Plateau is the biggest and quaint area of Western Crete. The most polular Gorge in this region is the Imbros Gorge, the Kalikrates Gorge and the Aradena Gorge. The Mountain-Village Askifou has a Mini Market, a Tavern a Cheese Dairy. The Askifou Plateau is located 58 km southwards from the Airport of Chania ( one hour drive), 29 km ( 41 minutes drive) from the Coastal Area of Frangokastello with the quiet magnificent sandy beaches and 21 km from the Village Hora Sfakion ( 30 minutes drive).
The Askifou plateau is the largest hiking area on Crete. A natural paradise in western Crete with many small surrounding gorges that have been declared nature reserves.
From Chania to the village Askifou approx. 1 hour ride. The Asfendou forest area with very good hiking opportunities can be reached from Askifou in just 20 minutes.
The entrance to the Imbros Gorge is in the village Askifou. To the Kallikratis gorge about 20 minutes drive.
The Askifou is 750 m above sea level and offers a landscape experience with its snow-covered slopes even in winter and is also a popular destination for locals. In spring time the plateau turns into a colorful carpet of flowers.
The road to the south coast has been extensively expanded and is a real driving experience with expanded viewpoints. Arriving the south coast, the village Frangokastello, you will find many small sandy bays that have been spared from mass tourism.
From the Askifou plateau to the coastal village of Chora Sfakion, where the ferry departs, it is 31 minutes ride, approx. 21 km. You can park your car there in the parking area and take the ferry for a small tour to the car-free town "Loutro" or to the village "Agia Roumeli". These ferry trips are interesting because you have the opportunity to admire Crete from the sea.
The ferry- connections are posted in the south coast village"Chora Sfakion". The ferry connections on the south-west coast play a major role as the massifs of the "White Mountains" only offer small side roads to the remote south coast villages, so the ferry ride is simply much more pleasant and eventful. Some south coast villages are remoted because the steep mountain slopes, rocketing into the sky straight out of the ocean reaching as far as 1200 metres above the sea level and make them inaccessible for cars.
We recommend this tour to the Askfipou table land when your hotel is in western Crete or in the south-west coast villages Sougia, Frangokastello, or Plakias.
Crete is the largest island in Greece and the 3rd largest in the Mediterranean. If you want to explore the Crete, you can plan your vacation with a combination trip or a rental car tour with 2 or 3 locations. Since the most beautiful hotels also have a minimum stay, you shouldn't plan more than 2 hotels in a week.
Great things come in small packages:
Embrace the colourful small villages of the northwest of Crete and its scenic nature reserves like Balos Lagoon and the Samaria Gorge in combination with the natural beauty of the South of Crete with a vast array of authentic taverns.
You can send us a request for the best combinations in Crete to take the most out of your vacation on Crete: info@kreta.com.
Information, images and videos about Askifou
