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South Crete

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  • Crete South Crete
  • Crete South Crete
On the trail of the hippies. South Crete is characterised by striking contrasts. South crete means secluded hidden beaches, remoted villages and rocky landscapes with gorges opened to the Mediterranean Sea.Tourism in the South of Crete have not yet been developed to such an extent as the North-Coast. As there are only a few comfortable holiday homes and villas, you must book far ahead to realise your dream in the South. All kind of accommodation in the South of Crete; holiday homes, cottages and villas are designed to be very true to their natural surroundings.South Crete will force you to kick back, slow down and admire the views and the wonderful scenic landscapes.

small hotels with welcoming owners, distinctive and unusual accommodation properties, special places to visit, and hidden gems. For peace and quiet, and great views coming as standard, nothing beats staying in a traditional guesthouse to get off the beaten track. If you're looking to experience Crete's amazing South Coast and it´s stunning hidden beaches, a great option is a seaside self-catering accommodation. In our website you will find unusual places to stay in South Crete. This region offers a varied coastline, picturesque beaches and island adventures in the mountain area with plenty of gorges offering outdoor pursuits. This destination is a paradise for ramblers, mountaineers and nature lovers. The most popular gorges are the Samaria Gorge, the Aradena Gorge, the Imbros Gorge, the Agia Irini Gorge. The Agia Irini Gorge and the Imbros Gorge can be passed through with children. The most famous plains are: the Askifou-Plateau (south western Crete), Omalos Plateau (western Crete), Messara Plateau (south eastern Crete) and Lassithi Plateau. In our program for South Crete we offer a selection of well kept small hotels, apartments, holiday homes, traditional cottages and villas without compromising on comfort. For our discoverer we offer our Crete Self drive Tours "Crete South Coast Stars“ and "Southern Crete“. The most popular coastal villages are Paleochora, Frangokatello, Sfakia, Plakias, Agia Galini, Matala, Lentas, Ierapetra, and Xerokampos. Each of them with its distinctive beauty.

Southern Crete is a natural playground which begs to be explored, while the region's turbulent history has left behind some of the most beautiful remains.
If you really want to explore Southern Crete, head out on a road trip. A self-driving holiday gives you complete flexibility to go where you want, and to veer away from the well-trodden tourist trails. Also, take advantage of our self-drive-tours with the best hotels in southern Crete benefits: go offbeat, stay in an unusual neighbourhood – use it as an opportunity to explore like a local. Discover the sweeping landscapes and colourful villages
Information, images and videos about South Crete

Expert travel guide South Crete

On the trail of the hippies. South Crete is characterised by striking contrasts. South crete means secluded hidden beaches, remoted villages and rocky landscapes with gorges opened to the Mediterranean Sea.Tourism in the South of Crete have not yet been developed to such an extent as the North-Coast. As there are only a few comfortable holiday homes and villas, you must book far ahead to realise your dream in the South. All kind of accommodation in the South of Crete; holiday homes, cottages and villas are designed to be very true to their natural surroundings.South Crete will force you to kick back, slow down and admire the views and the wonderful scenic landscapes.

small hotels with welcoming owners, distinctive and unusual accommodation properties, special places to visit, and hidden gems. For peace and quiet, and great views coming as standard, nothing beats staying in a traditional guesthouse to get off the beaten track. If you're looking to experience Crete's amazing South Coast and it´s stunning hidden beaches, a great option is a seaside self-catering accommodation. In our website you will find unusual places to stay in South Crete. This region offers a varied coastline, picturesque beaches and island adventures in the mountain area with plenty of gorges offering outdoor pursuits. This destination is a paradise for ramblers, mountaineers and nature lovers. The most popular gorges are the Samaria Gorge, the Aradena Gorge, the Imbros Gorge, the Agia Irini Gorge. The Agia Irini Gorge and the Imbros Gorge can be passed through with children. The most famous plains are: the Askifou-Plateau (south western Crete), Omalos Plateau (western Crete), Messara Plateau (south eastern Crete) and Lassithi Plateau. In our program for South Crete we offer a selection of well kept small hotels, apartments, holiday homes, traditional cottages and villas without compromising on comfort. For our discoverer we offer our Crete Self drive Tours "Crete South Coast Stars“ and "Southern Crete“. The most popular coastal villages are Paleochora, Frangokatello, Sfakia, Plakias, Agia Galini, Matala, Lentas, Ierapetra, and Xerokampos. Each of them with its distinctive beauty.

Southern Crete is a natural playground which begs to be explored, while the region's turbulent history has left behind some of the most beautiful remains.
If you really want to explore Southern Crete, head out on a road trip. A self-driving holiday gives you complete flexibility to go where you want, and to veer away from the well-trodden tourist trails. Also, take advantage of our self-drive-tours with the best hotels in southern Crete benefits: go offbeat, stay in an unusual neighbourhood – use it as an opportunity to explore like a local. Discover the sweeping landscapes and colourful villages... continue

Videos, images, hotel-recommendations with best hotel deals in South Crete

Where to stay and to go in South Crete
You don't know where to stay in Crete? Looking for inspiration?
Our Website ist designed with you in mind. The detailed descriptions of our accommodations and destinations should help you make the right choice. Take a look at our photos and videos to get a taste. Have you already checked everything? You are still undecided? Need help to get started? Let's plan your vacation. Talk to us. We are not a call center or an anonymous company. Send us a request with your preferences and you will get tailor-made proposals.
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Agia Galini
Agia Galini is a small, but all the more so lively location on Crete`s southern coast, 75 km from the Capital Heraklion. Built right up the hillside, tavernas and studios jostle each other (the meaning of the place name is holy sea tranquillity!). Some streets are pedestrian only and a small harbour completes the picture. Those who have a room with a sea view have a beautiful vista in and over the Bay. Pure holiday mood! The beautiful beach (which in summer can get very hot) is only a few minutes walk away. At the port of Agia Galini watersport-providers offering boat-tours. They offer trips to Preveli and (in good weather) also to Gavdos.
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Agia Roumeli
The car free seaside village Agia Roumeli serves as the reloading point for hikers of the Samaria Gorge ( Nature Reserve and the Cretan National Park). There are several refreshment locations for the tired wayfarer and ferry connections to Sougia in the West and Chora Sfakion in the East. The surrounding area is spectacular. The mountains rise up steeply. With good eyesight it is possible to see a small Venetian ruined fort. In the small car-free seaside village of Agia Roumeli are several taverns for the exhausted hiker and a small harbour with ship connections to the villages Sougia and Chora Sfakion, where the hikers are awaiting from the coaches to bring them back to their pick up point.
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Anatoli
The small mountain village Anatoli is 30-minutes’ drive, 17 km, from the coastal town of Ierapetra in the south coast of Crete. To the Port of Agios Nikolaos 30 Km , about 45 minutes’ drive. It is an ancient, historical, traditional village with 666 habitants, situated at an altitude of 600 m with 2 Tavernas and 2 coffee shops. Due to the government assistance programs several old farm houses are restored. I hope the beautiful old Fountain Square will also been restored soon. Anatoli is located 9.8 km south of the wildlife refuge “Gianna Koryfi” it is a protected area for flora and fauna since 2001. This area is bordered from the Lassithi Plateau. From Anatoli to the "Selekano Forest" only 10 minutes’ drive, 13.8 Km. On the way you will pass the picturesque mountain villages Males and Christos.
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Chora Sfakion
"Europe is the heart of the world, Greece the heart of Europe, Crete the heart of Greece, and SFAKIA the heart of Crete" the locals say in Sfakia.This is what the locals call their town "The Heart of CRETE". The Sfakioten are very proud people who over the centuries were never really taken over by the occupying forces of Crete. Proud Cretans with their long riding-boots are still in evidence here.
The ferry goes to Gavdos from here and buses are on hand to take up the bulk of the Samaria hikers. Chora Sfakion is a good starting point for hikes such as:
the "Ilingas" gorge, the wild "Aradena" gorge and the hike from Anopolis to the car-free city of Loutro.
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Elafonissi Video!
The Lagoon Elafonissi is one of the Europeans most popular nature reserve in the Southwest of Crete. Sand dunes with fine sand embrace the large lagoon. An easy slope invites for snorkeling in the lagoon, for adults and kids alike. Have a browse through our destination - decription and get yourself in the holiday mood with our video! Coral reefs serve as wave breakers. Fine traces of red coral leave a deposit on the waterfront and offer a fantastic light show in the water.The water is very clear and shallow so that you can walk well around the isles.
Elafonissi is located 49 km southwards from the coastal village Kolimbari, about 1 hour drive and 1 hour 2o minutes drive from Chania Town. The way is the goal. Driving southwards from the coastal Village Kolimbari to the Lagoon Elafonissi you will see varied landscapes, all what Crete can offer. As the Beach of Elafonissi is a nature reserve it is well organized. You will find there toilettes and changing cubicle. Nearly 800 m on a hill there is a café and a small restaurant with traditional food and panoramic view to the lagoon. On the offshore Island “Elafonissi” you will find a nature trail through the dunes.
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Frangokastello Video!
Frangokastello is located on the southwest coast of Crete, about 65 km from the city of Chania. Frangokastello belongs to the prefecture of Chania. One of my favorite track, the way is the goal: the itinerary from Chania in the main direction "Vrisses" to the Askifou plain and then parallel to the "Imbros" gorge down to Frangokastello. A discovery for all senses. Have a browse through our destination - decription and get yourself in the holiday mood with our video! The section of Askifou-Table-Land winding through the white mountains towards to the coastal village of Frangokastello. And yet Frangokastello stretch of a coastline of 4 km sandy beaches is not nearly as well-known as other south-coast-parts of Crete, such as Plakias or Paleochora. But its stunning scenery is just as compelling as the other south-coast-villages. The fortification and several gorges dot the mountainous landscape.
You will be accompanied by the scents of wild herbs, cedar and cypress trees to the coast region to Frangokastello. While the surrounding canyons, valleys and plateaus of Frangokastello are very green, the coastal region is quite dry. This region has golden sandy beaches. Frangokastello is a paradise for ramblers, sun seekers, mountaineers and nature lovers, but not for luxury lovers. There are only a few small family run hotels and cottages. There are now 12 tavernas, 3 supermarkets. It is a hamlet with few accommodations with only one road. Frangokastello is a popular destination for individualists and for the locals. Some Cretans build their weekend cottage here. Getting to Frangokastello is easy. The motorway is well maintained and sign posted in latin letters. The motorway leads from the Askifou Plateau through some short tunnels to the south coast. Very impressive is the last part of the road. Panoramic sea views from over 400 m sea level to the coastal region of Frangokastello and to the island Gavdos.
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Ierapetra
Ierapetra is the most southerly town in Europe and surrounded by countless vegetable plantations. Many of our fruits are cultivated here. The temperatures are extremely hot in the summer and wonderfully mild in the winter. The town´s pride and joy is the waterfront promenade. A fort remains from Venetian times and a mosque in the old town (the original Turkish area) from the Turks. The distance from Ierapetra to the north coast is only about 18 km. Heraklion on the north coast 96 km. This coastal region is very dry and bare, but only a few kilometers inland you will be more surprised when the lush vegetation of "Males" dominates the landscape. Males is a wooded area. 15 km from Ierapetra in the inland. The city of Ierapetra with its surrounding area has a total of approximately 27,000 inhabitants who mainlywork in agriculture. Ierapetra belongs to the Lassithi Prefecture.
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Kalamaki
Kalamaki is a small town in the southeast of Crete. In the hinterland lies the beautiful Messara plain. Well-known places in the region are Tymbaki, Pitsidia, Mires and Matala. The ambience of the former hippy colony is still in the air. The place runs parallel to the same named beach. The sandy-pebble beach (with some rocks) is several kilometers long and connects to Komos Beach in the south. Parts of Komos Beach are a popular place for naturist enthusiasts.
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Koutsounari
The small village of Koutsounari is about 10 km east of Ierapetra. Most of the holiday homes blend in with the landscape. The beach is made up of small pebbles but they are very easy to walk on. There are some tavernas, shops for those who are self-catering. The inland is ideal for longer hikes. A hire car should be part of the holiday budget. The most hotels in the region of Koutousnari are small family run hotels.
The seaside village Koutsounari is located in the southeast of the island and belong to the Lassithi Prefecture. Koutsounari is about 10 km from the south coast town of Ierapetra and 43 km from the north coast town of Agios Nikolaos. The small south coast village of Koutsounari, which was only created in the 1970s, lies on a slope of the Sitia Mountains. The place is an offshoot of the mountain village "Agios Ioanis". There are few small private accommodations, no nighlife! There are 2 taverns on the beach. It is the southernmost region in Europe. In midsummer it can get very hot in Koutsounari.
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Lentas
The small remoted village of Lentas (Lendas) is a place for those seeking to find a place that’s dedicated to your personal tranquility. Lentas is located in the soutn-east of Crete. 1,20 hours´drive from the capital and airport Heraklion. Comming from the airport Heraklion driving southwards to the Village Lendas you ´ll pass the impressive "Mesara-Table-Land". Lentas lies at the foot of a steep towering southern coast mountain. There is no one to disturb you here. To the west is a fantastic sandy beach with a few tavernas. The second beach is for nudists. Lentas (Lendas) has been famous for its good drinking water since antiquity and it is said to possess healing qualities. Those who stay a couple of days should not miss the Saturday market in the mountain village of Mires.

Hiking tips for the south coast village Lentas / Lendas in South-Crete:
Be careful in this coastline you hike through shadowless terrain.We recommend to hike after you have previously acclimatized.
Through the summit plateau of "Kofinas".
On this hike you can observe nesting vultures and eagles, however, you must be absolutely free from vertigo.
The hike starts from the "Ano Kapetania" car park. The trail is bad and sometimes not marked at all!
An other adventure the wallback with most difficult is the round tour through the pine forest to the place of pilgrimage Moni Koudouma. The hiking area around Lentas / Lendas is very poorly marked and only suitable for experienced hikers, since the tours were rated only for experienced hikers with the highest degree of difficulty.br>
Important information: There is still no petrol station and ATM in Lentas!
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Loutro
Loutro is one-of-a-kind on Crete there is not one street connecting the village to the outside world, Loutro is a car-free-village. A regular ship traffic supplies this small village on the steep south coast. Comming from airport Chania dirving 70 km southward to the south-coast village Sfakia. There is a ferry-connection from the seaside village Sfakia tou the village Loutro.
If you missed the ferry, you can take the water taxi. We still recommend booking a rental car. You can leave your rental car in Chora Sfakion (Sfakia) at the port ( there is a parking space), from where you can also take the ferry to Loutro. You can buy the ferry tickets directly at the pier. The small town of Loutro is located in a bay surrounded by steep slopes. The pebble beach of Loutro always glows white. In contrast, the turquoise blue sea and the rugged mountains.
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Makri Gialos
The small coastal village of Makri Gialos (approx. 4204 inhabitants together with the region of Koutsouras) comes with a fine sandy beach belongs to the municipality of the coastal harbor town of Ierapetra and is located 120 km from the capital Heraklion and its airport.
The small coastal village of Makri Gialos has a small port and is located opposite the island of Koufonisi (nature reserve). 35 minutes´drive to Ierapetra (25.5 km), to the north coast town of Agios Nikolaos it is approx. 90 minutes´dirve, 60 km. It is 33 km to the north coast town of Sitia. The port of Makri Gialos and the bay is surrounded from several taverns offering traditional cuisine. Sunbeds and parasols at the beach are available.
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Matala Video!
On the trail of the Hippies to the seaside village Matala.
Matala is located at the south coast of Crete, 66 km from the Capital Heraklion and its airport. The small village of Matala became famous through the hippies in the 60s. They lived in caves on the edge of a beautiful west facing sandy beach. The caves are centuries old. According to legend, Zeus, the father of the gods, went ashore here with the king´s daughter, Europa. Today the caves are protected.
Matala the little south-coast village with the stunning sandy beach is surrounded by taverns and cafes. If you are seeking for luxury hotels in Matala, you are going to be disappointed. Matala stands for simplicity, only simple guest houses, small family run hotels and small apartment hotels are offered.
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Paleochora Video!
The small village of Paleochora is about 75 km away from Chania in Southwest Crete near the foot of the White Mountains. The drive from Tavronitis on the north coast takes about 70 minutes. The surrounding area is fertile so there are still many locals working the land. Tourism is limited and the area is embellished with small, family run hotels. The dream beaches on the western side and the quaint tavernas on the eastern side form a frame around the small village. Further cultural points of interest in the vicinity are wonderful Byzantine churches and archaeological sites like Lissos. Paleochora has developed into a refuge for hikers and ramblers. Many walkers plan and begin their coastal hikes here in an easterly direction along the steep sides of the mountains. Sougia, Agia Roulmeli, Loutro and Sfakia can all be part of the hike or for some stretches one can take a ferry.
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Plakias
Plakias is one of the most picturesque seaside villages of Crete´s South coast surrounded by fantastic small hidden bays. Located around 114 km from Heraklion Airport and 93 km from Chania and 39 km from Rethymnon. Coming from Rethymnon past the impressive Kourtaliotiko Gorge, the Plakias Bay opens up. Because of the fantastic sandy beaches this region becomes more and more popular. Tavernas are dotted close together at the small harbour from where boats go to the palm beach of Preveli. The main beach of Plakias is a gently sloping sandy beach. This 1.5 km long sandy beach is surrounded by small tavernas and cafes.
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Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge, with its 18 km length, is the longest gorge in Europe. This gorge is part of the Crete White Mountain National Park in western Crete. Like the other Cretan gorges, the Samaria Gorge is a riverbed and in the wintertime it is full of water. This spectacular gorge is open from the beginning of May till the end of October and sometimes from the beginning of April, provided there has been no heavy rain in the previous months. As the Samaria Gorge is the most famous gorge, you may rest assured that there will be crowds of walkers but it is, however, a "must" for nature lovers.

The rule for this gorge is:
you must wear the right clothes and shoes for walking and hiking. The Samaria Gorge is the home of the Cretan ibex (antelope) the "Kri-Kri". The gorge is situated in western Crete. The starting point is Xyloskalo, which is situated in the Omalos tableland. In the gorge you will find the most famous Cretan herb the "DIKTAMNUS". In earlier times, a young man who wished to make his feelings of love known to a young woman would present her with a stalk of Crete Diktamus. This herb is used to make tea; Diktamus tea has a bitter taste, you have to add Cretan honey, not sugar! You can use this tea if you have stomach ache or a headache. The Samaria Gorge - Path is mainly downhill.
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Sougia
The south-coast-village Sougia is a very quiet and remoted place with a small port. The location is popular with back packers, hikers and day-trippers comming for hiking. Hikers comming from the Samaria Gorge or Agia Irini Gorge by boat are collected here by bus to take them back to their pick up points. The accommodations in Sougia are simply but appealing to those seeking simplicity. The beach tavernas are very cosy and the beach often empty. Experienced hikers can take the European Path E4 for hiking to the coastal village of Paleochora. Sougia is also the final stop for those comming out from the Agia Irini Gorge. The Gorge is just as amazing as the well reknown Samaria Gorge but there are far fewer visitors.
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Triopetra Video!
Triopetra Beach is located at the South coast of Crete, the name is derived from the three sea- rocks. The small village (hamlet) Triopetra comes with a sandy beach and belongs to the municipality of Rethymnon. To the next larger south coast village of Plakias 21 km. To the hidden sandy beach of Agios Pavlos only 6.5 km, to Ligres Beach 5 km, to Agia Fotini Beach 7,5 km. Get ready for this beauty that is out of this world. Indulge in a stroll along any of Triopetra's 3 long sandy beaches of this remote stretch of land in the South of Crete. The small village of Triopetra can be reached via a very winding side road from the mountain village of Spili. From the larger south coast town of Plakias to Triopetra it is approx. 46 minutes. To the north coast town of Rethymnon to Triopetra, it is 47km approx. 1 hour drive.
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Xerokampos Video!
Crete South Coast - A twisty road heads towards to Xerokampos, a hidden beach with some taverns in the South East of Crete. The 3 beaches of Xerokampos are covered with white sand. The small salt lake of Xerokampos forming a lagoon, an ideal refuge for birds, Flamingos! In the summer time you´ll see a dry lake, but when you visit xerokampos in the winter time or spring time you will see it is flooded with water. From the North coastal town Sitia to Xerokampos you have to drive 1 hour (44km): The nearest village is Zakros, 11 Km 20 minutes drive. From Airport Heraklion to Xerokampos 3 hours drive 167 km. To the south coast town Ierapetra 1 hour 40 minutes drive. Due to the long distances from the towns of Lassithi, Xerokambos is one of the most remote areas of the island. Petrol station, Pharmacy or butcher can be found at the Coastal Village Zakros 20 minutes drive, for withdrawing cash (ATM) you have to drive up to the mountain Village Ziros 44 Km, 30 minutes drive.
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Crete: South Crete
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