Ancient Aptera
The ruins of this ancient city overlook Souda Bay and include remains from the Greek and Roman eras. Don’t miss the theater and the Roman cisterns.
Europe / Greece · TRAVEL GUIDE
ApokoronasCrete, Chania regional unit · Greece
DISCOVER · PLAN · GO
Vryses — C messier · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
One destination.
A thousand ways to live it.
Between the sea of Crete and the slopes of the White Mountains, Apokoronas wins visitors over with stone villages, olive groves and quiet beaches. It’s an ideal area for alternating nature walks, visits to historic sites and stops at village tavernas.
6 places to see1 / 3 / 7-day itinerariesInteractive map
THE PLACES THAT TELL APOKORONAS
Worth seeing, worth remembering.
Taxiarchos228 · FAL · Wikimedia Commons
Lake Kournas
Crete’s only natural freshwater lake is surrounded by hills and offers a perfect setting for a break in nature. In summer, you can rent pedal boats and spot turtles in the shallow waters.
Jerzy Strzelecki · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
This coastal village combines a long sandy beach with a small harbor and a lively center of tavernas and cafés. The chapel of Agios Nikolaos, reached by a walkway over the sea, is one of its most photographed sights.
Wolfgang Sauber · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
The traditional main town of the area, preserves stone houses, quiet alleys and an authentic atmosphere. It is also a great starting point for exploring the inland villages.
Overview, Gavalochori · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
This village is known for its traditional architecture and its folklore museum, dedicated to local customs and trades. In the surrounding area you’ll also find ancient wells and traces of Cretan history.
Benoît Prieur · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
This seaside resort offers a sheltered beach, clear waters and a selection of tavernas along the waterfront. It’s a pleasant stop for swimming and enjoying the view over Souda Bay.
CHOOSE YOUR PACE
How much time
do you have to get lost?
From a first stroll to a week of discoveries. A starting point to make your own.
An essential journey through traditional stone architecture, local history, and Crete's only natural lake.
- 1Vamos
- 2Gavalochori
- 3Kournas Lake
- 4Almyrida
Three days discovering the secrets of the inland area and seaside relaxation along the northern coast.
- 1Let’s go
- 2Gavalochori
- 3Gavalochori Historical Folklore Museum
- 4Lake Kournas
- 5Georgioupoli
- 6Agios Nikolaos Chapel
- 7Almyrida
- 8Kalives
A full week of immersion combining archaeology, natural springs, local cuisine and hidden coves.
- 1Vamos
- 2Gavalochori
- 3Lake Kournas
- 4Georgioupoli
- 5Agios Nikolaos Chapel
- 6Almyrida
- 7Plaka
- 8Kalyves
- 9Ancient Aptera
- 10Itzedin Fortress
- 11Vrises
- 12Kefalas
- 13Omprosgialos
- 14Douliana
GET YOUR BEARINGS, THEN EXPLORE
The city takes shape.
Stop after stop.
BEFORE YOU GO
A well-planned trip.
How to get around
The car is the most convenient way to explore Apokoronas, as it makes it easy to reach both the inland villages and the beaches. The main roads are generally smooth, while mountain roads can be narrow and winding: drive carefully and allow extra time. KTEL buses connect Chania with some coastal destinations, including , but services to inland villages can be infrequent. Check the updated timetables before setting off, especially in the evening and out of season. In historic centers such as and , it’s best to park on the outskirts and continue on foot.
When to go
From May to June and from September to October, the climate is pleasant, the sea is often suitable for swimming, and the villages are less crowded than in peak season. July and August are ideal for those looking for very hot days and a lively seaside atmosphere, but they require booking in advance and protecting yourself from the sun. In spring, the inland areas are especially green and in bloom; in winter, the pace is quiet, but some tourist services may reduce their hours or close.
Where to eat
To sample Cretan cuisine, look for tavernas in the inland villages and in coastal spots such as and Kalyves. Menus often feature dakos, seasonal vegetables, local cheeses, grilled meats and fish, as well as slow-cooked dishes like lamb. Tavernas popular with locals are a good choice for generous portions and seasonal ingredients; ask about the dishes of the day. At the end of the meal, it is common to receive a small dessert or a complimentary shot from the house.
Quick tips
- 01In summer, book your car and accommodation in advance, especially if you’re traveling in August.
- 02Bring cash for small tavernas and village shops: not all of them accept cards.
- 03For inland excursions, wear comfortable shoes and bring water, even in the cooler months.
- 04Check bus and ferry schedules close to departure time: they may vary by season.
YOUR STARTING POINT
Wake up in the right place.
Where to stay · Apokoronas
1 night · max 14 nights
Observed average price · EUR/night
1 night · 1 room · 2 adults · no children
Data still limited · Sample: up to 1 distinct hotels, 8 real searches in the last 48 hours, for this query. Not the official average of the destination and not guaranteed to be representative.
Arrival date
Lowest price among the hotels found
among 1 hotels with a LiteAPI price for this search, not the absolute lowest of the destination
Drosia Hotel
Georgioupolis, Georgioupolis
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$47
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Prices are real for the searched dates and may change. Click a point on the chart to change arrival keeping the length of stay.
Real prices for your dates
Drosia Hotel
Georgioupolis, Georgioupolis
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$47
total 1 night
2 adults
OTA comparison · indicative only
OTA comparison · indicative only: Not available
OTAs may have different taxes, board and cancellation: no savings claimed.
Kiani Beach Resort Family All Inclusive
Kiani Akti, Kalyves
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Aloe Boutique Hotel & Suites - adults only
Almyrida Beach Road, Almirida
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Kalyves Beach Hotel
Kalyves Apokoronas, Kalyves
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Aptera Paradise With Sea View
Aptera, Megála Khoráfia, Chania, Megála Khoráfia
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Areti Aparthotel
Aptera, Megala Khorafia, Áptera
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Pinelopi Beach Suites
Eparchiaki Odos Georgioupolis-Kournas, Georgioupolis
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Almyrida Village & Waterpark
Almirida, Almirida
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Olympic View Guesthouse
Kalami Apokoronou, Kalami
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Akti Galinis - Beachfront Hotel
Kalyves Chania, Kalyves
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
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