The monument commemorates the destruction of the village by Nazi forces in 1941 and pays tribute to the resistance of the local people. It is a moving stop for understanding the region’s recent history.
Europe / Greece · TRAVEL GUIDE
Kandanos - SelinosCrete, regional unit of Chania · Greece
DISCOVER · PLAN · GO
No machine-readable author provided · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons
YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
One destination.
A thousand ways to live it.
Kandanos-Selino is a destination in western Crete where historical memory intertwines with mountain landscapes and beaches overlooking the Libyan Sea. Between lively , , and the inland gorges, it offers a varied and authentic itinerary, far from the island’s more heavily traveled routes.
6 places to see1 / 3 / 7-day itinerariesInteractive map
THE PLACES THAT TELL KANDANOS - SELINOS
Worth seeing, worth remembering.
Overlooking the Libyan Sea, this town is an ideal base for exploring the coast and the surrounding area. Its seafront, beaches, and narrow lanes invite a leisurely stop.
The ruins of the Venetian fortress dominate the headland and speak to the coast’s strategic past. From above, there are beautiful views of the sea and the town.
Reachable on foot or by sea, the site preserves remains of the ancient city, including a sanctuary and a theater. The secluded bay and surrounding landscape make the visit especially evocative.
This quiet coastal village is prized for its long pebble beach and relaxed atmosphere. It is also a starting point for excursions to Lissos and the inland trails.
The gorge cuts through a mountainous landscape rich in vegetation and offers a hiking route between rocky walls and shaded stretches. The trail ends near on the southern coast.
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 itinerary that combines the historical memory of the village of Kandanos with relaxation on the Blue Flag beaches of Paleochora.
- 1Kandanos Resistance Memorial
- 2Selino Castle (Venetian Fortress)
- 3Pachia Ammos Beach
- 4Historic Center of Paleochora
Three days discovering the wild soul of the region, between spectacular hikes and archaeological sites reachable only by sea.
- 1Historical Monument of Kandanos
- 2Agia Irini Gorge
- 3Coastal Village of Sougia
- 4Archaeological Site of Lissos
- 5Temple of Asclepius
- 6Anidri Gorge
- 7Gialiskari Beach
- 8Selino Castle in Paleochora
A full week to experience every nuance of Kandanos-Selinos, from the peaks of the Lefka Ori mountains to crystal-clear lagoons.
- 1Historic village of Kandanos
- 2Byzantine Churches of Kandanos and Kakodiki
- 3Temenia Springs
- 4Archaeological Site of Elyros
- 5Agia Irini Gorge (Trekking)
- 6Sougia Harbor
- 7Boat Trip to Lissos
- 8Grammeno Beach
- 9Krios Peninsula
- 10Selino Castle and Old Paleochora
- 11E4 Coastal Trail Paleochora-Elafonisi
- 12Chrysoskalitissa Monastery
- 13Elafonisi Lagoon
- 14Wild Kedrodasos Beach
GET YOUR BEARINGS, THEN EXPLORE
The city takes shape.
Stop after stop.
BEFORE YOU GO
A well-planned trip.
Getting around
Kandanos is located in the mountainous interior of southwestern Crete, so a car is the most practical way to explore the villages and reach the coast. The roads are often winding and narrow: allow for travel times longer than the distance might suggest. Buses connect some places in the area, but services can be infrequent and vary by season. If you’re traveling by public transport, check the updated timetables before you set off.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant times to visit Kandanos and the surrounding area: temperatures are mild and the landscapes invite walks and hikes. Summer brings long, sunny days, but inland the heat can be intense; plan outdoor activities for the morning or late afternoon. In winter the weather is cooler and wetter, especially in the mountain areas, and some services may have reduced hours.
Where to eat
In Kandanos and nearby villages, look for family-run tavernas where you can sample Cretan dishes made with local ingredients. Specialties worth trying include grilled meats, cheeses, seasonal vegetables, olive oil, and slow-cooked dishes. Outside peak season, some places may only open on certain days or at certain times, so it’s worth checking ahead. For a wider choice, also consider the larger centers in the Selino region.
Quick tips
- 01Stock up before heading into inland routes: gas stations can be far apart.
- 02Wear suitable shoes if you plan to walk on trails or dirt roads.
- 03In summer, keep water, sunscreen, and a hat with you, even for short trips.
- 04Before heading to a beach or an isolated village, check the route and public transport timetables.
YOUR STARTING POINT
Wake up in the right place.
Where to stay · Kandanos - Selinos
1 night · max 14 nights
Observed average price · EUR/night
1 night · 1 room · 2 adults · no children
Data still limited · Sample: up to 3 distinct hotels, 13 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 3 hotels with a LiteAPI price for this search, not the absolute lowest of the destination
Minos Country Living Apartments
Epar.Od. Chanion - Sougias, Agrilés
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$80
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
Minos Country Living Apartments
Epar.Od. Chanion - Sougias, Agrilés
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$80
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.
Margarita Αpartments Sea View
Palaiochóra, Chania, Palaiochóra
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$92
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.
Petra Studios
Paleochora, Palaiochóra
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
$97
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.
Manto Studios
Athanasiou Diakou 1, Palaiochóra
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Relax Hotel
Pachia Ammos, Palaiochóra
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Monastery Estate Retreat
Eparchiaki Odos Chanion - Sougias, Sougia
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Evriali Comfort Living
Παλαιόχωρα, Palaiochóra
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Idomeneas Apartments
Sougia, Sougia
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Libyan Princess
Main Street, Palaiochóra
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
Scorpios Family Rooms
Palaiochora, Palaiochóra, 73001, Greece, Palaiochóra
Bestprice price · Supplier: Nuitée/LiteAPI
Not available for these dates
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