Discover South West Crete
From Paleochora - Sougia - Moni - Agia Roumeli - Finix - Loutro - to Hora Sfakia.
Sougia and the Village of Moni
Sougia is a quiet place with a wide and long pebble beach, a few family-owned hotels and self-catering accommodation, bars-cafes, and tavernas, all in a very relaxed and laid-back atmosphere. Sougia more info, where to stay, to eat and more.
Stay Monastery Estate
4km outside Sougia lies the little village of Moni positioned on the hillside. St Nikolas chapel built in early 1300 and the Chapel of Holy Mary is worth visiting. The Monastery Estate guesthouse is the place to stay. Monastery Estate operates 2 hotels. One in Chania and the one in Moni.
How to get to Sougia
You can drive to Sougia, from Paleochora, it takes around 30-40 minutes. Ideal, if you like to visit and stay for a day. Excellent taxi service by
Anendyk ferries
If you prefer to take the ferry. Between April and October, there is a daily ferry connection from Paleochora. There is also a ferry connecting to Sougia with Hora Sfakion, Loutro and Agia Roumeli.
The timetable for Anendyk ferries here.
Hiking from Sougia to Agia Roumeli
2011 by Ponteefex, thank you.
A video of his hike along the toughest part of the Cretan section of the E4, the 20 km stretch of rough hiking paths between Sougia and Agia Roumeli, completed under the burning sun of mid-July.
Agia Roumeli
is situated at the “bottom end” of Samaria Gorge and the village is not connected to any road network. To get here is by boat or to walk.
Walking, relaxing, swimming, and visiting the local tavernas. Selection between family-run Hotels, Guest Houses, Apartments. More info about Agia Roumeli, where to stay, to eat and what to do.
Agia Roumeli boat service is via Hora Sfakia, Loutro, Sougia, and Paleochora. Anendyk Ferries
Agia Roumeli village
Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge
which claims to be Europe’s longest (it’s a 16km hike), can be visited as a day-trip or as part of a longer excursion. It’s demanding– you’ll feel it the next day – the path is rough and it’s not a walk to be undertaken lightly, avoid the walk during the summer month of July and August.
Walking boots or solid shoes are vital. Bring plenty of water. Normal walking pace, with regular stops, the walk down takes between five and seven hours (though you can do it quicker)
Samaria, you cannot get better information than this.
Beware of the kilometer markers: these mark only distances within the National Park and it’s a further 2km of hot walking before you reach the sea at Agía Roumeli.
Mountainous South West Crete
and the views from the ferry towards the massive mountains are impressive, here and there broken by gorges and more or less deserted beaches, and then the small bay of Phoenix (Finix).
The old Phoenix hotel and taverna is nicely positioned on the bay of Phoenix.
The old Phoenix hotel and taverna
A small pebble beach shaded here and there from large tamarisk trees. It’s about 20-25 minutes walk from the picturesque village of Loutro, with its unique atmosphere and location, simply wonderful.
Sfakia Village
Sfakia region
is located on the southern slope of the White Mountains it combines high mountains which drop steeply into the Libyan sea, deep gorges and a wealth of unspoiled natural beauty.
The Sfakia region has about 2,700 inhabitants. There is no mass tourism here because of the inaccessible mountain terrain and road distance with lots of roads bends from the airports and main ports of Crete.
The region of Sfakia was the center of resistance against the Venetians and the Turks and other, later invaders.
It was also here in the Sfakia region that the evacuation of the remnants of Creforce took place end of May 1941. See NZ history article - The battle for Crete here -
Sfakia Village taverna terrace
Hora Sfakia Village
is a smallish village, less than 400 people live here. Family small owned hotels, self-catering some on the seafront as well as bars and tavernas. For a good stroll, the seafront promenade with its sun shaded covering is very popular.
Port with boat service to Paleochora, Sougia, Agia Roumeli, Loutro and to the island of Gavdos.
