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North West Crete - Almirida, Kalives, Plaka, Kokkino Chorio & Gavalochori

 


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Local Beach
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Local Taverna
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Local " Harbour"

 

Almirida and Kalives are situated in the Apokoronas region to the east of Chania which is where most of our holiday villas are. Apokoronas is one of the most picturesque areas of the province of Chania with attractive villages dotted all around. The main village of the region is Vamos where you will find full facilities including a 24 hour health centre.

Quote from a client - August 2011 - "Highly recommend the Dream speedboat trip from Almyrida – best day of the holiday vote by all (3 teenagers and 2 older!)".

Quote from a client - June 2011 - "Like everyone else we have used the local shops and thought the food at the tavernas in Plaka was very good. We also ate at Lagos in Almirida where the food was fantastic, all beautiful and freshly cooked. We can also recommend Almirida beach which is very family friendly with warm sea and gently sloping sands which are safe for children".

Quote from a client - June 2011 - "This is our first visit to Crete and we enjoyed every minute of it, it is such a beautiful island and Plaka is wonderful, very peaceful and relaxing with a good selection of tavernas in the square and a little supermarket for provisions - the man who owns it is very helpful!! Almyrida is lovely too with a bigger selection of tavernas, a great bakery and a lovely beach". 

Quote from a client - September 2010 -  "We loved Chania and recommend it. The drive south to Chora Sfakion is spectacular. Another great drive is to Georgioupolis via Kokkino Chorio with village after village unchanged by time. Sunday lunch in one of the tavernas in Gavalochori surrounded by Greek families enjoying each other's company was great fun."

Quote from a client - August 2010 - "Almirida has good beaches and tavernas. Great 2 hour trip with George on the Crete Dream rib around the coast to the Octopus bar and back - snorkelling included. Fabulous holiday. Many thanks."

Quote from a client - August 2010  - "Great beaches at Almirida, Kalives and Georgioupolis. Fab food at all the resorts, just follow the locals and you won't go far wrong".

The White Mountains dominate the area and provide a dramatic backdrop to the sandy beaches at Almirida and Kalives. In the last few years visitors from Northern Europe have become so enchanted with Apokoronas that many have bought homes here which has brought new life and tourist facilities to the area. This also means that there are now sophisticated and luxury villas available to rent in this part of Crete. Most of our properties are situated slightly inland, a little bit removed from the madding crowd, in the most sought after locations but with beaches and the sea close at hand.

The large bay that makes up the seaside resorts of Almirida and Kalives has many separate, safe, sandy beaches, usually with full facilities. Almirida, once a fishing village is now a thriving seaside resort. Tavernas and bars line the sea front. There are a couple of mini-markets, a bakery, patisserie, a wine shop and a newsagents. There is a windsurfing school, a scuba diving centre and boat trips are available with Captain Nick. Mountain bikes can be hired and there is also a small taxi rank. The Almirida Beach Hotel is open to non residents and has internet facilities as well as a 10 pin bowling lane. There is a limited bus service to Kalives and Chania. At the entrance to Almirida archaeologists discovered an ancient Mosaic which belongs to the 5th century. Other archaeological finds have been unearthed about 10 minutes away at Aptera, between Kalives and Chania.

Kalives is a working village as well as being a tourist destination so in addition to the beaches, tavernas, bars and tourist shops you will find many local shops as well as a fairly big supermarket of the INKA chain. Banking, post office, pharmacy and petrol station facilities are available in Kalives. There is a bus service to Chania.

Plaka – approx 25 kms east of Chania and just above above Almirida; once a sleepy place of approx 250 inhabitants, Plaka has grown over the last few years as people have discovered its charms and moved into the area. You could come to Plaka for a holiday and never move out of the village because it has everything you need, a petrol station, well stocked mini markets, tavernas and a couple of bars that are popular with locals and tourists alike. The area around Plaka has so much to offer that it would be a shame not to explore the other local villages. There are many marked walks and pathways in the immediate area. Local transport and taxis are available in Almirida.

Kokkino Chorio - Just a few minutes drive up the hill from Plaka, Kokkino Chorio is famous for its part in the filming of Zorba The Greek; nearly all the village participated. Anthony Quinn is still talked about in the village kafenions!! There's a fine traditional taverna in the village square. The village boasts some of the most stunning views out to sea and has deservedly become a desirable location both for permanent residence and as a holiday destination. There is a glass blowing factory in the village with a shop and a café – don’t forget to re-cycle your bottles.

Gavalochori - The historical village of Gavalochori is situated just a few kms inland from Almirida, on the road to Vamos and was named after the Byzantine family Gavalodon who lived there about 1200AD. The village has many old buildings which are being lovingly restored and make this village much sought after. In the centre of the village is a shop exhibiting traditional arts and crafts of the local women. There is also a folklore museum. Kafenion and tavernas edge the village square inviting you to sit and to pass the time away.

Walking in the area around Almirida and Kalives - there is a great deal to interest walkers in this lush area. Extending about 10 kms  or so inland it is rich in olive and citrus groves, pasture lands and tiny hamlets rarely visited by tourists. In the spring-time, the fields, groves and tracks abound in an endless variety of flora including many species which are endemic to Crete.  Keen birdwatchers will find a large number of local as well as migratory birds to see, ranging from tiny warblers to large buzzards and even the odd kite! 

 

Almirida Bay