Sternes Travel Guide
Places to visit near our Sternes Villas
A short drive from Sternes, at Marathi beach, you will reach the archaeological site of ‘Ancient Minoa’, west of the pier, which was one of several Roman port cities in the Mediterranean. It is yet unclear if ‘Minoa’ was originally named after ‘Minos’, the mythic King of Crete. What we do know is that ‘Minoa’ became the term defining Bronze-Age port cities on the coasts of the islands of Crete, Paros, Siphnos, Amorgos and Corfu as well as the Italian island of Sicily. ‘Ancient Minoa’ in Marathi is fenced in, but you can see the remains of ancient baths and several buildings – with parts of a semicircular wall still standing – , through the fence.
A must visit while on the Akrotiri peninsula, only 10 minutes drive from Sternes, is the Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) Monastery. It was built in the 17th century in Byzantine style by two monks, brothers of a Venetian-Cretan family, on the site of a pre-existing church. From 1645, after the Ottoman occupation of Chania, building work was halted, and during the Greek War of Independence in 1821 the church was set on fire by the Ottomans, destroying many of its treasures.
Nine years later, permission was given for work to be resumed and the chapels were eventually completed in 1836, while the belfry was erected in 1864. Part of today’s exterior, such as its columns, date back to 1431. Several rare icons and other religious artefacts are housed in an interesting little museum, alongside a stunning golden altar, paintings and ornate interiors. The beautiful church is surrounded by lush gardens, with a variety of colourful plants and flowers, vineyards and olive groves.
The monks still cultivate the land and sell their organic produce, one can also take part in olive oil, honey, wine or raki tasting while visiting the monastery. The gardens are also perfect for a peaceful walk, and for little animal lovers, there are lots of friendly cats roaming around the monastery waiting to be stroked; – they might even curl up in your lap, while you are resting on one of the benches.
- Gouverneto Monastery & Hiking to Katholiko Bay
For those looking for a more active ‘Monastery Experience’, there is a breathtaking hike from Gouverneto (Virgin of the Angels) Monastery in the north of the Akrotiri peninsula (a 20 minute drive from Sternes, with parking available), to the crystal clear Katholiko Bay. According to online guides and blogs, this hike takes about 1-3 hours depending on your pace and experience – make sure to research well in advance! It starts at the beautiful 16th century Venetian Monastery, one of the oldest and best maintained in Crete. A small entrance fee towards the upkeep allows you to enjoy this building and the hike.
The journey down to the bay will take you to Arkoudospillio Cave, an ancient spot used for worship, originally dedicated to the Goddess Artemis and now to the Virgin Mary, with ruins of the Panagia Arkoudiotissa Church still intact inside the cave amongst dramatic stalactites and rock pools, through Avlaki Gorge and to the Moni Katholiko, considered to be the oldest monastery in Crete, dating back to the 6th or 7th century. The monastery was built on Saint John the Hermit’s cave, which has since been turned into a charming chapel where the Saint is celebrated every year on the 20th of September.
- Stavros Beach & ‘Zorbas The Greek’
Film lovers, head to Stavros Beach, one of the key filming locations for the iconic film ‘Zorbas the Greek’, a mountain flanked sandy beach with shallow waters, 20 minutes away from Sternes. A second filming location nearby is Kokkino Chorio in the beautiful Apokoronas region. In this little village you can also visit the Tzomponakis Glass Factory, where recycled glass is transformed into delicate mouth blown creations, which you can admire in the studio.
The historic site of Aptera is situated almost exactly opposite Sternes – on the other side of Souda Bay – near Megala Chorafia. In Greek mythology, Aptera features as the site of the legendary musical contest between Sirens and Muses. After their defeat the Sirens shed the feathers of their wings, and cast themselves off the cliffs into the sea. Aptera literally means “wingless”.
Don’t miss a visit to the Turkish Castle of Aptera (also known as Koules Fortress) when staying at our villas in Magala Chorafia. The castle has impressive views over the vast bay and is one of the best preserved 19th century structures in Crete, built by Hussein Avni. Its construction began a year after the Cretan revolt of 1866 as one of several defensive towers built to suppress any further revolutions and regain control of the area. Overlooking the valley of Apokoronas and the port of Souda, it had great strategic advantages.
It was in fact the biggest defensive structure of its time in the region, boasting two towers, one facing west (towards Kerameia), and the other facing east (towards Kalyves). After the end of the Turkish Occupation, the fortress was used as a school for local children in Megala Chorafia.
The archeological site is also home to the Ancient Theatre of Aptera, looking out towards the white mountains, which could once hold approximately 3700 spectators and was built during the Hellenistic period. It was later modified during the Roman occupation (approximately 1st century AD). The theatre was only fully excavated by archeologists between 2012 and 2015, and is now used to host a variety of concerts and performances.
This area further features a Minoan vaulted tomb and baths from the 1st and 2nd century, with detailed information in both Greek and English, making it convenient for visitors to explore at their own pace.
To get even the kids excited about the Minoan Civilisation, why not treat them to the Minoan’s World 9D Cinema in Chania, where they can fully immerse themselves in Cretan history in a unique way, with some fun special effects. The experience is available in 14 languages and includes several elaborate paintings and statues you can interact with to gain a new understanding of this ancient period. (20 min drive from Sternes).
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