Tavronitis Travel Guide
A list of interesting places to visit in the area:
In Kamisiana, where one of our Tavronitis villas is located, you will find Terra Creta, local olive oil producers, and their mill set between shady olive groves. Here you can take a tour and learn about the olive oil manufacturing process from harvesting to bottling, with a guided tour of the mill followed by olive oil tasting.
Apropos olives, – why not visit the famous 3000 year old olive tree in Vouves, 10 minutes drive from Tavronitis, branches of which were awarded to the marathon winners of the 2004 Athens Olympics, as a symbolic gesture, a nod to the olive wreaths which used to crown the winner of the running race at the ancient Olympic Games. You will also find an ethnographic museum around olive cultivation, housed in a rustic 19th century farmhouse and a traditional taverna, with lovely village and countryside views, serving authentic local Cretan food and sweet treats.
About 30 minutes drive from Tavronitis, you will reach Polyrinia, an important city-state founded during the Doric/Geometric period, around the 8th century BC, and the village with the same name. The ancient acropolis, from which the entire western part of the island was once controlled, was erected in a strategic elevated position offering a view that allowed control over the entire western part of the island, overlooking both the Cretan Sea to the north and the land stretching down to the Libyan Sea in the South.
On top of the Acropolis was a temple dedicated to the Greek Goddess Dyktyna (a local Cretan goddess often identified with the Greek goddess Artemis). Although a church was built on the foundations of the temple in the 19th century, you can still visit the ancient altar within the church’s walls. Polyrinia continued to flourish in the Roman period, when the centre of power shifted to its port, Cisamus (Kissamos), and lasted into Byzantine times. A Roman aqueduct built in the age of Hadrian improved water supplies. The aqueduct can still be viewed, with the most impressive and visible remains located near Kissamos.
To the west, Kolymvari, once a little fishing village, makes a nice day out. Developed over the past decade, it now features chic restaurants, bars and beach cafès along the seafront. Nowadays you can enjoy a variety of watersports at Kolymvari’s idyllic mountain backed beach, such as snorkeling, paddle boarding and diving, or you can take a boat trip to the beautiful Balos Lagoon and other (more hidden) beaches. The Port of Kolymvari to the west of the village had been used for trade since the Minoan era, and under Venetian rule was an important connection between Crete and the rest of Europe.
The historic Moni Gonia Monastery, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is situated just north of the port. The monastery was repeatedly heavily damaged by Ottoman bombardment. Evidence of the last attack during the Cretan Revolt (1866–1869) can be still seen today in the form of the remaining cannonball lodged in the seaside monastery wall. During World War II the monastery was partly destroyed and became one of the most important areas of Cretan resistance.
It houses the Museum of Byzantine Ecclesiastical Relics, with a display of rare Byzantine icons and manuscripts, hand-embroidered vestments, and crosses inlaid with precious stones. During the summer months, the nearby modern Orthodox Academy of Crete sometimes hosts concerts at the Stone Theatre of Nopigeia. These events are advertised on posters around the area and on the Kissamos News Facebook Page. The academy also comprises a Museum of Cretan Herbs.
Kissamos (Kastelli), 20 min west of Tavronitis, features a fascinating little archeological museum, exhibiting beautiful Roman mosaics and impressive artefacts from prehistoric time. Or, if you just fancy a day of relaxing at a different beach, head here, grab a bite to eat afterwards and catch the sunset at one of several authentic tavernas overlooking the sea.
On the way to Kissamos, slightly inland from the coast near the village of Kaloudiana, you can visit the Cretan Honey Experience, a family business operating for over 60 years, where you will discover live beehives and all that goes into honey production, from the collection process right up to the packaging.
There are 3 fascinating tours you can take, to explore how honey is collected and are taught how to select only the finest quality. In the hands-on ‘Guided Honey Tour and Tasting’, you can also try 5 different samples. Those keen to learn even more, can acquire in-depth knowledge about the characteristics of good honey, or enjoy a private honey tasting session alongside traditional Cretan finger food.
The mysterious ‘sand dunes’ of Komolithi, located only 20 minutes from Tavronitis inland from Kaloudiana, and just outside the village of Potamida, are a fascinating site. These dunes are made from soft clay which due to erosion over the years have acquired this unique conical shape, reminiscent of the iconic Cappadocia mountains in Turkey. Scientists studying this area have stated that the dunes were formed millions of years ago on the sea floor and marine fossils have been found on the surface many years later.
The atmospheric city of Chania, with its beautiful and vibrant Venetian harbour, is a 30 minute drive away and not to be missed, while approx. 40 min away by car, you will reach the famous white sandy beach of Falassarna, on the west coast of the island, just waiting to be explored. Heading to the South Coast and the beautiful Libyan sea, within an hour’s drive you will reach a tree lined street leading straight into the little town of Paleochora. A laid back place that is worth a visit and offers a good choice of sandy bays and plenty of cafes, tavernas, bars and little shops.
Have a look at our blogs and guides for more information and tips for your stay in Crete.
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