Points Of Interest

The famous Sfakaki village In Rethymnon.

Sfakaki beach apart from its beauty, it is also famous for the fact that the endangered sea turtles Caretta Caretta choose it for their reproduction. The beach is ideal for sunbathing, swimming and summer sports. During the day you can enjoy your coffee, your juice or your beer at the beach bars located along the beach or you can enjoy a tasteful traditional Cretan meal at a tavern along the beach or visit one of the several picturesque villages around for a more traditional atmosphere. Sfakaki is located in the heart of the Municipality of Arkadi. If you choose to stay in Sfakaki for your holidays, or if you just visit it for a while, turn right on the road to Pagalochori. On the left of the road it is worth to visit the church which is dedicated to Virgin Mary.

Then continue south and uphill and you will be charmed by the combination of wild herbs, oregano, oleanders and hollies with eucalyptus trees which create intoxicating atmosphere full of scents. Continuing, on the left, you will find the Monastery Arsaniou.

If you continue south, you will realize that you are in the largest olive grove of Eastern Europe. As you ascend, the imaginary landscape offers panoramic views of the White Mountains of Chania until Psiloritis sierra. On the left, on the opposite hill, you will notice the beautifully renovated Venetian houses of the small village Hamalevri.

The Monastery of Arkadi near Sfakaki village

If you choose to spend your holidays in Sfakaki or in one of the villages around, then it is worth to visit the Monastery of Arkadi. It is dedicated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour and the Saints Constantine and Helen. It is of great importance as one of the most striking examples of the Cretan Renaissance, but also due to its intense role in the liberation struggles of the Cretans. The Monastery was firstly built by the Venetians and it is dated back to the 16th century.