Hora Sfakion, Crete
Hora Sfakion, Crete: Where tradition meets relaxed beach culture in south Chania
Hora Sfakion, Crete, is a beautiful coastal village and capital of the scenic Sfakia region in Chania. The village used to have a larger population some decades ago, but after the construction of the paved roads that connected the south to the north of the island, many local residents moved to the north coast of Crete, mainly Chania city.
Hora Sfakion is located about 70 kilometres southeast from Chania city. The road that leads there is in good condition, and passes through picturesque village, like Vrisses, Ammoudari and Imbros. There is an efficient local bus service that connects Hora Sfakion to Chania city.
Hora Sfakion is a place of tradition, where the free spirit and the authentic hospitality of the people of Sfakia are alive.
Hora Sfakion – a beautiful, accessible village
Although Hora Sfakion is bigger and more accessible by car than other villages in Sfakia region or South Crete in general, it has retained its traditional character.
In front of the village, there is a small, quite beach with pebbles, and the old, small harbour of the village (a new bigger harbour has recently been constructed to the east of the village). The beach is surrounded by the quality taverns, fish taverns and cafés of Hora Sfakion, Crete, where you can taste local specialties made from fresh ingredients. In the village there are also good amenities for travellers, like super market, bakery, ATM cash machines and various stores.
If you walk inside the village of Hora Sfakion upwards from the beach, you can admire the beautiful old houses, some of them smartly renovated, which are good examples of the fine traditional architecture of the region.
Hora Sfakion, Crete – a coastal village surrounded by splendid beaches
Apart from the beach in Hora Sfakion, there are other excellent beaches around the village. This select collection of some of the finest beaches in South Crete, include both beaches with pebbles and sandy ones.
Most of these beaches are pretty close to Hora Sfakion, so you can get there on foot. Many visitors do so, as the area of Hora Sfakion has also some of the best walking routes in Chania, combining mountain view and sea view. Another, more relaxed way to get to the nearby beaches is by boat.
The most known beaches around Hora Sfakion are Ilingas, Filaki, Marmara beach and Sweet Water beach (or “Glyka Nera” in Greek). Keep in mind that the last beach is a favourite among nudists.
Apart from the beaches, from the harbour of Hora Sfakion you can get by boat or ferry to the very scenic nearby villages of Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Paleochora, Sougia, and also to Gavdos, the island of unique, wild beauty that is also the southernmost part of Crete and Greece.
Hora Sfakion, Crete, is a traditional village, characteristic of Sfakia in south Chania. As it combines easy accessibility with an authentic Cretan atmosphere and splendid beaches all around, smart visitors to West Crete include Hora Sfakion in their travel schedule.