Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Monastery of Khryssoskalítissa
Daily 8am-8pm • €2
Some 5km before Elafonísi the
monastery of Khryssoskalítissa
sits perched on a cliff
with amazing views along the coastline. It is increasingly visited by tours from Haniá
and Paleóhora, but worth the effort for its isolation. The name Khryssoskalítissa
translates as
golden step
, and the faithful here believe that one of the 90 steps leading
up to the monastery appears gold to those who are pure of spirit.
Elafonísi
The tiny uninhabited islet of
Elafonísi
lies marooned on the edge of a gloriously scenic
turquoise lagoon that shares its name. The pinky-white sand, the warm, clear lagoon
and the islet to which you can easily wade are magnificent, but you certainly won't have
them to yourself unless you visit out of season.
There are a number of stalls selling cold drinks and basic food on the beach, but
perhaps the best option is to bring your own supplies and have a picnic on the beach.
7
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
KASTÉLLI AND THE FAR WEST
By bus
Kastélli bus station is on Platía Tzanakáki.
Destinations
Haniá (14 daily 6.30am-9.30pm; 1hr
15min), Elafonísi (May-Sept 1 daily; 1hr 40min), Falásarna
(May-Sept 3 daily; 40min), Sfinári (1 daily; 1hr).
By ferry
The port of Kastélli lies some 3km to the west of
town.
Destinations
Weekly (Thurs) to Andikýthira (2hr), Kýthira
(4hr), Yíthio (8hr).
INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tours
Daily boat trips run from Kastélli port to the
beautiful beaches at Gramvoússa and Bálos Bay, at the far
northwestern tip of Crete.
Services
Travel agents (for ferry tickets, boat tours or car
rental) lie east of the square along Skalídhi; another group
can be found around nearby Platía Venizélou, on the main
road through town.
ACCOMMODATION
KASTÉLLI
Argo
Telonio beach
T
28220 23322,
W
papadaki.biz.
Simply furnished rooms on the seafront
with
a/c, TV, fridge
and balconies with sea view. April-Oct.
€45
Galini Beach Hotel
T
28220 23288,
W
galinibeach
.com.
Located right by the beach near the football pitch, this
family-run hotel has sparkling a/c, sea-view rooms wit
h TV
,
balconies and free wi-fi in communal areas. April-Oct.
€50
Vergerakis
(aka Jimmy's) Platía Tzanakáki
T
28220
22663.
Central rooms place, a few hundred metres from
the beach; simple, clean rooms with shared bath
and u
se of
kitchen facilities, plus a few en suites. April-Oct.
€25
Sunset
T
28220 41204,
W
sunsethotel.biz.
One of the
best locations right above the beach. Basic rooms with a/c,
fridge and balcony with great sea vie
ws -
and sunsets -
with a good taverna below. April-Oct.
€40
KÁMBOS
Rooms Hartzulakis
On the edge of the village
T
28220 44445.
Friendly rooms with taverna and
dramatic views overlooking the gorge. A map here gives
details of local walking routes around the area and coast,
and
the
owner can provide further information. April-
Oct.
€30
FALÁSARNA
Pension Anastasia Stathis
T
28220 41480,
W
stathisanastasia.com.
Spacious, modern, but simple,
rooms with sea and mountain views from the balconies,
located 300m from the beach (on the main road down to
Falásarna). Facilities include
a/c
, fridge, and some rooms
with kitchenette. April-Oct.
€45
ELAFONÍSI
Elafonísi
1km before the beach
T
28220 61274.
Probably the best of Elafonísi's few rooms places, with a/c
balcony rooms, TV and fridge. There is a good taverna
below which uses ma
ny h
ome-grown ingredients, and a
minimarket. May-Oct.
€40
EATING AND DRINKING
There are a number of tavernas on Kastélli's beach promenade. Around them are numerous cafés and bars, popular with
young locals and hence livelier than you might expect, particularly at weekends.
