SFAKIA-CRETE TRAVEL FAQ

Questions?
Please check the practical info for visitors to Sfakia-page first!
Your answer may be there.

Naomi & Yoav Sapir asked: Dear sir, We want to arrive around the beginning of October for about 7 days. We have two children 4.5 and 1.5 years old is . Is there any activity for them like a play yard or a park? What other activities for children you have in the hotel or in the near area? If you don't have such activities can you recommend another place that does? What are the sea conditions at this time of the year? is there a swimming pool that we can use if the sea is rough? Thank you Naomi & Yoav Sapir

091101: Special facilities for children are not available in this part of Crete. But there are several beaches very suitable for children (Frangokastello). There are no swimming pools. The sea in October is warm and there are only a few days with bad weather and wind. For more luxurious accommodations you might want to have a look here.

Dennis asked: Are there any internet cafes in SW Crete?

091101: Yes, a few: in Paleochora, Sougia and in Loutro. And there are initiatives in Agia Roumeli and Komitades.

Kaja Tretjak asked: Hello- I am considering working for the STEPS Foundation in Hania, Crete. It is located on 52 Sfakion Street, and I am wondering if you can tell me anything about where this neighborhood is and what it is like, since no maps are availble. Thank you!

050801: You can find a small map of Chania here, indicating Sfakion Street. We have no more info than this.

Marylene asked: what is the weather like in august

042201: Monthly report for Chora Sfakion, southwest Crete

Mick Hartley asked: Hi My partner and I are planning some trekking in Crete May 8 - 23rd and I would like to know the procedure for using the EOZ mountain huts, how do I get the keys, which are manned etc Thanks in anticipation

040201: You can find some info and pictures of refuges in Crete at this page of the Climbing in Crete site. If you like you can contact them for specific info or for the contact information for the several mountaineering clubs in Crete which are in charge of the refuges. Have a nice time!

pierrette eicher pavillon asked: Bonjour, Avez-vous prévu une traduction française pour votre site ? Par ailleurs, je viens marcher une semaine en Crète du 7 au 15 avril prochain. Quels habits faut-il prévoir et peut-on se baigner à cette époque. Merci d'avance de votre réponse, en attendant le plaisir de découvrir votre pays. P. eicher

033101: Je m'exuse, mais je ne parle pas Français. Bon voyage!

Holger asked: When is the easter in Greek and can you tell me why it is not the same as catolic?

031101: In 2001 Greek Orthodox Easter will be on the same date as for the Catholic and Protestant churches: Sunday, April 15. You can read all about it on our Greek Easter page.

ted lafakis asked: my family roots are from sfakia .how far family recorts are kept .

030601: I'm sorry, I don't know about the records. But you might want to contact the Municipality Of Sfakia, Address: Chora Sfakion, 73011 Sfakia, Chania, Crete, GREECE. Telephone (+30) 825  91540/91541/91542, Fax (+30) 825 91543. Mayor is: Braoudakis Ioannis, his contact person: Zacharias Andreas.

Graham Jardine asked: There is a beautiful beach just west of Agia Roumeli. Maybe about 3 hrs walk. Do you know the name of this beach? thanks

022101: The beach you mean is probably at the end of the Klados gorge. It's name therefore is Klados Beach. It's also known as Mavri Beach, after the hill behind it (142 metres).

chrissy asked: I am a disabled wheelchair user,coming to the Blue Sea hotel, in Staliis can anyone tell what the steps are like infront of the hotel. thanks

021201: Hi Chrissy, we don't know this place so cannot advise you. In general there are only few places that have taken measures to accommodate disabled people. Partly this is due to the geology of the island: rocky.

Barbara Duncan asked: How much is the taxi fare between Sfakia and Plakias please. Intend to stay in the Sfakia area early September 2001 and then move onto Plakias, Saturday 8 September, but I believe that at weekends, there is only one bus in the evening to Plakias.

020601: I do not know exactly, but I suppose it's about Drachmas 8000 one way for up to 4 people. On our taxi transfer page you can find the details for contacting the Sfakia Taxi Company, so you can ask them directly if you want.

G Middleton asked: How often do the ferries run please to Gavdos? Where do they depart from ?

013101 : Please have a look at our ferries page. The new schedules for summer 2001 will be posted there as soon as they are available. Ferries to Gavdos start from Chora Sfakion and Paleochora (and sometimes via Loutro and Sougia). Private boats are available for tours in season from Loutro (Porto Loutro).

A&K Aschauer asked: Is the ferry from Chora Sfakion-Agia Roumeli-Paleochora ALSO for cars????

013101 : Not really. It is possible to take your car as far as Agia Roumeli, but not on to Paleochora. But since there are no roads from Agia Roumeli this has no use for you. It is only used for local cars delivering supplies etc. in A. Roumeli. So, if you come by car to Chora Sfakion and want to go on to Paleochora you have to leave the car in Chora Sfakion if you want to go by ferry. It is possible to drive from Sfakia to Paleochora, but this means you have to go all the way back to the north and from Chania go down south again. Another option, probably the best: rent a car from Sfakia Tours in Chora Sfakion. They can deliver it to the airports if you rent it for 1 week or longer. At the day you like to come to Chora Sfakion and want to take the ferry to Paleochora you can just leave the car there and rent another one again in Paleochora. If this is interesting to you, please contact us for the arrangements by clicking here.

Petr Hlavka asked: Pleas, send me any informatiom about the weather and temperature this week on the Kreta. Thank You. Petr Hlavka

012901: All info you can find on our Cretan climate page. Also the daily weather and the forecast for the coming days.

clive turner asked: What is the temperature in crete in january. Is there enough sun to lay on the beaches. What are the beaches like?

012201: January can be quite sunny, but the weather can also be very bad. Average temperature is between 17,2 - 8,8° C during the day, so normally no beach time, although in some secluded coves it sometimes can be quite nice. The water is too cold for a swim. More info you can find on our Cretan climate page.

Frank Jørgensen asked: I have heard about a very quiet place called Finikas close to Loutro. Is it possible to stay there? Do you go by boat from Loutro? Is there a fax or telephone nr? Is it open in October? Best wishes Frank

112200: Hi Frank, best wishes to you and your family! It IS possible to stay at Finix. More details you can find here.

Peter Olsson asked: Hi, Please book a jeep 4X4 open top for 7 days in week 42 (14/10-21/10) Regards Peter Olsson Mobile +46 705542721

101400: as I told you before I was on holidays and could not help you. Fortunately you managed yourself by fax. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Elvyra asked: Could you inform me about existing hostels in Crete island? Thank you beforehand

101400: Please have a look at the Top 100 Cretan Travel Sites for a lot of suggestions.

john walton asked: what (half board)accomadatoin do you have in october? we would like to travel on or about the 6th of october thank you for your help. jw

Martin Jefferson asked: Visiting Crete in October. How's the weather?

090600: Generally speaking very nice summer weather, with temperatures about 81° F/ 27° C in the south. The north is more cold. There might be some days with clouds and towards the end of the month you can have an occasional rain shower and some wind. The sea water is still very warm. So October is a great time to be in Crete, whether it's for the beach or for mountain hiking. All weather and climate details for Crete can be found at our Cretan climate page.

Hugo Vogel asked: I want to make the walk san maria,i am staying in Sitia so I must travel Where can I leave my carDoes the trip stats in sfakia?

072200: Sitia is too far from Samaria gorge to make this trip in 1 day. Our advice is to go on day 1 with your car to Chania and find accommodation there for 2 nights. Take a public bus *early* next morning to Omalos, the beginning of the gorge. Walk down towards Agia Roumeli and take the ferry boat to Chora Sfakion. From there go back to Chania again by public bus. It will be evening again when you reach it and you'll probably would like to have a good sleep. Next day you can go back to Sitia, which is a ride of about 4 hours or 300 km.

julye koutselas asked: moving there from us. Are there any jobs?

072200: please ask around, but normally in the beginning of the season end of April the best ones are taken.

Rune Hansen asked: Minibank! I am planning to go from Paleochora to Chora Sfakia by the beginning of next month. Do you know about minibanks in these towns or other towns? I am arriving at Chania Airport 27 may. We are also planning to use boat along the south-west coast. Will these boats be running by the end of may? Rune Hansen, Norway

060700: Please have a look at the "Practical info for visitors to Sfakia" page. All answers can be found there.

Duncan Kinder asked: Where are laundry facilities located in Sfakia? Are there any in Sougia or Loutro? Elsewhere in Southwestern Crete?

050100: There is a laundry in Chora Sfakion, owner is Giorgos Vodzakis. It's on the road downhill, just before you actually enter the village at the left corner of a sharp bend to the left, behind a Taverna, the first one you see.

Alberto asked: We are planning to visit south-west of Crete in the second week of May. What about hotels and rooms? Is it possible to find a room withoit reservation? Thanks

050100: It's possible to find accommodation without reservation, but this time of the year can be quite busy in Sfakia, so you may not find the rooms that you prefer at the location you like best. For an idea about *our* prices, please click here.

Andrei Shirobokov asked: Please advise cost and availability of rental triple room (with air conditioning) in the end of May / early June. And is any difference in prices between booking the hotel via the Internet/Phone/Fax or on arrivals? Thanks and Regards, Andrei

042700: We have no rooms available with air conditioning at all. A triple room will cost Drachmas 7500/ night. The difference between booking through this site and on arrival is: 1) you are sure before arrival there will be a room available; 2) the price will be fixed: if only 1 triple room is free and more people like it on the same moment, the price will go up. The period mentioned is quite busy in Chora Sfakion. Booking through this site will anyway save you fax or telephone costs. We do not ask a deposit.

NIKOS SFAKIANOS asked: me lene niko sfakiano. o propapous mou legotan episis sfakianos alla o pateras mou eipe oti eixe allaksei epitheto kai legotan sfakianakis. mou eipe oti itan apo sfakia kai pige sti SYRA(o). Telika eimai apo Sfakia? Mporeite na mou stilete e amil allwn ]Sfakianwn? NIKOS SFAKIANOS, STIRLING UNIVERSITY, SCOTLAND

042600: Gia sou, Niko. Signomi, then milao Ellinika. Sorry Nikos, I do not speak Greek, I'm just the webmaster of this site. Can you please repeat your question in English? Thanks in advance.

Walter Prevenier asked: Do you know the e-mail address of the Vritomartis Hotel in Sfakia ? Thanks for help, Walter Prevenier

042600: The Vritomartis Hotel does not have an Email address, just a web site at Interkriti.

Heinrich Wunsche asked: Is it possible to walk on the Mountain Gingolos in May or is there too much snow? Whats about Mavri/Melindaou? Many Thanks

041900: We are sorry to say we do not have info on this. You can try the Oreivatein (=Greek for climbing) page to find an answer, please click here.

jasna asked: What are the prices, if you rent a motor-bike in Sfakia and where in Sfakia can you rent it?

032800: You can not rent a motobike in Chora Sfakion. But if you rent accommodation in Chora Sfakion for 1 week or longer we can arrange one for you. Nearest places to rent one yourself: Plakias and Vrisses. Prices are not available at the moment.

David Wilson asked: Which airport is the closest to your town? We can find tickets to Iraklion, but are there better options. Please let us know, we plan to be over there in July.

032600: Chania airport is much more close to Sfakia then Heraklion airport. By road it saves you about 50 minutes. Besides, check out and check in is more quick.

ANNA ALEXANDRAKIS asked: HOW FAR IS RAMNI APOKORONOU FROM SFAKIA AND HOW IS IT THERE?

070300: Ramni is a small village in the Apokoronas region about which we do not have information, being specialised in the neighbouring Sfakia region. It's about 65 km by road from Chora Sfakion, the small capital of Sfakia. Ramni can be reached by road from Chania, taking a right turn towards Vrises east bound, at the village of Armeni and a right turn again at Chorio. First left turn leads to Ramni. Try the following link for more info by Email: Apokoronas.com

Helga asked: When do accomodations open next holidays season since they seem to close after October?

030200: Usually hotels on Crete open just before Christian Easter (Orthodox Easter is about 1 week later, this year April 30), but this varies. Hotel Stavris in Chora Sfakion opens on March 25 this year.

Lars Jarnemo asked: I have heard there is a kind of private War Museum in the village of Kares in Askifou. Where can I find it ? When is it open ? Is there possibilities to stay over night in Kares ? Best regards from Lars Jarnemo Stockholm, Sweden

020100: You're right, Lars. In Kares it is very worthwhile to visit Giorgos Hantzidakis' private War Museum. It exhibits mainly weaponery from WW II, but also from other eras. Askifou and the surrounding hamlets have been the birthground of many famous rebels against several enemies. When you drive towards the Askifou plain from Vrises, just before entering the village, take a sharp turn left; there is a sign on the road pointing to the museum. I do not know of opening times, nor of rooms available in Kares, but it is very near to Askifou, where there is a choice of accomodations. Have a good time! Erno.

Wim and Cathy Van Mol asked: Dear, we are a famely with three persons and we are searching for information to visit your wonder full area of the iland. we also searching for fly tikets.

012900: Dear Van Mol family, we have already sent you an Email reply, but maybe something went wrong, so we will send it again. If you still have any more questions, please contact us again.

Dan weiss asked: Is late March and early April warm enough for swimming? Are there flights from Amsterdam?

011000: This period is still off season, but on request Hotels may open a room for you. Though daily temperatures are usually quite high -around 20° C- the sea water is still cold after winter (± 17° C). For more info on air and water temperatures, please have a look at our climate page. Transavia Holland has direct flights from Amsterdam to Heraklion once every week all year round, charter flights start from Easter. Please check your travel agent for details.

Henry Hodel asked: What is the weather like in February & March and what is the high temperatures during this period? I have a US passport--will I need a visa for a visit to Crete> My wife is British and has a British passport. Will she need a visa? Thanks

120899: Neither of you needs a visa for Crete. (thanks to Julie F, UK) For extensive weather info for Crete click here to visit our Cretan Climate page. Please realise that specially March can be unpredictable: sometimes it is very sunny and warm, sometimes there is however a lot of rain.

Julie asked: I wonder if you have a Sfakia-Loutro ferry timetable yet for January (see my earlier question). If not, I'd appreciate it if you could let me know when you do get it. Thanks.

111999: Today (again) I will send a fax to the ferry company to ask. As soon as I have the times I will publish them here. Sorry for the inconvenience!

112299: "Boats are leaving Chora Sfakion at (around, because last time I took the "Sofia" the captain arrived almost an hour late at the new harbour a 5-minute walk east from "town": sleep, sleep, ...!) 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. But please do ask people when there." (thanks to Martin, Munich)

Jan Weens asked: Is Hotel Stavris open during winter?

111999: Yes, but only on request. This means that if you make a reservation before, we will open a room for you, but without the daily service, such as daily cleaning of the room etc. Of course the price will be less than usual. The hotel will start the normal season at Orthodox Easter, which is usually around the Catholic Easter.

Julie Friedeberger asked: I plan to spend some time in Sfakia in January 2000. Please tell me if Anendyk ferries run between Sfakia and Loutro in the winter. Can you also tell me the bus timetable between Chania- Sfakia -Chania.

103199: Three times a week the ferry connections are available, but also depending on weather and sea conditions. We have no winter timetable available yet. The bus timetable for Chania- Sfakia -Chania from November 1st - April 15, 2000:

Hans F. Joergensen asked: I would like to get informations about the possiblities to go out eating in Sfakia in October.

091899: in Chora Sfakion are several restaurants, 4 on the harbor boulevard, 2 on and above the bus square and there is one tavern a little more backwards. All have an excellent choice of traditional and more European dishes. Specialties are all kinds of fresh fish, lobster, goat, lamb and various vegetables and salads, good wines and desserts. And all at very reasonable prices. All are opened untill beginning of November.

Johannes asked: Are there any boats in december, January that go from Sfakia to the western coast? Thanks Johannes

091399: yes, three times a week the ferry connections are available, but also depending on weather and sea conditions. We have no winter timetable available.

Theo Balsius asked: What are the best maps you can recommend of Crete for tourist information and hiking?

082799: Crete maps - Harms I-C Verlag 1997/98: Best Crete Tourist and Hiking Maps available, 1 : 100 000 in 2 parts: West and East Crete. (West: ISBN 3927468169; East: ISBN 3927468177).

paticia mcdonald asked: Please advise cost and availability of rental accomodation for 2 ladies for 7 nights - any dates between 31st Aug-21 Sept 1999.

081899: you will get a personal answer within 15 minutes!

Axel asked: We are staying in Plakias Beach in September and wonder whether it is possible to do the Samaria-Gorge hiking tour in a single day means of public transport: Is there a bus connection from Plakias to the entrance of the gorge? If we get the last ship from Agio Roumeli to Sfakia (when?), is there any bus from Sfakia to Plakias? Thanks!

081299: This will be very difficult by public transport. Anyway, you need to reach Chania bus station early enough to catch the last bus to Omalos, the beginning of the gorge. Last boat in Agia Roumeli is at 18.00 hrs, arriving in Chora Sfakion after 19.30 hrs. There will be no local transport connection by bus anymore: in high season there is only 1 bus from Chora Sfakion to Plakias, departure 16.00 hrs. So if you catch this one, by taking a more early boat, the return is less a problem. You also have the option to take a taxi back or to hitch hike! We think it might be a better idea to do the gorge from down to half way up and then return. Details you can read below. Have a good trip!

Verner Stein asked: We are going from Sfakion around the western end of Crete and would like to make an excursion to the Omalos plain to visit Kallergi and the Gingilos mountain. We are considering to walk from Sougia to Omalos, but would like to know if there is a bus back to Sougioa or possibly to Paleohora. Is there by chance a website with information on public transport in general on Crete Is there a bus connection back from Omalos to Sougia or to Paleohora?

072499: To walk Samaria Gorge, starting from the South coast, there are several possibilities to do so:

1) Take the 10.30 AM boat from Chora Sfakion to Agia Roumeli, walk *UP* the gorge for 2 hours: you will see the most beautiful part, like The Iron Gates, the part of the gorge that is more than 300 meters high and only 1.90 meters wide, walk back to Agia Roumeli for some additional sightseeing: Old Agia Roumeli, the Turkish fortress Tara, the byzantine church of Saint Paul, the old church of Agia Panagia, and take back the boat to Chora Sfakion.

2) From Chora Sfakion (2 and a half hours) or Paleochora or Sougia (3 hours) take the earliest bus to Chania (7 AM). In Chania all the public busses already have left to Omalos plain (62 km), village of Xiloskalos, the start of the gorge. Therefore you have to take a taxi here (very beautiful!!!) or an organised tour to Omalos (very expensive!). Walk down the gorge for 18 km. or about 4 hours and take back the boat to the village you are staying in. Please mind not to miss the last boat at about 18.00 PM, otherwise you will have to stay for the night in Agia Roumeli.

3) You can take a taxi from Chora Sfakion directly to Omalos. This is expensive, but they make some discount. The price for the taxi is for *4* people the same, so if you find some nice people in Sfakia to accompany you, you can split prices and than it's quite cheap! You can leave at 6.00 AM and have a good chance to arrive at Omalos ahead of the big crowds, so your walk is more relaxed. During season more than 2000 people walk Samaria a day! See the transfer page on our site how you can contact the taxi driver by fax for the actual price (estimated: Greek drachmas GDR 20.000) or just ask him when you are in Sfakia: he stays in the small supermarket in front of the harbour: Pantelis Amiradakis.

All busses back from Omalos go through Chania. From there you can go back to Sougia or Paleochora. Ask in Chania bus station first for the times, we don't know these; 4 busses daily go from Chania to Omalos and back. As far as we know there is no Internet site with information on public transport on Crete. Please mind that the walk from Sougia to Omalos takes a long time: 8 hrs for SOUGIA - KOUSTOGERAKO- OMALOS. From Xyloskalon to Gingilos summit (2080 m) and back alone is already 5 hours! And please mind that climbing the White Mountains in Summer will take *A LOT OF WATER* to bring for your trip: there is almost no shade.

Verner Stein asked: I would like to have information on ferryboat connection to and from Gavdos in the first half of august

071599: today we will ask at the ferry boat company; we will get back on this.

071799: Chora Sfakion - Gavdos: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 09.30 AM, Friday 14.00 PM. Return to Chora Sfakion: 1 hour after arrival in Gavdos. Please be aware that due to suddenly changing weather conditions, like heavy winds, the ferry might not go at all or has a delay. This is specially noted if you have to catch a flight back home and are staying in Gavdos!

Hans Frank Jørgensen asked: How is the possibilities to visit Loutro by ship in October from Sfakia?

062699: some departure and arrival times will change, in comparison to the answer just below. It is not yet known which departures will be cancelled and what times will remain; usually there is 2 boats in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. All is depending on the weather: as soon as there is too much rain in Samaria Gorge, this will be closed and less travelers will need a boat, so less boats will go. The ferries stop anyway after November 1. We will come back on this issue as soon as the final ferry schedule for October is published. Always the possibility remains to walk to Loutro: by coastal path or up via Anopoli and than down to Loutro. Another possibility is to take the private ferry of Theodoros Deligiannakis to Sweet Water Beach (Geros Stratos, Glyka Nera) and walk from there to Loutro. And at last: you can also take a taxi boat vice versa: Captain Giannis. Ask at Hotel Stavris or at Samaria Restaurant in Chora Sfakion.

Kozak asked: time of departure and arrival of ships to Agio Roumeli from Sfakia

061899: *NEW*: departures 10.30 AM, 12.30 PM, 14.00 PM, 17.00 PM. Arrivals about 15 minutes before departure. Connecting busses from Sfakia to Chania: 7-11-17.30-18-19.30.

Patrick asked: Please advise of a reputable U.K based tour operator covering flights and accommodation to your area

060899: We're not familiar with the UK flight tickets market. Our advise: take the cheapest or most convenient flight to Chania, Crete. Take from there the bus (2500 drachmas) or taxi (13.000 drachmas) to Chora Sfakion. There find a room, preferably in Hotel Stavris. Double room aprox. 5500 a day a room. You might get some discount if you tell the manager Giorgis Perrakis you came via internet!?

j. mikel asked: Why is this area not mentioned in the standard account of the Island?

060599: We don't know which account you hold for as standard, but we are here for many centuries. Sfakia ('Eparchia Sfakion') is part of the region of Chania, the 'Nomos Chanion', together with Kissamos, Selinon, Kidonia and Apokoronas. Crete has 4 regions: (from West to East:) Nomos Chanion, Nomos Rethimnis, Nomos Irakliou and Nomos Lassithiou. Please look on the political map of Crete to get an idea.

Hotel Stavris - Chora Sfakion - Crete asked: Welcome all to the Sfakia-Crete Travel FAQ page!