Nature

The beach is mainly rocky and with sand in parts, and a smaller nicer beach is formed north of the main beach. In recent years a large hotel unit in the region has made great interventions to the beach and has unfortunately altered completely the rocky character of the coast. A pier has been built to keep sand and to cover the rocks.

The gorge of Gaidourorachi or Kroussonas is located 3km west of the village Kroussonas and crosses the Psiloritis Mt. Starting from ancient Zominthos, near Anogia, it ends at Kitharida village, near Kroussonas.

The Monumental olive tree of Kamilari has been declared by the Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities as a natural monument due to its enormous size. The exact age is unknown. Most similar trees in Crete are aged around 2000 years. But it’s a very powerful and peaceful place also worth the visit.

The Cave of Marathokefala or Marathospilios is located next to the village of Kynigiana, 29km southeast of Rethymno. In Mylopotamos area, where it is located, several caves have been found.

At the furthest tip of Akrotiri Cape there is the gorge of Diplochachalo. It is located close to the village of Chordaki, on the way to the famous beach of Stefanou. This is a small, stunning and purely technical canyon with 6 descents, 2 of which are quite high. It starts just below the quarry that dominates the area.

The cavern of Hosto Nero is found in the region Selia of Youchtas mountain near the road that leads to the top of Afentis Christos. It is located at an altitude of about 720 meters in the southern top of the holy mountain and in order for anyone to see it he/she has to enter through a narrow hole. This cavern has 3 rooms and many corridors that connect them all with the first room of 7 meters length that has enough light because of its big opening.

Kapsas Monastery is located 37km southwest of Sitia and 32km east of Ierapetra, between Makrigialos and Goudouras. It is a very old monastery built on the cliffs near the exit of the arid Pervolakia Gorge. To get here you can follow the paved road that links Makrigialos to Goudouras, but there are also (rare) bus services from Ierapetra.

Livadia coves are located near the village of Livadia, 72km southwest of Chania and 31km south of Kissamos. The coves are not popular to the visitors of the area, because they seem very rocky, as most beaches in west crete. They are mainly prefered by the residents and visitors of Livadia village and those who want to stay remote.