"Akrotiri Peninsula" Chania Things to Do Tip by ghislain69

It is no wonder that the mushroom-shaped peninsula to the north-east of Chania is where many of the city's wealthier residents have chosen to build their own homes. The rocky coastline, broken by sandy coves and beaches, the rugged hills stretching to the north-east and the fertile farmland of the central plain all seem to form a self-sufficient little island, in fact a miniature version of Crete itself.

Climbing the hill from Chania, turning left, and passing the local olive oil factory and the futuristic campus of the Technical University, the first village you come to is Kounoupidiana which in the last decade has transformed itself from a sleepy village into a bustling community with a smart new school building. Another sharp left turn and the road bisects the olives and leads to Kalathas where the manicured sandy beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas, watersports and a beach bar and taverna. The road rises above the beach and winds round to the inland village of Hora Fakia, which boasts two petrol stations, a bakery, and a handful of mini-markets and tavernas. A further few kilometres past vineyards and whitewashed houses and a sharp right turn brings you to the village of Stavros, nestling under the shadow of Zorbas's Mountain made famous as the most memorable of the locations from 'Zorba the Greek', the film adapted from the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, one of Crete's most famous sons