Fragokastelo

In recent years the area of Fragokastelo has began a slow but continuous development which takes nothing away from the traditional beauty of the place. New touristic facilities have grown substantially but not in a way that threatens the unique village atmosphere. There are a number of tavernas, restaurants, cafes and shops that would cover any catering needs.

Almost all of the bay consists of golden sandy beaches. Thus is the beach in front of the Fortress, which is the nearest beach to the Monachus Monachus Apartments complex.

Also found nearby is the spectacular Orthi Ammos beach, where the golden sand forms in dunes that fill entire cliff sides, just above the beach, ideal for children's games.

The bay is the ideal base for those who wish to explore the wider region of Sfakia and the southwest side of Crete. Nearby Fragokastello, towards the road that leads to Hania, are the villages of Komitades, Vraskas, Vouvas, Nomikiana and Ag. Nektarios. Other nice places to visit in the close by region are Chora Sfakion, Imbros, Askifou and Vrisses. To the north, above Fragocastelo are the villages of Patsianos and Kapsodasos, with the village of Kalikratis being still further. On the other side, along the road that leads to Rethymno and Iraklion are the villages of Skaloti, Argoules, Rodakino, Selia, Agios Ioannis, Agouseliana and Agios Vasilios. Another village is Plakias which is also known for its nightlife. Along the way are various places of interest to stop and take photos such as the Kotsifou Canyon, where the road passes through a narrow channel of cliffs creating beautiful scenery, which ends with a small church in the one side of the gorge.

Frangocastello is also known to mountaineers because of the European Hiking Footpath E4. In general, E4 has a lot of conjunctions that connect most Cretan gorges. One of these passes through the Gorge of Kallikratis, as well as the village and plateau that bear the same name, at an altitude of 750 metres above sea level. Kallikratis Gorge can be reached by following a path that begins from the village of Kallikratis and ends to the village of Patsianos. The length of that path is approximately 4km (2.5miles), however, the gorge itself is only 1km (0.6miles).

From Kalikratis, the beach of Frangocastello can be reached after two and a half hours of walk. Another, famous gorge of the region is that of Imbros. It is the second longest gorge of Crete after that of Samaria. Imbros Gorge (or Nimbros Gorge) covers a wider area of 7km (4.3miles). It is located at the eastern edge of Lefka Ori (White Mountains) and extends from Imbros village to the north of Chora Sfakion. At some points it is only 2 meters (6.6ft) wide while its walls reach 300 meters (984ft) in height. Almost, at the centre of the gorge exists a cistern that is believed to be Venetian. In total, both gorges can give to visitors a lifetime experience by revealing part of the remarkable Lefka Ori (White Mountains).

Moreover, the members of the Greek Mountaineering Club of Chania have created in collaboration with the state four shelters to assist mountaineers that want to visit Lefka Ori. Closer to Frangocastelo is the shelter of Tavri, its construction completed in 1992. The shelter of Tavri is situated above the village of Ammoudari of plateau Askifou Sfakion in the altitude of 1200 meters (3937ft). One can approach the shelter by following a rural road of 7.5km (4.6miles) which goes through the forest. The required walking time is estimated between one and a half to two hours. As the shelter’s capacity is for 45 persons it gives the opportunity for children camps to be arranged every year.

Some more information to mountaineering, as found in the website of the Greek Mountaineering Club of Chania, is below:

ASKIFOU-IMBROS-FRANGOKASTELO

LENGTH: 19 km

DIFFICULTY: Easy

TOTAL TIME: 6.30 hours

FRANGOKASTELLO-KALIKRATIS-ASI GONIA

LENGTH: 18 km

DIFFICULTY: Easy path , provincial streets

TOTAL TIME: Fragkokastelo - Kapsodasos : 0,45 hour , Kallikratis gorge: 3 hours

Kallikratis - Asi Gonia : 2.30 hours

Another interesting place to visit while you are in Fragkokastello is the Cave of Daskalogianni. As it is situated on the coast it can only be approached by boat. The Cave is approximately 30 meters (98.4ft) long, 4 meters (13ft) in height and 4 meters (13ft) wide. It is called Daskalogiannis Cave after the Cretan military leader. On the 4th of April, 1770 Daskalogiannis being motivated by the success of the revolution against the Turks in Peloponniso took the iniative to lead the people of Sfakia against them too. That move has stayed in history as the Daskalogiannis Revolution. Remarkably, during the Revolution the Cave was used as a mint!

Finally, Frangokastello is also known for the celebration of Nikitia. A festival that is organised every year, during mid-September, after the name of Saint Nikitas but also in favour of the ancient games that took place in the area of Frangokastelo then named as Nikita, after the Goddess Niki (Victory).

On the whole, Frangocastelo is a region that combines a calm atmosphere with a unique blend of character. If you are planning a road trip to Fragocastello its main distance from the most known places of Crete is: 80km (50miles) from Chania, 70km (43miles) from Rethymnon, 170km (106miles) from Iraklion, and 11km (7miles) from Chora Sfakion.