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Sougia - Kandanos Property Guide
Kandanos-Selinos delights visitors with its beautiful villages, quaint alleys, magnificent gorges and spectacular beaches. Kandanos-Selinos beaches are prized for their soft white sand and transparent water-perfect for sunbathing, relaxing and swimming...
The scenery here is wild and beautiful. Hiking, nature walks, cycling and fishing are also popular activities in the area. Those who prefer to enjoy outdoor activities will ultimately be rewarded with breathtaking natural scenery and exceptional panoramic views of the forests and plains, the mountains, and the sea…
The Charming Villages of Kandanos
This region brings together all the clichés: historical villages, ancient monuments, impressive gorges and small chapels with polychrome mosaic or frescoes decorations, traditional ceramics handicrafts alternate with fantastic wines and traditional food.
Unspoilt trails wind through unique nature reserves, there are deserted beaches with crystal clear waters, as well as cultural treasures.
Perched on the mountain slopes of the southern Crete the villages of Kandanos challenge you to explore their mysteries. Because of their remote location the villages and settlements in this region are considered to be among the most beautiful and well-preserved villages of Crete.
Some of them are not only great examples of traditional stone architecture, but of a still living tradition, full of myths and cultural expressions. At Kandanos, you’ll always enjoy great views, even when swimming in the Libyan Sea.
The villages in Kandanos-Selinos are connected by ancient paths which along with the E4 European long distance path, make this an excellent base for stunning scenic walks. There is minimal tourism, the climate is perfect with plenty of sunshine and the people are friendly and hospitable.
Sougia: A Modern Hideaway and an Ancient Sea-Port
Sougia is a small seaside village located on the southern coast of western Crete, approximately 65 km south from the city of Chania. Even for locals sometimes a day at the beach is anything but. You know the drill: too many people, too many umbrellas and loungers, too much noise, not enough tranquility to enjoy the majesty of blue skies and crystal clear water of the Libyan sea.
The good news is that there are still undiscovered, yet of exceptionally beauty beaches in Crete-wonderful hideaways where tourism hasn’t yet eclipsed the Cretan culture and authenticity. Indeed, Sougia is one of these places. There is little to do other than relax or discover the local trails, including the magnificent scenery of the nearby gorges.
Sougia is accessible from Chania by car in approximately 2 hours or by ferry boats from Palaiochora, Hora Sfakion, Agia Roumeli and Loutro. Sougia is located on the ruins of the ancient seaport of Syia which flourished during the Roman period.
The old city of Syia was an important cultural and commercial centre, by virtue of its geographical position at the crossroads between Africa and Europe but it was also the centre of a flourishing craft industry. Sougia exhibits outstanding evidence of the civilizations which created it – Minoan, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic.
In present days, you can see walls, water reservoirs, Roman baths, Palaiochristian Basilicas etc. In the years following the Second War World the village was slowly transformed into a seaside tourist destination because of its beautiful beach and magnificent scenery.
Sougia Magnetizes Everyone
Nowadays, the village of Sougia has approximately 110 residents and is a part of the Sougia community which consists of three more small villages: Koustogerako, Moni and Livadas. Even if it is illegal, wild camping is well tolerated in Sougia and you won’t have a hard time finding remote areas. Some visitors come every year in this magnificent location to empty their heads and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere at the beach.
However, Sougia is a magnet for hikers and people who enjoy getting a breath of fresh air on the beach but it is also a popular destination among the residents of the prefecture of Chania, to escape the busy daily routine, to relax and connect with nature and to enjoy the positive energy of the breath-taking surroundings.
A line of large shady tamarisks line the narrow, shingle beach giving plenty of natural shade with cafes, bars and tavernas along the shore, where you can enjoy excellent traditional food as well as fresh fish. In Sougia there is no petrol station, so make sure to fill the tank before you get here. Moreover, there is no pharmacy or bank, but there is a cash machine (ATM).
Sougia Surroundings: Magnificent Wilderness
The wonderful and charming Byzantine chapel of St. Nikolas built in 1315 near Moni village is worth visiting. It is difficult to say when the timeless beauty of this location is more striking. The scenery in this area is breathtaking – amongst the best in south Crete.
This path passes through an area where the remains of ancient olive trees may still be seen and is one of the most remarkable short walks in the area. In the chapel you will see frescoes dated back to the 13th century. It is worth spending a while exploring the area and soaking up its amazingly peaceful atmosphere.
In the area around Sougia there are many wonderful gorges to discover and explore. The Lissos Gorge however, is one of the most wonderful among them. The path in the gorge is, for the most people, without difficulties and easy to follow but still very rewarding. The walk starts at the small harbour of Sougia and ends to the ancient city of Lissos.
For the lovers of ancient Greek and Minoan civilization, but also for those who seek to satisfy their thirst for knowledge of the past, Lissos offers a unique trip back in time with several remains of an ancient civilization and the scattered historical discoveries of the area.
Furthermore, the small, yet of exceptionally beauty gorge of Saint Irene, which is part of the European path E4 in Crete, is also worth a visit.
About Kandanos
With its stunning seaside scenery and the snow-capped magnificent White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Kandanos-Selinos lives up to the label, “Region of Beauty.” Along the coast are many lovely small beaches with crystal clear water, and the hillsides are dotted with picturesque villages.
Kandanos-Selinos is a paradise for beach lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. The rugged landscape with its stunning gorges inspires hikers, while the sandy beaches are prized by sunbathers, and the translucent waters are perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving.
The Villages of Kandanos
Why not explore some of the exceptionally beautiful villages in Kandanos – Selinos?
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