Western Crete has as its capital the city of Chania. To the east also on the northern coast is the large town of Rethymno. In surveys these two places came out as the top two destinations for travelers to Crete. In Sellia we are located midway between the two, 5 km south east of Vamos as shown here >
The Apokoronas region, to the east of Chania and north of the White Mountains, is one of the most picturesque areas of the province. A very fertile area, it is green all year. Olive trees are everywhere and there are vines, avocado, orange, lemon and mandarin trees too. Authentic cretan villages and beautiful beaches can be found here.
A view across to Kalyves from Aptera illustrates the nature of Apokoronas
All around the region the Lefka Ori – the White Mountains – dominate the view.
Our hilltop village of Sellia is located on a high plateau 300 metres above sea level and is surrounded by olive groves, fields and forest land.
Our Villa sits close to the edge of the ridge and has unobstructed views to the mountains, no poles or cables, no houses, only greenery!
Sellia is 5 km east of Vamos, in the ideal location for a quiet and relaxing holiday.
It is also the perfect location for excursions to the popular coastal towns of Chania and Rethymno, since we are situated half way between the two. Furthermore, there are several very good beaches in nearby coastal villages and many secluded coves awaiting your discovery.
Below we list the beaches within easy reach, the local villages within a 20 minute drive and some of our favourite eating places. We also mention our favourite day trips.
Vamos main street, & old olive mill, Chapel near Likotinara, Georgioupoli, Ombroglios, Kalyves
BEACHES
Crete is famous for its many beautiful sandy beaches.
Our local Beaches
Locally we have some gems. Our favourite is Kalavaki, a pretty sandy cove on the north side of Georgioupoli, less than 15 minutes from our Villa. The unique feature of this beach is the cool water that comes from the river into the sea and which is wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer day. Remarkably the cool water stays on top and floats above the warm sea!
On the drive down to Georgioupoli on seven-bends road you will be met with awesome views of the mountains, the valley and its villages, and the stunning blue sea. Kalavaki is on the north side of the river Almiros and on the other side Georgioupoli beach stretches 2km to the east, ending in Kavros beach, which is a natural extension of the first beach. These beaches are sandy with dunes in places and shallow waters, very well organized with lifeguards and is ideal for children.
The beach of Kalyves (18 min drive) is another beautiful and long beach. In town it is lined with many tavernas where you can enjoy a typical Greek meal overlooking the sea, as well as hire umbrellas and sunbeds. At the northern end of town there is another sandy beach with a few hotels that serve drinks and snacks. Further north of becomes more wild.
The beach of Almyrida (16 min drive). originally a small fishing village, is a pretty cove and a popular small resort in season. There are a variety of water sports available and many tavernas right on the sea front serving locally caught fish and fresh local cuisine.
This beach is very shallow and safe, which is good news if you have children or are not a strong swimmer. Also in Almyrida there is a water sports centre which rents out kayaks, windsurfers, catamarans, pedaloes, and paddle boards.
Snorkelling/Scuba and Kayaking/Paddle Boarding
Just a 20 minute drive from our villa is Ombrogialos Cove which is famed for its brilliantly clear and vivid turquoise water that is ideal for snorkelling. Scuba is also popular at Kalavaki beach.
Almyrida is great for kayaking and paddle boarding.
Beaches for a day trip
Crete is considered to have some of the most famous and beautiful beaches in the world. Take a day trip to discover Elafonisi Beach, Balos Lagoon and Preveli the Palm Forest, all of them truly spectacular. And then there is Hora Sfakion close to us on the south coast and the boat to Loutro.
More info and pictures coming soon>>>
LOCAL VILLAGES
We have several great places to drink and eat close by.
In Sellia it’s possible to arrange a wine tasting with our local 4th generation winemaker.
Litsarda and Likotinara, Kefalas and Vamos are our closest local vilages.
Litsarda – 2km, 4 minute drive west of our villa
* Cafe Petros in next village, Litsarda – friendly family kafenon which serves delicious coffee and pastries, lunch and dinner too, with wine and beer. This is THE place to go to meet the locals and sit in the shade of a huge plane tree. The bread van stops here, as do the fruit and vegetable trucks, fisherman and all sorts of others.
* Pizzeria (Πιτσαρία Το Ασύγκριτο = Pizzeria the Unrivalled) also in Litsarda, opposite the English foods store, serves delicious pizza and burgers at bargain prices. Very nice owner.
The English store has all those kinds of foods the British miss when away from home, with many varieties of tea, puddings and baked beans 🙂
Likotinara – 1.5km, 3 mins east of villa
* Library Taverna is a favourite with many people because of its setting, good traditional food and the friendliness of the owner, Nondas, who also cooks the meals. Often he will host a music night or a quiz night and people will come from all around the area. As the names suggests, this is also the place to borrow books.
Kefalas – 4km, 8 mins north – has two tavernas and two minimarkets. It has very narrow streets and several churches. At time of writing the Taverna changed owners, so check google maps for location of this village and eating places.
Vamos – 5km, 10 mins – is a larger village which has a bank, ATM, shops, pharmacy, health centre, 4 tavernas, several cafes, and 2 petrol stations. Vamos is very popular with tourists who wish to take classes in greek cookery, pottery and hiking held in an authentic cretan village.
Guardian article – hiking from Vamos – “Why you should explore Crete in the spring – and on foot” >>> https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/mar/12/explore-crete-greek-island-the-spring-hiking-walking
Vrysses – 6.5km, 12 mins – is larger and has several tavernas next to the river where you can watch the water cascade and the geese paddle up and down while you enjoy your cretan meal under the shade trees. There’s also a wonderful patisserie and icecream shop that we can tell you about.
Georgioupoli – 7.3km, 12 minutes – is a coastal village, situated at the end of a lush valley filled with rivers and springs. The town lies on the western edge of a vast 10km long beach. There are many tavernas, bars, a bakery, butchers and minI-markets, and souvenir shops. Some tavernas have seating on the beach.
This coastal village has a very picturesque setting with the river coming out to the sea. With huge eucalyptus trees lining the streets, the white mountains as a backdrop and its small white chapel surrounded by the blue sea at the end of a breakwater, this is a very pretty seaside village.
Our favourite cafe is in this village close to the bridge that you drive over when entering the village. I love sitting on the raised terrace at the Port Cafe with a coffee, chatting to the owner Maria and enjoying the view. The cafe now has an extension across the road where you can sip cocktails on the shaded terrace and view the sea. You can also watch sports events here on their outdoor TV screen.
Another seaside village is Almyrida 9km 16 mins away from our villa. It is a small resort built around a crescent shaped sandy beach. Lining the beach are many excellent tavernas, cafes and shops. Just up the hill is Plaka a small village with several tavernas and a popular bar, and two well supplied minimarkets.
Kalyves 11.5km 18 mins is a small seaside town, retaining the original character and the local lifestyle. There are several small traditional shops, like butcher, grocer and of course bakeries famous for their excellent cheese and spinach pies (tyropita and spanakopita). Here you can also find ceramic and jewellery shops. At the end of town is a good supermarket. In the central square, the dominating Aghia Paraskevi church is open to locals and visitors. There are several tavernas in town and at either end of Kalyves you can find a number of good tavernas and cafes beside the beach.
SPECIAL EVENTS
August 15th – the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Panagia)- is one of the biggest National Holidays in Greece. Whole villages celebrate their church’s Name Day; those named after the Panagia.A Panigiri is the village festival, a celebration and feast with wine, live music and dancing. Oh, and this being Crete, quite often with celebratory gunshots too!
OUR CLOSEST VILLAGE for this celebration is Litsarda
TOWNS IN THE AREA
Chania main city, venetian port 33km 45 mins
We love going to the Saturday morning market and spending the day walking along the lanes. So many wonderful tavernas in the port area.
Rethymno town, venetian port, 30km, 35 mins
Also a good Saturday market and beautiful venetian port.
Distances and driving times from Villa Lefka Ori
Villages within 30 minutes – include Kefalas, Vamos, Ceorgioupoli, Vrysses, Almyrida, Plaka, Kalyves
neighbouring Likotinara – 1.5km, 3 mins east of villa
neighbouring Litsarda – 2km, 4 minute drive west of our villa
Kefalas 4km 8 mins
Vamos 5km 10 mins
Georgioupoli 7 km 12 minutes
Vrysses 6.5km 12 mins
Almyrida 9km 16 mins
Kalyves 11.5km 18 mins
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Favourite Day Trips
Chania 33km 45 mins
Rethymno 30km, 35 mins
It is possible to visit Heraklion and Knossos palace in one day but better to stay overnight.
Our favourite one day beach trips are as mentioned above, to Chora Sfakion from where you take the boat to Loutro; Kissamos and the boat to Balos; and Elafonisi.
SPECIAL EVENTS
August 15th – the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Panagia)- is one of the biggest National Holidays in Greece. Whole villages celebrate their church’s Name Day; those named after the Panagia.A Panigiri is the village festival, a celebration and feast with wine, live music and dancing. Oh, and this being Crete, quite often with celebratory gunshots too!
OUR CLOSEST VILLAGE for this celebration is Litsarda
Outdoor music at Aptera
