Scenic Southern Crete: A Drive from Spili to Triopetra Beaches
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Crete is a land filled with mythology, rich history and customs, sun-filled beaches, and wondrous farms. On this driving tour around the Kedros mountains, I’ll introduce you to some charming Cretan villages and share their traditions. You’ll also hear about the tragedies that still impact this rich region.
The tour begins in the unique village of Spili, where cool spring water from the surrounding mountains sprout out of a series of beautiful lion heads. After hitting the road, I’ll point out the Holy Monastery of Saints Rafael and other local and noteworthy churches. In the tour’s final kilometers, you'll learn about Cretan musical instruments and the accompanying dances.
This route offers a variety of experiences and includes a stopover at the charming fishing port of Agia Galini. There, you can enjoy lunch in one of the tavernas built into the hillside, or gaze upon the statues of Icarus and Daedalus standing in the amphitheater of this southern coastal town.
On this four-hour tour, you’ll have an opportunity to:
- Discover why local last names all end in “-aki”
- Visit Ano Meres’ village square, enjoy the shade of the ancient plane tree, and take in the beautiful surroundings
- Become an expert on the best oil in the world, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Drive with complete confidence along the stunning south coast, where challenging bends and beautiful views are highlighted
- Delve into Greek mythology and learn about Crete's significant historical role
- Take an almost off-road path to get a stunning view of the Melissa Cape Sandhills, where red sand rises steeply
- Feel the small pebbles between your toes and enjoy the beautiful Triopetra beach or its smaller version
- Enjoy beautiful azure blue water, made perfectly clear due to the white stone or limestone subsoil
By the end of this Cretan tour, you’ll have a greater appreciation of the island’s history and the customs locals enjoy today.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Mr. Routaki
Bio of AJ alias Mr. Routaki:
Since 1995 I have been coming to Crete. An island that has stolen my heart. The Samaria Gorge was my very first working area and in the following seasons many more regions followed in a wide variety of professions.
And always surrounded by friendly guests who had all kinds of questions. That is why the Routaki routes also provide the information desired by you as a guest of the island.
After completing my tourism education (M.T.R.O.) I found the right activities in this wonderful profession.
Guide, tour leader, resort host, underwater-cameraman, restaurant owner, Jeep safari guide or sailing (flotilla) leader. All these experiences I use nowadays when compiling my information and stories which I incorporate into my car routes and city walks.
Daily life on Crete interwoven with the stories of the many acquaintances I have been able to listen to over the past thirty years.
The first routes were created in 2006 using CDs (and even cassette tapes!!). Parts of routes from back then have now, with the help of the VoiceMap app, grown into a beautiful portfolio of day trips in the three languages I master; Dutch, English and German.
The Infotheek on my Routaki.com website will continue to grow and many more routes and walks will follow.
Some of my goals are to apply augmented reality and to show you the traditions of the olive harvest or wedding ceremonies even outside the usual periods.
I continue to immerse myself in the Cretan culture traditions and customs. I read about recent developments and combine this for you into a wonderful holiday day experience.
Through the many ‘interest media’ I am happy to keep you informed.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 57
View over Triopetra beach and the actual three stones
View locations and route
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Spili
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The Lion Fountain
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Agia Galini
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Agia Galini Beach
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Triopetra
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Agios Pavlos
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationAgiou Charalampous, Spili 740 53, Greece
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Total distance92km
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Final location35.16364524, 24.58759972
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Distance back to start location8km
Directions to Starting Point
This route starts at the village parking lot of Spili and is 92 km long. You can enter this parking lot from two sides (In Spili, you can first explore the village, or decide to do so at the end of this route, on your way back to your accommodation. The special thing about Spili is the lion heads water sources).
Spili can be reached via a 'highway-like' road from Rethymnon. The village is metioned on the road signs.
On the end of the tour, you'll be given the option to drive via the south coast highway back via Tympaki and Mires to Heraklion.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
In Spili, you can first explore the village, or decide to do so at the end of this route. The Venetian water sources in the form of lion heads are a must see.
In the Kedros mountain range you pass through several Cretan village where you can stop for a coffee. Agia Galini has its amphitheater and the beautiful Icaros & Daedalus Statues.
The beaches of Agios Pavlos and Triopetra are a must visit.
Best time of day
The route can be completed throughout the year, if there is no snow on the roads and is designed to span a day.
The actual driving time is approximately 4 hours, but there are numerous opportunities to explore or enjoy pleasant breaks.
Please be aware that the conclusion of the tour is approximately 45 minutes from the starting point when using the New National Road.
Precautions
Bring your smartphone battery charger, maintain an average speed of 55-60 km or less in the mountainous regions, wear appropriate clothing for churches and monasteries, purchase the correct language version of the route (Dutch or English), ensure that the route is NOT set to the audio-book setting, if you have one, bring a smartphone holder, disable automatic screen turn-off (don't forget to put it back on afterwards).
Get The App
Get The App
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