Places nearby
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Kavros
Just a few steps away from Orpheas Resort you can find Kavros village. Kavros was once a fertile farming land, and the farmers planted mainly peanuts, melons and potatoes in the wide plain.
Kavros is recommended for groups of friends and couples as it meets the needs of the visitor who seeks peaceful holidays. You can find shops and taverns with great Cretan food!Places near Kavros you should visit: Kournas lake and Rethymno city with its venetian old town and port.
(GPS: 35.351463, 24.297162 ) -
Georgioupolis
Georgioupolis village is a coastal, fishing village situated in Chania, 4 km away from Orpheas Resort. It’s a charming village with great view to White Mountains and the longest sandy beach on Crete! Almyros river flows in Georgioupolis. In the area you can find taverns, cafes and shops. Ideal location for those who seek quiet holidays.
(GPS: 35.362669, 24.259900 )Places near Georgioupolis you should visit: Apokoronas villages and Frangokastello.
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Argiroupolis
In the place that in the present days stands Argiroupolis was the ancient city of Lapa (GPS: 35.285686, 24.335406 ). As myths say, king Agamemnon, the hero of the Trojan war, created Lapa. Lapa was one of the most important cities of western Crete during Roman times. It controlled the area around it from the north to the south coast. It had two harbours, one on the north coast of Crete and another on the south. It is said that its harbour was Finix on the south coast of Crete in present-day Loutro. In the Greek wars they were allies of Knossos but when Knossos destroyed Lyttos the people of Lapa accepted the Lyttoans in their city. Lapa was also important during Byzantine times till it was destroyed by the Arabs in 828 A.D.
Today, in the northwest area of Argyroupolis , the vegetation is very rich and there are small, beautiful water springs (GPS: 35.287290, 24.332580 ). In older times, the water power was used to grind grain. The water mills still stand today.
The flora of the area is quite interesting. You can follow the beautiful path through the springs and visit the cave which houses Agios Ioannis or Agia Dynami church and from which Mouselas river springs.
The water flowing through the church is considered sacred and miraculous. Argyroupolis is also well-known for its lovely taverns , where you can taste exquisite dishes of the traditional Cretan cuisine.Pente Parthenes church is another place worth to visit in Argyroupolis (GPS: 35.290823, 24.339558 ). Inside the church, there is a Roman vaulted tomb. The church is dedicated to Pente Parthenes (Five Saint Virgins),
who are said to have died in the area. Their names were Thekla, Marianna, Athena, Martha and Maria. -
Kournas
Lake Kournas is the only large natural lake in Crete and is located in an enchanting landscape, surrounded by high mountains and olive groves.
Lake Kournas and its surroundings constitute a very important ecosystem for Greece. Kournas is one of the very few areas of Crete where plenty of fresh water is stored throughout the year.
For this reason, it is protected under the Natura 2000 program. It is an ideal place for relaxation and a walk. In summer, a stroll around the turquoise lake lasts less than an hour (3.5 km).FLORA AND FAUNA
Kournas Lake and its surroundings constitute a very important ecosystem for Greece. Kournas is one of the very few areas of Crete where plenty of fresh water is stored throughout the year. For this reason, it is protected under the Natura 2000 program.
Many species of birds find shelter here, like moorhens, ducks, herons and cormorants. Also, the lake has always been known for its eels. This wetland also hosts water snakes and terrapins. Especially for the terrapins, a rare type of terrapin lives here (Malaclemys terrapin) with spots on its shell.SOME LEGENDS ABOUT KOURNAS
The lake has dark water and inspires awe to everyone who visits it. Thus, in the past, locals believed that the lake is bottomless. This myth has been broken, since the maximum depth of it has been estimated at 22.5m.A second myth states that God got angry about the sinful behavior of locals and caused a flooding to punish them. The residents were all drowned, except the daughter of the priest, which is the fairy that has been seen by locals.
(GPS: 35.332526, 24.279695 ) -
Rethymnon
Explore one of the best preserved medieval cities in Greece, and search for your fairy-tale romance. Rethymno is located in northwestern Crete and it is 56 km from the city of Chania and 81 km from the capital of Crete, Heraklion. It is one of the most important tourist destinations and the visitor can enjoy the scenic and beautifully structured city. It is an earthly paradise for anyone who wants to spend relaxing vacations, strolling the quaint streets or enjoying the paths among the historical and natural sites. The old town of Rethymno largely retains its urban structure , formed during the Venetian rule , with the changes made to the Turkish conquest and continuous inhabitation until today and that is why it has been declared a historical monument and a traditional settlement .
Venetian fortification works mingle harmonically with orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, majestic mansions of Venetian architecture, arches and cobbled paths which create a magical atmosphere, reminiscence of the city’s turbulent –yet glorious– past.
There are two sides to Rethymno offering two styles of visit: the endless big beach hotel strip that stretches from the east end of Rethymno - and - the Rethymno that allows you the character of the old town with its mix of architecture and history, cultural influences and styles ranging from Venetian to Ottoman empire.Before leaving the beach, we should mention that there are other visitors - the turtles. Caretta Caretta turtles are also regular visitors along the beaches of Rethymno and return between June and August to lay their eggs each year.
The Venetian harbour...
Rethymno's harbour area is a fine place for a coffee at one of the cafes and perhaps you will chance to eat there, just for the atmosphere.The Fortress dominates the city and makes Rethymno very photogenic, its pedestrian streets below, strewn with charming old buildings. Venetian influences abound and the minarets and domed mosques remind of the Turkish influence long gone.
Numerous shops for souvenirs, trendy fashion or imaginative jewellery...the old and the modern combine to make a colourful and buzzing town.
(GPS: 35.366070, 24.474053 ) -
Chania
Chania is the coastal city of northwest Crete, one of the major ports and the capital of the prefecture of Chania. It’s located 40 km away from Orpheas Resort.
It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Greece since it has beautiful beaches, small green valleys, majestic tall mountains and deep gorges.The jewel of the city, which is famous, is the picturesque Venetian Harbour which attracts many visitors and inhabitants, each year, mainly during the summer months and the winter since its beauty charms even in winter time. Visitors will find many restaurants, taverns, cafes and bars right beside the sea while admiring the view of the historic lighthouse harbor. It is also worth doing some romantic walks in the old city "intramural " which preserve their Venetian nobility. Narrow streets surrounded by majestic renovated houses of several seasons and many neoclassical buildings survive in districts which "neighbor " to the city of Chania, like Xalepa .
Chania visitors experience unique moments by following the traces of the past. The culture of the city unfolds in front of their eyes: archaeological sites, museums, churches and entire neighborhoods show the history of this exceptional place in time. Main attractions of Chania is the entire Old Town and the Venetian Harbour, the Maritime Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the house of Eleftherios Venizelos, the tombs of the Venizelos, the war museum and many other monuments of Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman and modern period, and the Archaeological Museum of Kissamos 36 km away from the town of Chania. The city presents important historical background and cultural heritage due to its perennial friction with different civilizations. Furthermore it is distinguished by an extremely rich cultural tradition. The Cretan folk tradition imprinted the local art (handmade woven, Chevron, carpets, blankets etc). You can also find unique handcrafted glass, wood and metal, along with pottery, woodwork and metalwork. It is certain that if one visited once Chania will want to come back to live unique moments and browse unlimited natural and historical beauties of the city and the prefecture of Chania in general.
(GPS: 35.515084, 24.024019 & 35.518599, 24.013899 - municipal parking)Places near Chania you should visit: Elafonisi - an exotic beach with its clear light blue waters, Sfakia - a fish village, extraordinary Samaria Gorge and traditional Theriso village.
Contact Details
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Orpheas Resort
- Kavros, Gergiopoupolis, 73007, Crete, Greece
- Tel: +30 28250 61218
- Fax: +30 28250 61007
- Email: info@orpheas-resort.gr
- ΜΗ.Τ.Ε. 1042K014A0172200
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