Resort Sfakaki

The quiet village of Sfakaki lies about 10 km east of the main regional town of Rethymno and forms part of its long suburb known as "East Rethymnon". Although it is a smaller tourist resort, it has good tourist facilities. There are several hotels and guesthouses, excellent taverns, nice bars and various shops.

The North Cretan highway connecting Rethymno and Heraklion passes through the resort, so it is no problem to rent a car and go on a trip to the nearby and more distant surroundings. There are also regular bus services from Sfakaki village to Rethymno and the neighbouring resorts of Skaleta, Stavromenos, Adelianos Kampos etc.

Sfakaki is located in the area called Arkadi, which is mainly known for the famous Venetian monastery of Arkadi. The Arkadi Monastery is a beautiful example of Greek Renaissance architecture, but it means much more to the people of Crete - it is a symbol of the heroism of the local people during the Turkish occupation. Arkadi Monastery can be found less than 12km south, inland, and is definitely worth a trip.

Sfakaki beach and sea turtles kareta

Along the resort and the sea runs the long sandy beach of Sfakaki, rated as one of the most beautiful beaches of the northern coast of Crete, which makes the resort a popular tourist destination. Sfakaki forms part of the Gulf of Rethymno and, like the other beaches in the gulf, is open to the northern winds, so the sea is often choppy. Otherwise, the waters are shallow and crystal clear, so families with children often come here.

Sfakaki beach is organized, there are places with sunbeds and umbrellas in front of the hotels and apartments, and there are several tavernas and beach bars in the vicinity of the beach. There is also a water sports centre on the beach, so you can add some adrenaline activities to your lazy beach time.

A local attraction are the giant sea turtles, which come out of the sea at night between May and September and lay their eggs in the sand on the beach. The eggs then hatch into small turtles and go back to the sea. The turtles are an endangered and protected species, so conservationists work on the local beaches to mark the turtle nests, thereby letting tourists know to be careful and cautious around them.

(The main nesting ground for these endangered turtles is the Greek island of Zakynthos - so you can learn more about them here - Turtle Island.)

Who is the centre suitable for?

The tourist-friendly resort of Sfakaki is still one of the quieter and quieter places, so don't expect any boisterous nightlife here. On the other hand, the resort has good tourist facilities and a beautiful sandy beach, which make it an ideal destination for a family or romantic holiday.

Thanks to the good transport links, it is easy to get to one of the larger resorts and enjoy the local historical sights, entertainment or major shopping.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Close resorts: Adelianos Kampos, Pigianos Kampos, Skaleta

Most favourite resorts of Crete: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion (Iraklion), Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kalamaki (Matala), Malia, Platanias (Chania), Rethymno, Stalis

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Crete.