Kaliviani Village Crete

Kaliviani Village Crete - this small village in the very north-west of Crete retains its natural character and daily rhythms. Discover the warmth of friendliness in this traditional village, and explore around western Crete.

Kaliviani Village

Καλυβιανή is a small village of 300 or so people with traditional and modern buildings located in the north-west of Crete, just 44 km from Chania town.

In the village, there are some old falling down houses, some restored houses, apartments and some villas. This is a traditional farming community surrounded by olive groves, just a 10 minute walk to the beach, which is wild and undeveloped, with sandy and pebbly rocky coves.

The village has an elevated aspect with lovely views over the Bay of Kissamos. Many visitors come to this region of Crete to visit the exquisite white sandy beaches and lagoons just 8 km from here at Balos Lagoon. Indeed, this village makes an excellent choice of accommodation to visit several lovely beaches and other beautiful natural places in western Crete.

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Gramvousa & Balos Lagoon

The boat trip from Kastelli-Kissamos to Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon is no doubt one of the highlights of visiting Crete.

Remember these tips for visiting the lagoon:

• Cruises operate from May to October only
• The boat trip could be rough if the wind is up
• The boat trip duration is between 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes, depending on the vessel
• Take some good shoes as you will walk up to the top of Gramvousa Islet to see the ruins of the Venetian fortress and the view of the lagoon with its turquoise waters
  
• There is not much shade on the island or at the lagoon, take a hat and be prepared for sun
• There are no shops on the island, take a picnic and plenty of water
• The day tour will mean that you have 4-5 hours to relax at the beach
  
• Take some money to hire a sun bed and umbrella if you wish
• Lunch and snacks on the boat cost money too
• Take all your rubbish with you and leave only footprints

This is a popular tour so it is a good idea to book ahead. Book a ticket here online or with Cretan Daily Cruises, or at ticket offices in Kissamos:

• the main offices are located at a distance of 1 km from the town square, on the main street Iroon Polytechniou, which leads to the port, next to the supermarket
• a ticket office is at the port of Kissamos (Kavonisi), in front of the Cretan Daily Cruise boats

See a video overview of the cruise day tour below:

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Kastelli-Kissamos Town

The town of Kissamos is your embarkation point for Balos Lagoon cruises and the closest town to Kaliviani, and a well-loved holiday destination itself, with many fine beaches, a ruined fortress, a seaside esplanade, historic museums and a beautiful aspect on the wide Kissamos Bay.

Located just 44 km from Chania in the region of the same name, this town is easy to access via the national roads and on the very handy KTEL local buses.

This town is 61 km from Chania airport, and again can be reached easily with a hire car via the national roads, or on KTEL buses.

If you are driving from Chania to Kissamos over 44 km, leave about 1 hour to enjoy the journey.

Once in Kaliviani, this small village provides everything you need for a break. Do visit the local tavernas for a fresh seafood dinner whilst watching the sunset down over Kissamos Bay, gazing at the soft evening colours.

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Accommodation

There is good accommodation in Kaliviani village itself, as it is a completely natural traditional village. Other accommodation is available in the countryside and at Kissamos and beaches dotted around.

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Tavernas & Restaurants

The seafood is so fresh here, you must make a beeline for the fish tavernas strung along the harbourside in Kissamos and the inland villages of the west coast.

Restaurants in or near Kaliviani:

• Gramvousa Restaurant - great views and traditional food
  
• Mamas Dinner - fine Cretan gastronomy
  
• Agarathos Mezedopoleio - for mezedes
  
• Erofili Taverna - food from the wood oven and clay pots
  

Tavernas along the water side:

• Limani - fish taverna at the port
  
• Stimadoris Taverna - the old harbour
  
• Mavros Molos Beach Taverna - right on the beach
• Stelios and Katina Taverna - also on Mavros Molos Beach
  
• Maria Beach Taverna - right on the beach
  
• Kouzoumama - on the esplanade
  
• The Cellar Taverna - on the esplanade
  

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Exploring Western Crete

The region in the west of Crete is named Chania or Xania and holds some of the best-kept secrets of Crete, with so many nooks and crannies to explore. There are rocky mountains and gorges, forests to walk in and beautiful beaches to lie on, as well as the towns of Chania, Kissamos and Paleochora.

Some other highlights of the region include:

• Topolia Gorge
  
• Ancient Olive Trees at Ano Vouves
  
• The White Mountains
  
• Samaria Gorge
  
• Agia Irini Gorge
• Georgioupolis Beach
• Lake Kournas
• the southern coastal villages of Loutro and Sougia
  

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Getting to Kaliviani

The easiest way to get here is to take a hire car and drive from the town of Chania on the island of Crete.

Information for car rental in Crete here...

To get here more independently, fly from Athens to Chania, hire a car and drive for about 1 hour to Kissamos, then take a country road for 6.5 km to Kaliviani.

Ferries from the Greek mainland of Peleponnisos come into Kissamos Port via the islands of Kythira and Antikythira.

See the location of this village on this map, in the west of Crete in the north.

Getting here by flights, ferries, bus and hire car below: