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Spili Village Crete

Spili Village Crete - this small village in the is 27 km from Rethymnon town in the region of the same name in the central west of Crete, Greece. The word 'spili' in Greek means 'cave' and it is thought that the village gets its name from local caves.

Spili Village

Σπήλι is known for its cooling shady plateias and running waters. The focal point of the village is its 'kefalovrissi' or Lions Fountain, a series of lion heads with lovely cool spring water trickling out of them. On a dry and harsh Mediterranean island such as Crete, you have to understand what a miracle running water is, and natural springs are mothers nature's gifts.

This village of around 800 locals is a crossroads between the north and south coasts, between the beautiful Amari Valley and the beaches of Preveli, Plakias, Agia Fotini,Triopetra and Agia Galini in the south.

Also to the south is the Kourtaliotiko Gorge which leads to Preveli Beach.

Those taking the local buses may need to stop to change buses here, definitely make time to sit beneath the flowing plane trees and drink a local coffee, perhaps a raki and some mezedes next to the gurgling waters.

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The E4 Walk in Crete Includes Spili

The E4 Walking Path in Crete is a long path starting at Kastelli-Kissamos in the north-west and ending in Kato Zakros in the south-east of the island, covering 320 km in total and taking in some of the most breathtaking scenery on the island.

The path comes through this village with a 14.3 km section starting in Agouseliana along local roads to Koxare and ending in Spili.

The next day, starting in Spili, walkers hike 18.5 km to Kissos, climb Mount Kedros and walk down Gerakari village.

Remember these tips for walking the path:

• take a good hiking map with you
• get a good guidebook (see below)
  
• always talk to the locals about the upcoming path
  
• share notes with your fellow walkers
• only experienced hikers should tackle the high mountain route
  
• take all your rubbish with you and leave only footprints

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The Amari Valley

If you take the main road from Rethymnon to Spili then on to Agia Galini on the south coast, you will miss this valley.

To see the valley, turn at Spili towards Gerakari and make your way through the various small villages with interesting discoveries at every turn. Leave a full day to expore.

The green Amari Valley runs west to east along the Platys river at the foothills of Mount Ida and Mount Kedros. Mt Ida is also known as 'Psiloritis' or 'the tall one', and is the highest mountain in Crete. The run-off from melting snow on these mountain ranges causes streams and rivers to run with fresh water and springs also feed the waterways in many locations.

This area is to the east of Spili and Patsos and contains the villages of Apostoli, Vistagi, Apodoulou, Gerakari, Thronos and Kamares. The water rich area means plenty of agriculture, fruit trees and all sorts of berries and nuts, as well as sheep pastures, goat runs and bee hives. 

As a rich land, it has been inhabited since ancient times, and history lovers will find many, many sites to visit of different epochs and cultures including Minoan, Roman and Byzantine. These sites, as well as the stunning mountainous scenery, as reason enough to visit the area.

Springtime is wonderful here as the wildflowers are plentiful and the pastural fields are abloom with flowers.

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Accommodation

There is good accommodation in the village itself, as it is a completely natural traditional village. Other accommodation is available in the countryside and at Rethymnon and villages dotted around the Amari Valley.

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Tavernas & Restaurants

There are quite a few tavernas here serving traditional Cretan food for the many travellers on the road from Rethymnon to beaches on the south coast.

Restaurants in or near Spili:

• To Sideradiko - traditional food
• Yiannis Taverna
• Cafe Plateia - next to the water fountain
  

Tavernas near the coast:

• Taverna Mariou - a great view over the bay of Plakias
• Taverna Plateia in Mirthios - another great view and meal
  
• Agia Fotia Taverna - great for fresh seafood in a quiet setting
  
• Paligremnos Taverna by the beach
• Gioma Taverna on the seafront at Plakias
  

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Exploring Central Crete

The region in the central west of Crete is named Rethymnon and holds some of the most historic sites of Crete, with so many mountains, gorges and beaches to discover. There are rocky cliffs and crevasses, forests to walk in and beautiful beaches to lie on, as well as the Venetian historic old town of Rethymnon.

Some highlights of the region, not mentioned above, include:

• Arkadi Monastery
  
• Psiloritis Mountain Range
  
• Melidoni Cave
• Agia Fotini Beach
• Preveli Beach (pictured above) and Preveli Monastery
  
• Plakias Beach
• Frangokastello Beach
• Triopetra Beach
  

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On the Map

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

Pre-Book your day tour to Preveli Beach here

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Getting Here

The easiest way to get here is to take a hire car and drive from the town of Rethymnon 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 and a half hours, a total of 89 km. If you would like to drive to Rethymnon town first, the road takes you very close, and the trip would be 96 km.

Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.

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About the Team

Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
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