Akrotiri (the "Cape") is the common name for the peninsula that lies to the north east of the city of Chania. Here are the tombs of Eleftherios and Sofoklis Venizelos, the airport of Chania and the port of Souda.
Akrotiri is a place for nature lovers, with interesting walking and hiking paths through the unspoiled gorges with amazing diversity, natural beauty and living traditions. Also available are water sports, playgrounds, fitness centers and a horse-riding centre.
Its dry climate combined with the sea breeze forms an ideal environment not only for people but also for the farm produce, which is renowned for its high quality and taste.
With picturesque sandy beaches, all awarded with the Blue Flag, century-old monasteries and churches, impressive caves with rich litho logical and archaeological interest, historical monuments, Akrotiri attracts many visitors every year, who enjoy Cretan hospitality and nature at their best.
The road network is quite extensive and in good condition, reaching all the villages and beaches of Akrotiri. There is also a very frequent bus connection with Chania.
The biggest part of the area is flat except from the eastern side that is rocky with a rugged hill range -giving the impression of high mountains - and pierced by a few gorges that end to the sea in some very scenic rocky coves.
Another characteristic of those hills are the numerous caves that can be found there, with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites sometimes with amazing shapes. Findings of archaeological and historical interest prove that the caves were used as a place of worship as well as a refuge from the invasions of pirates.
Other places to visit on Akrotiri include the Agia Triada Monastery with its Venetian facade, Gouverneto Monastery where the Turks killed all monks and burned books and icons in 1821, and the Katholiko Monastery, set in a narrow ravine spanned by a bridge, Crete's first monastery, founded by St John the Hermit in the 11th century. In the nearby cave the stalagmite near the entrance is said to be Artemis transformed into a bear.
