Rethymno Villages: Spili, Anogia & the Mountain Villages

The Rethymno region holds mountain villages on the slopes of Psiloritis and Mount Kedros, from lively Spili and weaving-famous Anogia to the traditional villages of the coast and the valleys. This guide covers the villages of central Crete worth a stop, from Spili and Anogia to the resort village of Agia Galini, plus Selia, Melambes, Episkopi and Sisarha.

Region

Central Crete

Hill town

Spili, 450 m

Highest village

Anogia, 800 m

Resort village

Agia Galini

Spili

Spili is a small town on the road from Rethymno to Agia Galini, 28 km from Rethymno, at an altitude of 450 m. It sits between two cliff faces at the foot of Mount Kedros, and its name comes from the Greek word for cave, spilia. Evenings cool down here, a relief in the hot summer. Old cobbled streets run past tourist shops selling souvenirs and natural herbs. A new monastery stands at the entrance to the village, and a large car park near the centre makes a good base for exploring. Spili is a lively, pleasant stop heading south.

Anogia

Anogia is a mountain village at 800 m on the slopes of Psiloritis, 52 km from Rethymno. Its name means a high place. From here wide views open over the surrounding country, and the air stays cooler than on the coast. Anogia is a centre for weaving and embroidery, and visitors come by bus to buy tablecloths and linen. During the Second World War the Germans took all the men of the village hostage in an act of retaliation. The road in from the Heraklion side runs through Gazi, Tylissos and Gonies, past the Minoan villa of Sklavokampos.

Sisarha

Sisarha is a small traditional mountain village close to the better-known village of Anogia. It holds only a handful of houses, a kafenion, a church and some farmland. You reach it on the Heraklion road through Gazi, Tylissos, Sklavokampos and Gonies toward Anogia.

Agia Galini

Agia Galini is a charming, touristy village on the Bay of Messara on the south coast, about 1.5 hours by car from Heraklion. Its name means holy peace. Hotels and tavernas climb bougainvillea-covered steps up a steep hill. The village has souvenir shops, supermarkets and cash machines, and cosy terraces overlook a good beach. It keeps its atmosphere despite the bus tours, and Preveli beach is an easy day trip from here.

Melambes

Melambes, also written Melampbes, is a village of about 1,000 people a few kilometres north of Agia Galini on the road toward Spili and Rethymno. A number of residents work in tourism in Agia Galini during the summer. The village has the usual tavernas and a supermarket. It sits at about 550 m, with lovely views over the sea, a church and a memorial.

Selia

Selia, also spelled Sellia, is a village on the hill above Plakias on the south coast. From here the very steep descent to Plakias beach begins. Selia has old Cretan houses and a cosy feel, a beautiful church, a lion-head fountain and a memorial along the road.

Episkopi & Kufi

Episkopi is a traditional village in a fertile valley, 2 km off the highway midway between Rethymno and Georgioupoli. It keeps many old stone houses and a large church visible from afar, with more small churches and a memorial. Olive groves fill the green valley around it, and the roads lead on to a monastery, Lake Kournas and the village of Argyroupoli. Nearby on a hill sits Kufi, an almost deserted traditional village that looks over a valley and the sea, its street lined with trees and its old houses standing empty and quiet.