In the heart of the Mediterranean, Crete unfolds like a stage where nature and time move in tandem. Every drive trades shadowed ravines for bare summits, plains scented with thyme and bay for ribbon-like beaches that fade into the horizon, and a sea of inimitable blue. In the southern reaches of Chania, Sfakia reveals a self-sufficient, authentic land where tranquil landscapes meet the raw allure of the White Mountains and the gaze slips into the vastness of the Libyan Sea.
Seeking echoes of the past, authentic villages, and storied monuments, the traveler opts for a destination that combines it all: a road adventure through Sfakia, centered on Anopoli and Aradena. The serpentine climb from Chora Sfakion to Anopoli is no ordinary drive but a breath-snatching experience – known locally as the “snake road.” The views over the rugged terrain foreshadow a naturally fortified world. This isolation underpinned centuries of struggle and resilience – stories that surface at every stop on the route.
Anopoli, the Village of Heroes
First stop: Anopoli, set on a fertile plateau at 600 meters, 12 kilometers from Chora Sfakion, on the southern slopes of Mount Kastro. The community encompasses Pachnes, the highest peak of the White Mountains, and from the church of Agia Aikaterini the view over the Libyan Sea is astonishing. Anopoli kept its ancient name and was once an independent city; it flourished in Roman and Byzantine times and later became a fief of the Skordilos family.
It entered history as a rebel stronghold – destroyed in 1365 by the Venetians and again in 1867 by Omer Pasha – yet its people always returned. Daskalogiannis, a wealthy shipowner and leader of the 1770 uprising, was martyred to save his companions, sealing the village’s indomitable character. Today, residents work in livestock farming, olive cultivation, and tourism, and the village offers guesthouses, tavernas, and traditional products.
Aradena Bridge and Gorge
Three and a half kilometers from Anopoli, the road reaches the abandoned village of Aradena, perched on the rim of its namesake gorge. Here spans the metal Aradena Bridge, 138 meters high – the tallest bungee-jumping site in Greece and the second-highest in Europe. Before its construction, passage relied on a stone-paved path that dropped to the gorge floor. The gorge itself runs for 7 kilometers to Marmara Beach; the hike takes 2.5-4 hours and is of moderate difficulty.
Church of Archangel Michael
Within the Aradena settlement stands the Church of Archangel Michael, built in the 14th century atop the ruins of an early Christian basilica. Inside, 14th-century frescoes survive; the church opens to the public on November 8.
Marmara, the Secret Beach
The gorge hike ends at the small beach of Marmara, with white rocks, sea caves, and a single taverna. Access is only on foot or by boat, a detail that preserves its unruffled calm. This road trip through Sfakia and Aradena leads into the historic soul of Sfakia, the resilience of Anopoli, and the wildness of the gorge – offering a true glimpse of Crete’s spirit.
Read also:
The Top Archaeological Sites and Museums of Chania
Lines in the Blue: 16 Incredible Beaches of Chania
