About Aptera

 

Aptera (Megala Chorafia) is a quiet Cretan village in the prefecture of Chania. It is located on a hilltop of Apokoronas (an area between the towns of Chania and Rethymno), with view both to the sea and the White Mountains (Lefka Ori). The village probably took its name from the ancient city which was founded here, dedicated to the ancient Greek goddess Artemis (Diana) 'the Aptera' (meaning the one without wings, the grounded and Earthly one).

 

 

Aptera has very good access to Chania town centre (about 13 km away). Hourly buses pass by from the national road or a taxi / car hire can be arranged.

 

 

Chania main harbour (Souda bay) is about 7 km away, where daily ferry-boats connect to Athens.

 

 

 

Chania Airport (Daskalogiannis) is 22 km away. If you arrive at the airport, you could hire a taxi to get you here directly (about 35 euros). Alternatively, you may get the bus to Chania central bus station and then a second bus from there (departs hourly). Issue a ticket for Megala Chorafia (this option costs about 4,50 euros in total).

 

 

In terms of facilities, Aptera has a minimarket, a local café and 2-3 excellent greek tavernas to try the freshly cooked local cuisine. A wider range of tavernas, restaurants, bars, marine sport and diving activities can be found in the more popular places nearer to the sea (Kalami, Kalyves and Almyrida).

 

 

 

 

 

History

 

The area around the village is of great archaeological interest, an amalgam of the Minoan era, Venecian and Turkish occupations. By visiting the ancient ruins you can absorb the energy of ancient Aptera (links: 1, 2, 3)  dating back to the 18th c. B.C., with its greatest peak around the 4th. c. B.C. There is also an ancient Theatre, Roman baths and 'Koules' Castle (from Turkish occupation).