18°C
This lies at the mouth of the impressive gorge of Aghia Irini: an old city (once termed Syia, or the Place of Hogs), it too acted as a harbour-town for Elyros.
Elyros was a Doric city-state and one of the largest centres of population in west Crete. Its floruit was in the Classical period (500-350 BC), and it eventually fell victim to the Saracen Arabs when invading in the 9th century AD. Its ruins are to be found on the Kefala hill, close to the village of Rodovani.
The beach here is again remarkable for its beauty: 1.5 km in length, it has pebbles and sand, and green icy waters which drop away suddenly. Quite popular, it has been developed with umbrellas, sun-beds and showers .. various sports, and a lifeguard! All along the beach grow tamarisks, where you can camp and enjoy their shade. A small cove at the east end is quite unspoilt, isolated and frequented by nudists.
During a stay here in the quite well-appointed town, with rooms and eating places of diverse sorts, there are many things for you to do. All summer long, boats journey thence to Palaiochora, Loutro, Chora Sphakion and Aghia Roumeli.
You can visit the gorge of Aghia Irini with its oaks (hence all the pigs once!): it is but 20-30 minutes walk away: walking the gorge itself needs some 4 hours. To the west is a church, that of Aghios Panteleimon: it is noted for some splendid mosaic pavements of the 6th century AD, depicting scenes from nature and Christian symbols .. like deer and peacocks.
Proceeding east from Sougia, you will find the beach of Aghios Antonios.
Αμμώδης
Ναι
Ναι
Ναι
Ναι
The Rural Greece is an online portal that connects travellers with unique destinations and local businesses in the countryside, offering authentic experiences through activities that highlight nature, traditions and culture.
For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
This type of tourism is based on three pillars:
With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
