Top Crete Holiday Destinations:
Agia Galini | Agia Ionnis | Akrotiri | Almeritha |
Analipsi | Agios Nikolaos | Agia Pelagia | Bali | Chania | Elounda | Elafonisi |
Fodele | Frangokastello | Georgioupolis | Gerani | Gouves | Gournes | Hersonissos
| Heraklion | Ierapetra | Kalives | Kissamos | Kokkini Hani | Kolymbari | Koustogerako
| Koutouloufari | Lassithi | Loutro | Maleme | Malia | Matala | Milatos | Palekastro
| Paleohora | Piskopiano | Plakias | Platanias | Rethymnon | Sfakia | Sensatori |
Sissi | Sitia | Sougia | Souda Bay | Stalis | Veni | Vrouchas
Most Popular Guides:
Aquasplash | Clubbing Guide | Creta Aquarium | Crete Car Hire | Crete Outdoors |
Cretan Recipes | Easter in Crete | Flights to Crete | Golf in Crete | Heraklion Museums
| Knossos Palace | Cruise around Crete |
Learn Greek | Samaria Gorge | Spinalonga
| Travel Insurance | Watercity | Weather in Crete | Working in Crete | Workers Rooms
| Workers Insurance | Workers Flights | Vai beach
Other Services:
Greece Travel Blog
| Cheap Calls | Crete Holiday Bargains | Holiday Voucher Codes | Hotel Reviews |
Newsletter | Travel Tips | About Us | Sitemap | FAQs | Privacy Policy | Crete &
Greece Travel Links
UK Travel Extras | Villas in Crete | Add your villa in Crete |
Malia Workers Rooms | Disclaimer
follow us on:
Frangokastello Holiday Travel Guide
Choosing to take a holiday in Frangokastello means your after peace, quiet and a
very relaxing holiday in a village that has hardly been touched by mass tourism.
The village is situated in the region of Sfakia on the south west coast of Crete.
Getting
to Frangokastello is done mainly by car hire, following the long winding roads from
Chania. The village does have a bus service but it is not regular like other parts
of west Crete.
Its still a small developing village, with a few facilities and restaurants, but
there is no nightlife to speak of, but if your coming here for a holiday then its
not what you would be looking for anyway.
Frangokastello is famous for its imposing
Venetian castle built to protect the citizens of the area against the Turkish invaders
and hold a place in history. In 1828 Hadzi Michali Daliani fought for Crete’s independence
and held out in the castle where most people of the region hid in the hills. Hadzi
and his soldiers were famously massacred by the Turks and locals claim that each
day in May the ghosts of Daliani rise in the mist and march from the castle.
Frangokastello Beaches
The beaches of Frangokastello are lovely and sandy and shelve
gently into the sea, there are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire on a daily basis and
the beach is well maintained with a small beach bar serving up drinks and snacks.
The
sea around the area is perfect for snorkelling with many rocky outcrops jutting out
into the sea. Fishing here is also a favourite pastime of the locals so remember
to bring your fishing rod and catch the sea bream and mullet that swim these shores.
If its fishing for big game fish that interests you then there are plenty of boat
trips available in the Sfakia area.
Please be aware that the winds on the south of Crete are quite strong and can whip
up quite a storm on these lovely sandy beaches. If you find its a windy day, best
to go exploring this wonderful area than lay on the beach.
Sights of Frangokastello
The
main sight of this tiny little village has to be the |Venetian castle of Frangokastello,
from which the village takes it’s name. It was built in 1371 by the Venetians to
protect and stronghold the area against invaders and pirates. After a century it
was largely forgotten as the Venetians realised this area was less important the
north west Crete.
You can explore the castle at your own pace, and see what's left of the bastions, barracks, storerooms, stables and kitchens. You can get some excellent pictures here.
There is a wonderful little monastery just south of the castle called the Monastery
of Agios Charalambos. Its well kept even today and was built and expanded on by
the monks and nuns of the time. It has some lovely frescos and artwork within the
monastery. Most of the work was done by an artist aptly named the Painter of Frangokastello,
although a lot of these paintings and artwork have been unfortunately stolen over
the past century.
Where to stay and eat in Frangokastello
The small village of Frangokastello
has a few choice hotels, one notably is Stavris Studios, a fairly modern set of studios,
with lovely gardens, swimming pools and just a stones throw from the beach.
If your looking to eat in Frangokastello then you will find some charming little
Greek Taverna's, cooking up some excellent Greek dishes including the local specialities
of Boureki a courgette and potato bake and Tsigariasto which is sautéed lamb.
If you
choose a restaurant, make sure you see a fully priced menu before you order, and
choose a Tavernas that you see a lot of Greek people eating at.
Recommended books
Useful resort details
Nearest Airport : Chania (CHQ)
ATM/Cash Machines: No
Post Office: No
Card/Coin Phones:
Yes
Mini-
The resort is best suited to:
Couples, Older Families and Independent
Travellers.
Location
South West Crete
Resort video from YouTube
Find cheap holiday deals for Crete and Greece. Choose from a selection of top travel
agents and book your dream holiday online.
| Tour Operators |
| UK Travel Extras |
| Fanourakis |
| Oasis Village |
| Patricia |
| Stonewell |
| Happy Days |
| Aloni Suites |
| Elen Hotel |
| Dimitris Villas |
| Travel Insurance |
| Piskopiano Village |