Frangokastello Guide | Take a holiday in Frangokastello with this guide to its beaches and imposing castle

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Frangokastello

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Nearest Airport : Chania (CHQ)
ATM/Cash Machines: No
Post Office: No
Card/Coin Phones: Yes
Mini-Markets: Yes

The resort is best suited to:
Couples, Older Families and Independent Travellers.

Location
South West Crete

Frangokastello 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 Tavernas, 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.