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Greece - Crete - Almeritha

The tiny fishing village of Almeritha is situated on the northern coast of the island, about a 40 minute drive from the town of Chania, and faces the Cape of Akrotiri. The village nestles in a traditional Cretan landscape of wooded hills, cypress trees and small farmhouses. Olive groves line the coast on either side of the village, sweeping down to the beach in places.

It’s fair to say that there isn’t a great deal to do in the village itself although the basics are there - there are half a dozen or so tavernas along the waterfront and a couple of grocery stores. The town is popular with families looking for a quieter holiday, nature lovers and couples.

Almeritha has a couple of excellent sandy beaches with shallow water, making them suitable for families, and the local residents ensure the beach is always clean. There are several more beaches within easy reach, and a limited selection of watersports is offered, although there is a windsurfing school.

Almeritha makes a good base for exploring the western part of Crete. Nearby is the attractive village of Plaka with its narrow streets and lovely houses, many adorned with flowers. There’s also a glass blowing factory on the outskirts of Plaka, open to the public, as well as several archaeological sites in the area. Parts of the movie Zorba the Greek were filmed on this part of the island.

Just inland from Almeritha lies one of the most beautiful parts of Crete – the Apokaronas region offers a glimpse of rural and unspoilt Crete, along with coffee houses and tiny villages where time has seemingly passed by. Unspoilt villages such as Aspro and Douliana offer a glimpse into village life, with their traditional wine presses attached to many of the cottages.

Over the past few years, Almeritha has grown slightly and has inevitably been discovered by tourists, although it still retains the laid-back atmosphere of a small fishing village – along with plenty of local color