A working fishing village sitting on the western corner of the bay of Chania, at the base of the Rodopos peninsula in north west Crete. It is an easy 40 minutes drive from Chania International Airport or Souda Bay ferry port along the national highway. The seat of the municipality of Kolimbariou, the Mayor and City Hall, Kolimbari itself has a population of only 1008, worlds away from the maddening crowds of northern Europe.The village has a variety of small shops, a supermarket, tavernas, cafes, a bank, a post office, a doctor, a dentist, a fairly new fishing museum, the ubiquitous periptero and more recently, a new modern hotel - with another planned.
There is a long sand and pebble beach which is never overcrowded. There is a new Harbour and an old harbour - both active with the coming and going of fishing boats. Occasionally, a reasonably large ferry plies between the new harbour and Dyktinna. A relaxing hour or two can be spent trying a spot of rod or snorkel fishing yourself.
The village is an ideal centre from which to explore northwest Crete:- West to Kastelli town, beyond which lies the beautiful western coast road, the renowned beaches of Falasarna and eventually, after a superb mountain drive with magnificent views high above the seascape - Elifonnisi.
East to the popular and busy seaside resorts of Platanias and Agia Marina and on to the historic City of Chania.And visits south to the mountainous regions – the well known Samaria Gorge and the Lefka Ori mountains, the ‘White Mountains’ of Crete, are within reasonable distance, as are the seaside resorts of Sougia and Paleochora.
On the outskirts of Kolimbari is the historic Monastery Gonia – still an active Greek orthodox religious centre with services, resident priests and a museum. A little further along the road is the Greek Orthodox Academy where several international conferences are held every year. Both within easy walking distance from Lefka and well worth a visit.
The Orthodox Academy is 2-3 minutes by car or 10 – 15 minutes on foot.
(There are also popular small swimming spots below the academy, a little further along the road, at Afrata beach and at Ravdoucha beach. All tantalizingly close).
Venture further along this road from the academy and it winds steeply upwards at the start of the Rodopos peninsula – only inhabited by sheep and goats until you reach the villages of Afrata, Astratigos and Rodopos. Continue your journey beyond Rodopos and the road becomes an unmade track, eventually forking left to the old church of St. John. Continuing straight on at the fork eventually leads to the tip of the peninsula at the ancient site of Diktinna. Only seasoned well equipped walkers should proceed beyond Rodopos village without suitable vehicles.
Kolimbari is up-and-coming. It is still far from the maddening crowds. But it is close enough to everywhere that both the holiday-maker and the specialist tourist can easily reach their goals during the day, and spend their nights relaxing with good food and perhaps a little wine whilst planning the next days activities!Well worth a stay.
