Amari Valley Drive
This Amari Valley drive in southern Crete starts and ends in Ayia Galini, takes four to five hours, and cover 100 kilometers or 62 miles.
Map (c) Google Maps
The Amari Valley is one of the most beautiful and fertile regions of Crete. Despite this, and the fact that it is easily reached from popular tourist spots on both the north and south coast, comparatively few visitors venture there.
Those that do, enjoy some breath-taking views, see orchards, vineyards, and olive groves, and will experience genuine Cretan hospitality in the lovely villages encountered en route.
It is easy to start the drive from Rethymnon, and join this route at Ayía Fotínis (30 km/18.6 miles from Rethymnon), but our route from Ayía Galíni begins with some winding roads with spectacular views.
Leaving Ayía Galíni
Take the only road out of Ayía Galíni. Ignore the first two roads going off to the left. After 5 km (3.1 miles) take the left turn for Amári and Rethymnon. As you now head north you see the southern slopes of the Psilorítis range ahead of you to the right.
Ayia Galini
Paraskevi
After 2 km (1.2 miles) a sign in Greek indicates the left turn to Paraskeví, which you take. The road is asphalt but watch out for the pot-holes! There are olive groves on either side, and high in the hills to your left is the mountain village of Mélambes.
In Ayía Paraskeví the church of the Panayía has fine 16th century frescoes, though you will have to park and ask for directions as it is hidden away, off the main road. This road winds up through Ayía Paraskeví and becomes more gravelly with some sharp uphill bends. The high peak on the left on the far side of the valley is Kédhros (1,776 meters/5,827 feet).
To Áno Méros
At the next junction take the left fork towards Rethymnon. This is a wonderful road that snakes down into the valley and up the other side, with many a sharp bend. Passengers may want to look out for eagles and vultures circling overhead.
Some 9 km (5.6 miles) after the junction you reach an unmarked junction. Turn right. 2 km (1.2 miles) beyond is the sleepy hamlet of Khordáki, and a few kilometres beyond that the hill town of Áno Méros, where white houses fill the hillside and there are a few cafés and shops.
Vrises
About 4 km (2.5 miles) beyond Áno Méros is Vríses, where there are more shops and cafés and, on the right of the main road, a large, white war memorial. These Amari Valley villages may look peaceful now, but after the kidnapping of the German General Kreipe during the battle for Crete in World War II, German troops destroyed the villages by way of reprisal, slaughtering the village men, looting and burning the houses, and even dynamiting schools and cemeteries. The villages you pass through today were rebuilt after the war, although a few old churches survived the destruction.
Yerakári
5 km (3.1 miles) after Vríses is Yerakári, the centre of the cherry-growing area of the valley. If you pull over at one of the shops or tavernas you should be able to buy or sample some cherry brandy or cherry preserve.
Méronas
Continue through Yerakári, and ignore the left turn to Spíli and some minor turns, staying on the main road towards Méronas. In Méronas look for the old church on the right. Park around the next bend where there is a monument to the villagers who have died in various wars from 1717 to 1949.
Walk back to look at the beautiful 14th century Byzantine church of the Panayía. It has lovingly-tended gardens outside, and inside the walls and ceilings are covered with frescoes.
Ayía Fotínis
A few kilometres beyond Méronas is a picnic stop on the right, with fabulous views of the valley. Soon after this is the village of Ayía Fotínis, where you meet a main road: turn right, signposted for the Asomati School. After 1 km (0.6 miles) turn left, for Thrónos.
Thrónos
In Thrónos is the wonderful 11th century church of the Panayía, on the right. Though usually locked, there is part of a lovely mosaic to be seen on the floor outside the church, and beyond it good views of the valley.
To Amari Village
Beyond Thrónos the road forks. Turn right to loop back down and meet the main road again, where you turn left. When you reach the next few houses take the sharp right turn to the village of Amári itself.
In Amári, park in the small square outside the taverna and walk up the nearby narrow street that heads up towards the Venetian Bell Tower. You can climb the tower to enjoy the views but there is no guard rail so take care. Drive back out of the village square the same way you came in, keeping straight on past the Police Station and on through Monastiráki to rejoin the main road.
Fourfourás and Kouroútes
At the main road turn right, signposted Vizári. Drive on through Vizári to Fourfourás. Drive on through Fourfourás and Kouroútes, and as you leave the next village, Níthavris, take the road to Timbáki ignoring the right turn to Ayíos Ioánnis.
Apodoúlou
At Apodoúlou, if time allows, park in the village and look for the signs to the Minoan site which is still being excavated, and to the 14th century church of Ayíos Yiórgios.
Back to Ayia Galini
Beyond Apodoúlou, ignore the left fork marked Platanías and keep on the main road, to the right but not signposted. Rejoin the main road and turn left towards Timbáki, then at the next junction turn right back to Ayía Galíni.
Other Crete pages
Hiking the Samaria Gorge on Crete, one of the best things to do on Crete, by Greece Travel Secrets.
Cretan music is part of the island’s soul and visitors will hear live music wherever they go, with several distinctive Cretan musical instruments and songs.
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has four ENUESCO sites, which are Sitia, Psiloritis, Asterousia, and the Gorge of Samaria.
Matala Beach on Crete is a guest blog for Greece Travel Secrets from the We Love Crete website, inviting you to Awaken Your Inner Hippy in Matala, Crete.
Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.
The Diktean or Diktaean Cave, also known as the Psychro Cave, near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus.
Visiting Knossos near Iraklion is one of the best things to do on Crete, and this page has a history of the site with visitor information.
Practical information on travelling around Greece by plane, by ferry, by bus, by train and by driving, including car rental, parking and other driving advice.
The Goules Taverna in Goulediana, south of Rethymnon, has been called one of the best tavernas on Crete and Greece Travel Secrets recently visited them.
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
The area east from Paleohora along the south-west coast of Crete includes resorts like Agia Galini, gorges like the Imbros Gorge and quieter towns like Sfakia.
This Rouvas Gorge walk starts and ends in Zaros in southern Crete and should take three to four hours with a distance of eight kilometres or five miles.
The Samaria Gorge is one the longest gorges in Europe and doing the hike is one of the best and most popular things to do on Crete.
Scenic Drives in Northern Greece, Ioannina, Meteora, Kastoria, Prespa Lakes
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Margarites is known on Crete for its pottery, with ceramics shops and workshops lining the streets of this charming small town not far from Rethymnon.
The best things to do on Crete and top things to see include the Samaria Gorge, the Minoan Palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the towns of Chania and Rethymnon.
Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.
The Battle of Crete during World War 2 inspired several books and took place with an airborne invasion over Maleme on the north coast of the island.
The Dalabelos Estate offers luxury eco-tourism accommodation on Crete in the hills near Rethymnon with its own farm, vineyard and olive groves.
Athens car rental options include almost all of the major international car hire firms such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Europcar.
Elounda on Crete's north coast is a popular holiday town with a pretty harbour, from where you can take day trips by boat to see the island of Spinalonga.
Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.
Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...
Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?
- Click on the HTML link code below.
- Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment,
your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.
-
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Kos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Read More
-
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Samos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Read More
-
The Council of the European Union on Monday agreed on the directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities. The announcement follows the…
Read More
-
A coastal pedestrian-bicycle lane from Kallithea to Voula along the Athenian Riviera is the next big project to be implemented after an agreement signed this week between the Region of Attica and the…
Read More
-
Boosting investments and the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece are at the top of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ agenda for his visit this week to London.
Read More
-
Greece Travel Secrets picks some of the best things to do on Naxos in the Cyclades, including discovering the beaches, villages, and ancient ruins.
Read More
-
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Naxos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Read More
-
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Kefalonia, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Read More
-
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Zakynthos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Read More
-
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Lesbos, with a monthly summary of the weather, plus hotel prices and special events to help plan a visit.
Read More