Askifou plateau is about 50 kilometres from Chania, at an altitude of 730 metres, and is part of the area known as Sfakia. It is surrounded by the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and resembles a giant cup, a skyphos in Ancient Greek, whence the name Askifou.

In 1821 there was a battle here between the Turks and the Sfakians, resulting in victory for the locals, Unfortunately the villages of Askifou were burned down by Hussein Bey two years later, in 1823. A relic of those times is the small fortress still standing at the top of the hill northeast of the plateau.

The name Askifou is said to derive from the ancient word Skifos, which means cup, as the circular plain looks like one. It is full of snow in winter and all green in Spring. The inhabitants are occupied with raising live stock, farming (grains, cereals, potatoes, grape), cheese and wine making and producing the Cretan liquor Raki (Sighoudia).

There are many wallnut trees in the area, as well as fruit trees and honey flowers. Try the wallnuts, fruits and honey from here, it's the best you ever had!
Photos: Turkish 19th century fort overlooking Askifou plateau, Crete.

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Stroumboulas plateau in Heraklion

Limnakaro Plateau by Lassithi Mountains

Erganos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Sitanos Plateau by Sitia

Omalos - Simi - Viannos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Omalos plateau in the White mountains

Anopolis plateau in Sfakia mountains

Kallikratis plateau in Chania, West Crete

Katharo plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Krapi plateau in the White mountains

Livadi plateau in Kroussonas

Nida plateau in the Idi mountains

Lapathos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Asfendou plateau in the White mountains

Evdomo plateau in Tilissos

Prasses Gorge in West Crete

Moundros or Velonado gorge in Rethimno west Crete

The Gorge of Elygia or Eligia, East of Samaria gorge

Mili or Myli gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Imbros Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Prasano gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Arkadi gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Margarites gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Topolia Gorge in Kisamos, Kasteli West Crete

Kandanos Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Galiano gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Fygous Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Kandanos Gorge - Spina gorge

Lissos Gorge in West Crete

Rokka Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Ilios apartments in Maleme Chania

Delta studios and apartments in Chania West Crete

Silde apartments in Chania, West Crete

Manolis Rooms in Paleochora, West Crete

Sassalos village by Kissamos

Sirikari village by Kissamos in Chania, West Crete

Temenia in Paleochora-Kandanos, west Crete traditional villages

Plemeniana Village, Kandanos west Crete traditional villages

Moni in Sougia-Chania, west Crete traditional villages

Kastri Village in Gavdos Island

Pemonia village in Chania, West Crete

Theriso in Chania, west Crete traditional villages

Elos village by Kissamos

Strati in Paleochora-Chania, west Crete traditional villages

Likotinarea village in Apokoronas, Chania, West Crete

Koufi Village by Rethimno

Kaliviani village by Kissamos

Nippos village in Apokoronas, Chania, West Crete

Flaki or Filaki Village Apokoronas

Agios Nikitas Monastery, Fragokastelo

Aistratigos Monastery by Karkadiotissa

Kremasta Monastery in Neapolis

Churches in Makrigialos area, Sitia

Apezanon Monastery, Messara Heraklion Crete

Pazino Monastery, West Crete Akrotiri, Chania

Monastery of Virgin Mary Antifonitria in Miriokefala

Agia Kiriaki Monastery, Varipetro, Chania

Agios Nikitas Monastery, Central South Crete

Chalepa Monastery, Milopotamos

Vidiani Monastery in Lasithi Plateau

Agios Georgios in Voila - Chandras, Sitia

Agios Georgios Vrachasiotis Monastery in Agios Nikolaos East Crete

Metamorfosis Monastery in Nispitas, Neapolis

Chalepa Monastery, Rethimno Crete