Akrotiri (Greek: Ακρωτήρι, literally "promontory") is a peninsula and Chania prefecture, east of Chania. Its ancient name was Kiamon while the Byzantines called it Charaka. The governmental entity of Akrotiri forms a municipality of Chania Prefecture, with its headquarters at Pythari.

Akrotiri is a rocky promontory on the northern side of the island of Crete, in the Sea of Crete. It is roughly circular in shape, connected to the rest of the island by a wide causeway between Chania and the town of Souda. To the south, Souda Bay is found between the peninsula and the island. Most of the peninsula is a plateau somewhat elevated from the sea. There is a string of hills along the northern coast. A variety of flora occur on the rocky promontory of Akrotiri including the herb Taraxacum minimum.

History

The earliest history of the local area is related to the founding of the nearby ancient city of Kydonia, one of the most powerful cities of ancient Crete.

The tombs of Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophoklis are found On Akrotiri, at a site overlooking Chania. At this site, the Greek flag was raised in defiance of the Turks and the Great Powers, with the peninsula acting as a headquarters of the Cretan Revolution.

Three monasteries are found in the hills to the north. Agia Triada dates from the 17th Century and was founded by two Venetian monks who had joined the Orthodox church, Jeremiah and Laurentio Giancarolo. These brothers renovated an older monastery endowed by the Mourtari family. The imposing buildings are visible across the plateau and from planes arriving at the airport and are set in olive and orange groves. A little way into the hills, accessible by car through a small gorge, is the Gouvernetos Monastery, 5 km north of Aghia Triada. Here the buildings appear fortress-like, with a large square building around a central courtyard, in which stands the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.


From Gouvernetos, the path is only accessible by foot and leads to the cave of the Arkoudiotissa ("she-bear"), where a stalagmite is said to look like a bear. This cave is believed to have been used for worship since ancient times (as there is evidence for cults of Artemis and Apollo), but was dedicated to the Arkoudiotissa Panaghia (Our Lady) during the Christian era. Ascetics lived in the caves in the area. Further along the path, after a descent of 140 steps, is the Katholikon (monastic church), the third monastery, now abandoned. It is believed to date from the 5th or 6th Century, founded by St John the Hermit. It is built into the cliff, with a unique church largely carved into the rock-face. This striking set of buildings is now overgrown with fig trees but retains significant charm.
Satellite view of the Akrotiri peninsula. Chania Airport shown in centre

Chania's airport, Chania/Ioannis Daskalogiannis International Airport (IATA: CHQ, ICAO:LGSA), named after folk-hero Daskalogiannis, is on the central plateau and is easily reached from Chania by car, taxi or public transport. There are several resorts around Akrotiri, including Stavros, Kalathas and Marathi.

Marathi Beach in Chania, west Crete Stavros Agia Triada monastery Katholiko monastery Arkoudiotisa cave

• Map
• Gorges-Hiking
• Accommodation
• Beaches
• Other

Tripiti gorge or Trypiti in South Crete Hania

Crossing the White Mountains

Paleochora - Anidri in Chania, West Crete

Katholiko gorge in Akrotiri, west Crete

Lissos Gorge in West Crete

Hiking: Omalos - Gingilos by Lefka Ori, West Crete

Diktamos gorge in Chania west Crete

Walking through Samaria Gorge

Mili or Myli gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Kato Poros gorge in Rethimno west Crete

The gorge Klados in Sfakia, Chania, South Crete

Arkadi gorge in Rethimno west Crete

Aradena gorge in Sfakia west Crete

Theriso Gorge in Chania, West Crete

Sougia - Agia Roumeli in Chania, West Crete

Manolis Rooms in Paleochora, West Crete

Delta studios and apartments in Chania West Crete

Ilios apartments in Maleme Chania

Silde apartments in Chania, West Crete

Keramoti Beach and natural beauties in Chania, west Crete

Halikia Beach and Paleochora area in Chania, west Crete

Pachia ammos Beach and Paleochora area in Chania, west Crete

Marathi Beach in Chania, west Crete

Vatalos Beach in Fragokastelo

Sfinari Beach by Kisamos area in Chania, west Crete

Nopigia Beach by Kisamos area in Chania, west Crete

Nea Chora Beach in Chania, west Crete

Tavronitis Beach in Chania, west Crete

Stavros Beach in Chania, west Crete

Tersanas Beach in Chania, west Crete

Anidri Beach and Paleochora area in Chania, west Crete

Rapaniana Beach in Chania, west Crete

Sougia Beach in soutwest Crete

Drapanias Beach by Kisamos area in Chania, west Crete

Tavri and Niatos plateau in Askifou

Sitanos Plateau by Sitia

Lasithi Plateau, East Crete

Manika plateau in Fragokastelo

Ziros - Chandras plateau by Sitia, East Crete

Anopolis plateau in Sfakia mountains

Nissimos plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Omalos plateau in the White mountains

Kallikratis plateau in Chania, West Crete

Vothonas plateau in Chania

Nida plateau in the Idi mountains

Askifou plateau in the White mountains

Krapi plateau in the White mountains

Katharo plateau in the Lassithi mountains

Lapathos plateau in the Lassithi mountains