AGRITOURISM

AGRITOURISM

In the villages of Chania, the locals are still inextricably tied to their land and totally dependent on their production. Village life is not for the faint- hearted. Perhaps the profits are marginal but the rewards are priceless and Cretans want to share their love for their motherland with their guests.

If you are interested in a travelling experience that goes beyond the basic travel guide, Chania is the place where one can genuinely immerse into authentic Cretan life. There are so many remote rural villages that are kept intact and unspoiled by heavy touristic development; if there is any at all! In Chania, communities in the rural areas still cherish the production of quality food from their land, and at the same time they are eager to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with their guests. It is the perfect destination that combines the authenticity of the countryside with the open-hearted hospitality of the village communities, where guests and visitors are welcomed to try out agritourism activities and take part in every step of the production process. This engagement builds friendly relationships between locals and visitors only to be treated as members of their own families, at the end of the day.

The agricultural products of Chania are renowned all over Greece and abroad. From olives and olive oil, to delicious vegetables and fruits, to the exceptional local wines and the raki or tsikoudia spirit, the land of Chania is blessed; it is blessed to have the just the right climate, just the right ingredients and the just the right people to bring to life farm products of the highest quality.

Drakona - A sea of green

Visit Drakona, a small village in Keramies municipal unit, in a distance of about 25 km from Chania city. Drakona is known all over Chania for its authentic rural atmosphere. It is the perfect place to taste traditional Cretan cuisine at the local taverns, and to try and buy the excellent local honey. The land of Drakona, despite the small size and relative isolation of the village today, is one of the most fertile places in Chania that constantly produces quality agricultural and livestock products through the centuries. Around the village you can find great hiking trails leading to the Cretan White Mountains, and heading all the way to the nearby Sfakia region.

Cretan wine tasting

The wines of Chania and Crete in general are sought after all over Greece and Europe. When in Chania, seize the opportunity to visit a local winery or join an organized wine tour, to experience the essence and the uniqueness of the flavors and scents of the local wine varieties. In the island of Crete, wine is being produced and exported for thousands of years, since the ancient Minoan times. The wine-making tradition is so rich that you will be truly impressed by the local expertise and know how on the subject. Today’s producers are well educated and highly skilled and as for wineries they are equipped with state of the art distilleries. Wine tasting tours are an excellent excuse to explore the countryside and better understand the unique culture of rural life in Chania.

Tradition of Cretan cheese making

If you haven’t tried it before, you are going to love Cretan cheese! Cretan dairy products play a crucial role in the Cretan nutrition. There is a better way, however, to get to know the local cheese varieties – including the famous Cretan graviera and myzithra – and at the same time see how they are produced, and even take part in the process. The secrets of cheese making in Crete pass from generation to generation for centuries, and the local breeders have perfected their methods of producing a wide range of cheese varieties from fresh sheep and cow milk with amazing, distinct tastes. When in Chania, take a glimpse of this delicate process, and find out the secrets behind the excellent taste and aromas of the Cretan cheese.

A culinary journey in mountainous Chania

The mountain villages around Chania are renowned for their unique atmosphere. If you combine this with their authentic local cuisine that takes the traditional Cretan recipes to another level, the result is something you have to experience first-hand. From Chania city take the road through the scenic Theriso gorge to the homonymous Theriso village. The museums in Theriso clearly show that the village has left its mark on the history of the island. Today, it is a peaceful village renowned for its family taverns, where you can try amazing traditional Cretan dishes like apaki, siglino and smoked sausage, tsigariasto, ofto, staka, fricassee with stamnagathi, marathopita, Sfakian pies and kalitsounia with wild herbs. Continuing on the road beyond Theriso, you get to the municipal unit of Keramies, where you can also find great local food, especially in Drakona village.

Experience the local farm life

There are many hidden treasures to explore in the rural areas around Chania city. Among the most unique is the possibility to experience life in a local farm. This is the best way to get to know better the beating heart of the Cretan farmland, along with the local culture of the villages and the unique natural environment of Chania. This is an outstanding opportunity to stimulate all your senses again and bring yourself back in sync with Mother Nature.

AGRITOURISM

Drakona - A sea of green

Cretan wine tasting

Tradition of Cretan cheese making

A culinary journey in mountainous Chania

Experience the local farm life

VIEW ALSO

Local Tips

Activities

AGRITOURISM

Drakona - A sea of green

Cretan wine tasting

Tradition of Cretan cheese making

A culinary journey in mountainous Chania

Experience the local farm life

VIEW ALSO

Local Tips

Activities

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