The county of Sfakia is one of the most mountainous in Crete and one the most heroic, beautiful and interesting. Sfakia are centered around the White Mountains mountain range, "Madares", as they are called in Crete with 110 peaks and the most and biggest gorges. Sfakia remain the most wild and unspoiled landscape in all Crete. Hora Sfakion, the seaside capital of the county, is a coastal village located on the Southwestern coast of Crete, 70 km from the city of Chania and 150 km from Iraklion.
In its picturesque, enclosed harbor, the small boats from Agia Roumeli dock in the summer, bringing the hikers from the Samaria Gorge. Visitors can enjoy the quiet and calm of the village , on the seaside cafes and taverns. The 500 inhabitants are occupied mostly with fishing and sheep and goat raising, producing excellent cheese such as Anthotyros, mizithra, etc. Regular public transportation from Chania is available for visiting Hora Sfakion. The bus from Chania to Hora Sfakion departs every day at 8.30 am, 11.00 am and 2.00 pm.
The road from Chania to Sfakia crosses the island from North to South, through the village of Vrises. At the 33rd km of the road Chania-Rethymnon we leave the main hi way and follow a paved side road to Vrises. From this village starts an impressive trip to the east side of the White Mountains crossing the mountainous area of Sfakia and ending to Hora Sfakion by the Lybian sea. Half way from Vrises to Hora Sfakion is the fertile plateau of Askifou, surrounded by high mountain peaks. From Askifou plateau to Hora Sfakion is the most impressive part of the route. The road hugs the western slope of the wonderful gorge of Imbros and the view to the gorge and to the Libyan sea is breathtaking. The old houses, that the visitor can see here, are typical examples of the Cretan architecture.
