Coastal Route of Asterousia

Join us on this seaside tour which starts out at our pick up point in Matala at 9am. We drive through the traditional villages of Pitsidia and Sivas and then onto Listaros where we get our first taste of the South Crete countryside, driving through one of the largest amphitheatrical olive groves in the Messara Valley. Here we have the chance to see the Cretan landscape from roads only used by the local shepherds.

We continue to pass by the well-known monastery of Apezanes, then continue our safari through the wild mountains of Asterousia until we come to the Tripiti Canyon. Our journey through the Asterousia Mountains will take us through two of the protected zones of Natura 2000 which offer a haven to Europe's most valuable and threatened species and habitats.

Have your cameras ready for the breathtaking views as we descend the canyon to where the rugged Cretan mountainside meets the clear, blue waters of the Lybian Sea at Tripiti beach. After passing through the amazing Narrow Gorge, with enough room for only one car to go through, we'll also have the chance to visit the church of the Virgin Mary of Tripiti which is built in a cave on the side of the mountain.

After a stop at Tripiti Beach where we will have our first refreshing dip in the Lybian sea, we continue our journey along the rugged South coast of infinite clear, blue sea to the traditional seaside village of Lentas where we will have a two hour stop for a delicious seafood lunch at one of the traditional tavernas of Lentas. There will also be time for a second swim in the beautiful, calm sea, a look around the quaint shops of Lentas or a quiet coffee in one of the cafes near the sea.

We then continue our journey to the West, along the coast to Platia Peramata where we will cut through the mountains again to get to the protected Gorge of Agiofaraggo (The gorge of Saints). On the way, we'll get to see lots of goats, some showing off their acrobatic mountain climbing skills. To get to the unique Agiofaraggo Beach, we will walk through the gorge, which takes about 20 minutes, past the church of Agios Antonios, built in the canyon, and then we'll be able to relax and enjoy our third swim in the sea before heading back to the Mitsubishi pajeros.

Our next stop is the picturesque monastery of Odigitria, a male monastery of the 14th century. Here we will be able to look around the amazing historical property and see four icons of the well known Cretan artist, Angelo, which date back to the 15th century and have survived until today.

After a short drive on an asphalted road, we'll get to the Western beach of Komos, just in time to see the brilliant sunset before returning to our pick-up point in Matala at 8pm.