Tavronitis is a charming coastal village community, west of Maleme on the way to Kolimbari; tourism here is pretty low key but you will still find plenty of seaside amenities including mini-markets, a butcher's, a bakery, taverns, restaurant, pharmacy, gym, patisserie etc. A few tavernas line the quiet beach that stretches towards Kolimbari in the west and Maleme to the east.
It is a quiet place that is at the same time a small travel destination and a year-round working Cretan village. Many visitors fall in love with the place. It is built at the mouth of the homonymous Tavronitis River, which gets dry in summer. It is perfectly located between the wonderful beach and the White Mountains ("Lefka Ori") of Crete. From the village there is breathtaking view to the scenery and the wilderness of Rodopou Peninsula.
A short stroll through the heart of the village where many of the local live brings you to the uncrowded shingle and pebble beach and the serene natural environment ideal for relaxation. It draws many local families for these reasons. Here you can walk along the tree lined sea front, stopping at one of the small "kantenas" for a drink or snack or enjoy a meal at one of the traditional tavernas.
Visit the famous Tavronitis Bridge, the scene of a key fight in the Battle of Crete and the nearby war memorial and German War Cemetery in the next village of Maleme. Here, on the now disused airfield where the German invasion of Crete took place in 1941, you will find a small number of old aircraft and the scene of an annual commemorative event.
In recent years Tavronitis and the surrounding area has become a popular location with ex pats of all nationalities. It is an ideal base to explore the southern and western parts of Crete including the beaches at Paleochora, Elafonisi and Falassarna, as well as monasteries, gorges and the island of Gramvoussa with the remains of an old fort.
You can take the road south enjoying a spectacular drive over the mountains to Paleohora on the south coast.
Paleochora is the most well known destination in the south of Chania prefecture. The road is scenic and passes through many traditional villages of inland Crete, mostly untouched by time.
The access to the National Road is just outside the village, the Venetian town of Chania to the West and the historic town of Kissamos-Kastelli to the east can be reached in around 20 minutes. The drive to the Chania International Airport takes around 45 minutes.
