English
41 kilometers far from Chania, at the West, Kissamos (Kastelli) is a town with 3821 permanent residents, center of the commercial and agricultural activity of the western part area of the prefecture.
Situated in a very fertile plain with vineyards and olive trees, it still keeps its ancient name, as officially it is called Kissamos. However, it is mostly known as Kastelli (“castle”), due to the fortress constructed by the Venetians and still standing there.
There are a lot of things to visit when in Kastelli; the town was active during the Greco-Roman period and relics from this period are still present. The Roman-Roman baths and cemetery, and especially the mosaic pavements are worth seeing.
Near the port you will also see the small church of Aghios Ioannis, located at a cave-like opening within a cliff.
If you drive around, at the area of Kissamos (Kastelli) you may visit traditional villages as Roka, which is built at the foot of an impressive cliff, Byzantine churches and the Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi, Venetian relics as the Rotonda, a Venetian villa near the village of Kalathenes, 12 kilometers at the south of Kastelli.
The enthusiasts of hiking will find the Sirikari gorge, 19 kilometers at the south; the entrance is just off the village Sirikari, and its exit is at Polyrheneia, after a two hours walk.
It is worth making a sailing tour of the Rodopos peninsula, at the east of Kastelli; apart from the exciting landscape, you will see some churches, the constructions of old mines and you will find marvelous beaches.
More exciting is the sailing tour of the western peninsula, the Gramvousa peninsula. You will see the cave of Tersanas, the Balos lagoon and the islets Agria (Wild) Gramvousa, Imeri (Mild) Gramvousa and Pontikonisi.
Some events and happenings take place during the Carnival in February and March.
A series of cultural activities (plays, concerts etc) are organised in summer at the open theatre at Honi, 6 kilometers east of Kastelli.
The Wine Festival takes place in early August; the anniversary of the conquest of the Gramvousa Castle by the Greeks during the Greek Independence War in 1825 is celebrated in August with a series of cultural activities.
Athletic games known as “Theocharakia” also take place in summer.
A local feast (“panighyri”) takes place on the feast of Aghia Triada (Holy Trinity) at the village Kaloudiana, 4 kilometers far from Kastelli at the Southeast, in May or June.
Being the center of the area, and the capital of the Kissamos province, Kastelli offers a wide range of lodging to the visitor; you will also find a lot of cafes, taverns and restaurants, whereas bars and discos will offer you an interesting nightlife.
Access from Chania is possible by public bus, running regularly all year round and by private and rented car and motorbikes.
There is also access from and to Piraeus, as well as to the islands Kythira and Antikythira, and the Peloponnese (Gytheio and Kalamata).