Practical information for visitors to Sfakia, Crete

What practical things you need to know to plan your trip to Sfakia and Crete


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All information about the region of Sfakia, and Crete in general, accommodations in Sfakia, etc. you can find through this website's top menu, or the Site map. Site map
You can also Search this entire web site. Search
A visa to enter Greece (and Crete) is not required for citizens of the United States, Canada, and the European Union. Citizens of all other countries should contact their nearest Greek consulate or embassy.  
All prices for accommodations, taxi transfers and car rentals Prices
All info about flights, ferries, local bus transport and timetables Transport
All info about taxi transfers from the airports, harbours etc. to your accommodation in Sfakia and back Taxi
All info about hire cars Hire cars
It is not possible to rent a motor bike or scooter or bicycle in Sfakia. Most nearby is Plakias.  
How to reach Sfakia in southwest Crete, and our accommodations in Sfakia by road How to reach us
Map of the village of Chora Sfakion Village map
Weather and climate information for Sfakia, Crete and Greece Weather
Currency in Crete and Greece is the Euro.  
Electricity in Crete and Greece is 230 V AC.  
The time is EET: Eastern European Time zone: this is GMT/ UTC +2 hours. Crete and Greece follow the Summer and Winter Time protocol, like the rest of Europe.  
Money in Sfakia:
  • • There is a money cash machine/ cash dispenser/ ATM in Chora Sfakion, on the village square. The ATM accepts VISA, MasterCard, Maestro and American Express cards, and you will need your card's PIN CODE. It also accepts regular bank cards from your country, as long as they are Maestro-enabled. Bring your PIN CODE!
  • • Credit cards are not (widely) accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants.
  • • In Chora Sfakion it is also possible to cash Euros with your VISA card in 2 tourist shops. (commission can be up to 7%)
  • • There are no banks in Sfakia.
  • • There is also a bank with a general ATM/ cash machine is in the village of Vrisses, one hour driving north of Sfakia, or in Plakias one hour to the east.
  • • In Chora Sfakion is a post office, opened on week days until 14.00 PM.
  
Medical care in Sfakia:
  • • In Chora Sfakion and Agia Roumeli is a first aid, and in Chora Sfakion also a medical center with a doctor and nurse.
  • • Multipurpose Regional Medical Clinic of Sfakia: Tel: 28250-91214.
    To make an appointment to see the doctor: +30 28250 91128.
  • • A pharmacy can be found at the village square of Chora Sfakion.
  • • There is a dentist in Vrises and Kalives and a dental clinic operates in Sfakia every Tuesday and Friday from 10 am until 8pm with tel. +30 6944347603.
  • • There is a 24 hours health center in the village of Vamos.
  • • Hospitals are in Chania, both private and from the State. The manager of your accommodation is always willing to help you in case of health problems. They can phone for you or take care you'll get the help you need.
  • • Sfakia has an emergency boat, in cases of medical problems occuring in the coastal villages that are not connected by road.
  • • In case of serious problems an ambulance can come over from Chania, but the Regional Medical Clinic in Chora Sfakion now also has an ambulance.
  • • There is also a rescue helicopter available.
  
Internet in Sfakia: Chora Sfakion has Wifi (wireless internet access) internet connection all around the village. Ask your hotel manager or restaurant host when you are there, to give you the access code. Some hotels also offer internet access through a public PC in their building, and a ethernet connection in their rooms.  
International telephone and fax is available for your use in all accommodations at low costs per counter click. There are also public phone booths, that work with telephone cards you can buy locally. Your own mobile phone will work while in Sfakia. You can make a choice for the networks of several providers. Please note that while in the mountains (walking or driving) your connection may get lost for a moment when a mountain or ridge gets between you and the 2 antennas in Anopoli (650m). In gorges and in the mountains there may be no connection at all.  
In Sfakia is a police station. Tourist Police operates an emergency telephone line on a 24 hour basis (just dial 171 any day, any time, from all over Greece).  
The other emergency numbers that you can use in Greece:
• Fire Service 199 (including search and rescue in the mountains)
• Police Emergency 100
• Medical and Ambulance Emergency 166
• Emergency Hospitals, Pharmacies, Doctors 14944
• Emergency Intervention of the Port Authority 108
• Paneuropean Emergency Service 112		  
Food in Sfakia: All villages have restaurants and tavernas, most of them are open from 07.00 AM until midnight. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In both Chora Sfakion and Frangokastello are two supermarkets, opened until about 22.00 PM. Chora Sfakion has also several bakeries and a butcher. Groceries, vegetables and fruits can be found in the supermarkets. Almost all accommodations can serve breakfast. 
Drinking water: it's no problem to drink the water from a tap in Sfakia. It comes from natural springs in the mountains and is of good quality and taste. To be absolutely sure there is plenty of bottled mineral or table water available at low cost. Be sure to take enough bottled water with you when you go mountain hiking! 
Mountain hiking: please be sure to bring walking boots with you with ankle protection. Always inform your accommodation owner of where you are going for your walking trips!  
Maps of Crete: very detailed maps of Crete are not available, since Crete is a border region of Greece and the government forbids the making and possession of them. There are several good road maps and some good hiking maps, available at anavasi.gr , or in the local tourist shops in Chora Sfakion. Maps of Crete
Nightlife in Sfakia: if you are looking for discos and night clubs, this is not the right place. There aren't any. Life in the evenings is centered around your dinner in a restaurant or taverna or on a small terrace, having a drink and meeting other guests. Usually you have good contacts with the local people and the athmosphere is very friendly. All places close around midnight, except some places around the village square.  
Tips for activities you can do in Sfakia What to do
In Chora Sfakion is no longer a public laundry. You have to go to Vrisses or Chania.  
You can make an online reservation for your Sfakian accommodation Reservation
In case you have any further questions you can send us an email Email
Hospitality Sfakia

Hospitality in Sfakia

The Sfakians are famous for their hospitality. The locals welcome their guests like friends. Many visitors come back to Crete to visit Sfakia year after year. Enjoy their generosity!

Impressive nature

Impressive nature

Rough white topped mountains up to 2453 metres high, split by 25+ gorges, fertile plains, forests, and the blue sea, and inbetween them small whitewashed villages with many coves and unspoilt beaches.

History and tradition

History and tradition

Brave people that have stood up against their many invaders, preserving their tradition of independence, celebrating their victories with music, poetry and dance, together with friends!