Kastelli (Kissamos)

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. 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. 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).