Ravdoucha Village

description

Ravdoucha Village is one of the most beautiful and traditional places in Rodopos Peninsula, in Chania, West Crete.

Τhe small village, just 133 inhabitants, is located on a hill with a memorable view, overlooking the gulf of Kissamos-Kastelli and also is very close to the beach.

Ravdoucha is a village of mostly older stone houses, but also with some newly constructed ones. There is a nice little church on the village's square that was built in 1897 and you could visit it.

There are no shops in the village just a few kafenions, enjoying a Greek coffee, some raki, and local wine or even a beer.

Ravdoucha took its name from the Greek name Ravdi, which means that the weather Ravdizei (affects a lot) all the area.

The landscape of the area is glorious, with steep mountains, wild rocks, and terraced olive groves. 

You could combine your visit to Ravdoucha with a visit to the nearby Kolimbari Village, where you can also take a look at the 17th-century Monastery of Gonies.

In addition, on foot, you could access the nearby village of Rodopos with its Roman column and a Byzantine church.

When you drive the zig-zag road down from the village you have two options. Right takes you to two excellent tavernas and a small harbor not really suitable for swimming.  The less inviting (rough) track takes you to a small cove with another great taverna, a bit of camping space, and good swimming.  Watch the rock-pools though, they are very, very slippery!

This small cove is super, as safe as any pond can be, and gives access to the sea if you prefer to be a  he-man or her-woman 'gung ho!' type.  The very shallow rock pools on the right here are very, very slippery on bare feet - if you want to paddle there keep your beach.

The Village is quite fond of Cretans and especially to discerning foodies as here you will find two delicious tavernas hidden in the olive groves and below the amazing, wild rocks and just steps away from Ravdoucha Beach.

Ravdoucha is located near the towns of Kissamos and Kolymbari with banks, supermarkets, pharmacies, health center, restaurants, beaches, and harbor.

How to get there

- By Air:  From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Chania and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion. Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.

- By Sea: The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania-Souda port or Chania-Souda Port. Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.

- By Car: If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.

- By Taxi: Book your taxi transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our website.

Where to stay

There are a few small hotels and some villas with a private pool at Ravdoucha.

Our nearest options to stay is the Youphoria Sea View Villas and Youphoria Beachfront Villas

What to see & do 

- The village Ravdoucha is situated on a mountain ridge on the west coast of the peninsula Rodopou, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the more western peninsula of Gramvousa (not to be confused with the island Gramvousa, which is right behind it). From the village there is a ca.1,5 km zig-zag road down the mountain slope to Ravdoucha beach, the road eventually forks down at the coast. Right leads to a couple of taverns and the harbor (and to a small beach right on the harbor), the left it goes to a cove with rock slabs forming partial small pools of water, and close to this starts a long pebble beach. Watch the rock-pools though, they are very, very slippery! The Ravdoucha beach is surrounded by numerous Tamarisk trees. Water shoes would be a good choice here. The northmost sandy quiet beach of the area is called Neratzia after a small tavern with the same name

- On the way to the beach, you'll meet the cavernous small chapel of St. Onoufrios. Just open the door and wow! 

- Visit the Byzantine church of Agia Marina (the church indicated on your way to the beach). Here you will find well-preserved frescoes of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and some other saints. Of the image of the face of Jesus sadly just half has survived, but Mary and some other saints have stood the test of time better and you could recognize them. The church is very small but definitely worth a look.

- In addition, the area is suitable for hiking and it is very safe.

Where to eat & drink

The Village although is not well known for tourists is quite fond of Cretans and especially to discerning foodies as here you will find two delicious tavernas hidden in the olive groves and below the amazing, wild rocks and just steps away from Ravdoucha Beach.

At the other side of the gulf, there is a great cozy remote taverna too, named Waves on the Rock Taverna. Simple, Greek, traditional, tasty food in this family taverna. The service is outstanding, so nice and friendly. Lovely lazy atmosphere, a real diamond away from the touristic areas. 

Location

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The reviews for the Ravdoucha Village

Reviews ( 1 )

  • Merida

    Ravdoucha ist ein Geheimtipp

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