Xirosterni is a small village and part of the municipality of Apokoronas, in the regional unit of Chania. The location of the village is between two larger villages, Vamos and Kefalas, and approximately 35 kilometers away from Chania, in the northeast side. The name Xirosterni means dry water tanks.
This picturesque village is approximately inhabited by 40 people who have built their homes traditionally, at an altitude of 240 meters above sea level. There are no hotels or other facilities of mass tourism. Visitors will only find rooms for rent or luxurious villas built traditionally and integrated in the beautiful natural environment.
The central church of Xirosterni is dedicated to the Transfiguration of Savior Jesus Christ and the locals celebrate it on the 5th and the 6th of August by organizing a big feast with Cretan music, dance and delicious traditional food, lasting until the morning!
From Xirosterni village, there are excellent small roads close by putting a whole myriad of villages, seaside resorts and attractions within easy reach.
If walking or cycling is your pastime you'll be in your element here. There are small roads and footpaths through olive groves and small cypress forests. Go and see the traditional villages and the surroundings of the Apokoronas area.
Enjoy sampling little shops and tavernas in Vamos, Vrisses, Gavalochori, Kalives, Almirida and Georgioupolis. The seaside resorts of Kalives, Almirida and Georgioupolis offer the best beaches for swimming in the region.
About 40 km away and easily reached by the National Road, Xirosterni sits almost midway between Chania and Rethymnon. Both towns with outstanding beauty are homes to a wide selection of historic places, but also to shops and restaurants.
Xirosterni itself has a small grocery shop and a traditional kafenion. Kafenion serves drinks and small dishes with a real Cretan accent.
DISTANCES
Gavalochori / small shops and super markets, tavernas, kafenia 2km
Litsarda / pizzería 2km
Kefalas / small super markets, tavernas, kafenia 2km
Vamos / small shops, super market, tavernas, café-bars, health centre 3km
Almirida/seaside resort / small shops, super markets, tavernas, café-bars 5km
Vrisses / small shops, super markets, tavernas, café-bars, post office 6km
Οmbros Gialos beach/rocky beach with deep-blue deep waters,not organized,ideal for snorkellers 6km
Kalives/seaside resort / shops, super markets, tavernas, café-bars, post office 7km
Κera beach /not organized, with white sand and some pebbles is situated in a wonderful landscape, with towering cliffs around. The sea is shallow and crystal clear 7km
Κοutalas beach /non organized,formed at the exit of a rocky gorge and in the hug of a narrow bay. It has large round pebbles and stones, which make swimming tougher.The area has several fantastic caves, e.g. the Elephants' Cave or Petsis Spilios.9km
Kalyvaki beach /Sandy beach,west of the port of Georgioupolis, near the exit of Almyros river 11km
Georgioupolis/seaside resort / shops, super markets, tavernas, café-bars 12km
Chania airport 35km
Heraklion airport 120km
In nearby Vamos there is the next taxi station and also a bus stop for Chania.
There are all sorts of activities to do in the area. You can hire a bike or go hiking and discover the countryside, or go horseback riding, or hire a canoe to go up the river at Georgioupoli, or at the lake of Kournas and at the beach you can hire a jetski, go wind surfing, parasailing, paragliding or waterski ...
If you're a movie fan, Zorba the Greek was shot a few villages away. If you're a diver you must dive the Elephant Cave from Almyrida.
DISTANCE TO NEAREST TAVERNA 2km
DISTANCE TO NEAREST BEACH 5km
DISTANCE TO NEAREST MINIMARKET 800m
DISTANCE TO NEAREST BANK 3km
DISTANCE TO AIRPORT 35km