Situated some 30km South of the town of Rethymno,
and approximately in the middle of the island of Crete, Spili has
everything for the visitor who wants to experience ''natural
Crete''. Mount Vorizi which hovers over the town is impressive, but
wait until you walk up the side streets of this village to be
really impressed. The cobbled streets and flowering shrubs are a
photographers dream. In the centre of the village is a Venetian
fountain with a long row of 19 stone lions heads splashing welcome
cool water into the trough below. Above this starts the climb
through the beautifully quaint village streets with their flowered
balconies, arches, and cobbles.
Spili is on the main bus route between the north and south of the
island so there are several buses a day. In the daytime activity is centred
around the many cafes and tavernas dotted along the main street, and is one of the ''must see'' parts of the area
for tourism. In the evenings you can relax, smug, knowing that you
have chosen this village to stay in, and chosen well.
This is walking and cycling country, with many different local
routes to see and enjoy. Spili being 450 metres above sea level
offers the advantage of cooler evenings, most welcome during the
height of summer. The days are hot but the evenings are pure
delight, just watching the local activity and the sun going down.
Bicycle hire is available from Heracles Pension, situation on the
right as you near the centre of the town coming from Rethymno.
Spili has a special attraction those seeking the raw natural beauty
of the rugged countryside which has inspired artists, painters and
photographers alike throughout the ages. In late January, after a
relatively short mild winter, spring bursts in to life with a
spectacular display of wild flowers. Red poppies and mustard yellow
flowers carpet the olive groves; on uncultivated ground wild
anemone, tulips and delicate orchids bloom.
Accommodation in available for those wishing to stay here which in
includes Costas Inn, Heracles
Pension or at the nightclub Rastoni (which is perched on the
hill to the north above Spili).
There are "cash point machines" which dispenses cash in Euros
using Cirrus, Maestro, Mastercard,
Visa and all the major credit cards
Estimated journey time from the airports
|
Heraklion |
110
km |
1hr
20mins |
|
Chania |
80
km |
1hr |
|
 |
