Getting there

Vritomartis Hotel is situated on the South coast of Crete, one km before arriving at the village of Hora Sfakion (also known as Sfakia).
Hora Sfakion is situated by the Libyan sea, 75 km from Hania, 155 km from Heraklion and 80 km from Rethimnon.

Map of West Crete (200 Kb)

Getting there by car

To reach Vritomartis Hotel you drive on the National Road along the North coast and turn off at the village of Vrisses. From there on it is a 40 km drive towrds the South on a good but very curvy road to Sfakia.
Once you finish driving the spectacular road leading down from the mountain to the coast and the road becomes straighter, drive another km and you will see Vritomartis Hotel on your left (there is a sign). If you miss the entrance (easy to do because the hotel itself is set quite far back from the road) you will come to a BP petrol station. This means that you have gone too far and need to turn back a few hundred meters.

Alternatively , if you come from the South-East you can drive along a coastal road, past the villages of Frangokastello, Agios Nektarios and Komitades. When you reach the road coming down from the North, follow the same instructions as above.

If you want to rent a car locally (airport delivery available) please ask us when you book.

Getting there by bus

There is a direct bus from Hania which leaves at 8.15am, 11.00am and 14.00pm. It returns from Hora Sfakion at 7.00am, 11.00am, 17.30pm and 19.00pm.
If you are coming) from Rethimnon or Heraklion you will need to get off at Vrisses and catch the bus coming from Hania. The trip from Hania to Sfakia takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The bus will let you off at the turn to the hotel (ask the bus conductor)

Please note that this timetable is subject to changes. You can call the KTEL bus station in Hania on (0821) 93306

Getting there by taxi

A taxi from Hania airport to Hora Sfakion costs Euro 57. From Heraklion airport it costs Euro 87. Taxis from the hotel can be ordered through reception.
The hotel can organize transfers to and from the airports.

Boats on the South coast

There is a boat once a day from Paleohora (9.30am) and Sougia (10.00am) to Hora Sfakion
There are numerous boats from Hora Sfakion to Loutro and Agia Roumeli (and vice-versa )in the summer (10.30am, 12.30pm, 14.30pm, 16.45pm and 19.00pm), less often in spring and autumn. The trip to Loutro takes about 20 minutes, the trip to Agia Roumeli (via Loutro) takes about an hour.

Airports in Crete

There are two airports in Crete at Hania and Heraklion. Both airports are situated a short taxi ride away from the cities (14 km from Hania and 4 km from Heraklion) Heraklion has more arrivals than Hania (charters as well as domestic flights from Athens) but is situated further away from Sfakia (155 km as opposed to 75 km for Hania). If you want to come specifically to Vritomartis you are better off flying to Hania.

Getting around in the region

As mentioned elsewhere, the region of Sfakia is wild and mountainous and the road network is not very developed. There is one main road linking Sfakia to the North coast. It is a very scenic route, passing through the mountains. The road is in excellent condition but has a lot of curves.
Another road follows the coast towards the East, eventually getting to Plakias on the coast or linking with the road to Rethimnon. This is a pretty narrow road and not recommended if you wantto get from A to B quickly.

The only other road leads up to the plateau of Anopolis (12 km) and the traditional heart of the Sfakia region. It is a good road rising in hairpins above the sea. From the village of Anopolis, you can carry on to Aradena and Agios Ioannis, which is where the road ends. There are also a number of dirt tracks (used by shepherds) leading into the mountains.

If you want to move along the West coast you need to use the boat connections (several times a day from April to October) or walk on the many ancient paths.

Local buses

There are a few local buses, to Anopolis and Rodakino

Taxis

There are only a few taxis in Hora Sfakion so if you are planning to use one (whether for a local trip or to the North coast) it is advisable to book it in advance (through the reception).

On foot

The region is a walker's paradise, especially in the spring and autumn (July and August is generally too hot unless you go high up into the mountains). More information about walking in our activities page.

By boat

The regular boats to Loutro and Agia Roumeli provide an easy way to visit other areas of the South coast. The trip is short (20 minutes to Loutro, an hour to Agia Roumeli) and the views of the coast and the high mountains are superb.
You can also go all the way to Sougia and Paleohora but the boat runs only once a day (in the afternoon) so that you would not be able to return on the same day.

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Vritomartis Hotel is situated on the South coast of Crete, one km before arriving at the village of Hora Sfakion (also known as Sfakia). Hora Sfakion is situated by the Libyan sea, 75 km from Hania, 155 km from Heraklion and 80 km from Rethimnon.	Map of West Crete (200 Kb)
Getting there by car To reach Vritomartis Hotel you drive on the National Road along the North coast and turn off at the village of Vrisses. From there on it is a 40 km drive towrds the South on a good but very curvy road to Sfakia. Once you finish driving the spectacular road leading down from the mountain to the coast and the road becomes straighter, drive another km and you will see Vritomartis Hotel on your left (there is a sign). If you miss the entrance (easy to do because the hotel itself is set quite far back from the road) you will come to a BP petrol station. This means that you have gone too far and need to turn back a few hundred meters. Alternatively , if you come from the South-East you can drive along a coastal road, past the villages of Frangokastello, Agios Nektarios and Komitades. When you reach the road coming down from the North, follow the same instructions as above. If you want to rent a car locally (airport delivery available) please ask us when you book.
Getting there by bus There is a direct bus from Hania which leaves at 8.15am, 11.00am and 14.00pm. It returns from Hora Sfakion at 7.00am, 11.00am, 17.30pm and 19.00pm. If you are coming) from Rethimnon or Heraklion you will need to get off at Vrisses and catch the bus coming from Hania. The trip from Hania to Sfakia takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. The bus will let you off at the turn to the hotel (ask the bus conductor) Please note that this timetable is subject to changes. You can call the KTEL bus station in Hania on (0821) 93306
Getting there by taxi A taxi from Hania airport to Hora Sfakion costs Euro 57. From Heraklion airport it costs Euro 87. Taxis from the hotel can be ordered through reception. The hotel can organize transfers to and from the airports.
Boats on the South coast There is a boat once a day from Paleohora (9.30am) and Sougia (10.00am) to Hora Sfakion There are numerous boats from Hora Sfakion to Loutro and Agia Roumeli (and vice-versa )in the summer (10.30am, 12.30pm, 14.30pm, 16.45pm and 19.00pm), less often in spring and autumn. The trip to Loutro takes about 20 minutes, the trip to Agia Roumeli (via Loutro) takes about an hour.
Airports in Crete There are two airports in Crete at Hania and Heraklion. Both airports are situated a short taxi ride away from the cities (14 km from Hania and 4 km from Heraklion) Heraklion has more arrivals than Hania (charters as well as domestic flights from Athens) but is situated further away from Sfakia (155 km as opposed to 75 km for Hania). If you want to come specifically to Vritomartis you are better off flying to Hania.
Getting around in the region
As mentioned elsewhere, the region of Sfakia is wild and mountainous and the road network is not very developed. There is one main road linking Sfakia to the North coast. It is a very scenic route, passing through the mountains. The road is in excellent condition but has a lot of curves. Another road follows the coast towards the East, eventually getting to Plakias on the coast or linking with the road to Rethimnon. This is a pretty narrow road and not recommended if you wantto get from A to B quickly. The only other road leads up to the plateau of Anopolis (12 km) and the traditional heart of the Sfakia region. It is a good road rising in hairpins above the sea. From the village of Anopolis, you can carry on to Aradena and Agios Ioannis, which is where the road ends. There are also a number of dirt tracks (used by shepherds) leading into the mountains. If you want to move along the West coast you need to use the boat connections (several times a day from April to October) or walk on the many ancient paths.
Local buses There are a few local buses, to Anopolis and Rodakino
Taxis There are only a few taxis in Hora Sfakion so if you are planning to use one (whether for a local trip or to the North coast) it is advisable to book it in advance (through the reception).
On foot The region is a walker's paradise, especially in the spring and autumn (July and August is generally too hot unless you go high up into the mountains). More information about walking in our activities page.
By boat The regular boats to Loutro and Agia Roumeli provide an easy way to visit other areas of the South coast. The trip is short (20 minutes to Loutro, an hour to Agia Roumeli) and the views of the coast and the high mountains are superb. You can also go all the way to Sougia and Paleohora but the boat runs only once a day (in the afternoon) so that you would not be able to return on the same day.
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