Spili of Rethymnon, A Cool Oasis For Authentic Cretan Food
The Spili is a picturesque semi-mountainous settlement, built amphitheatrically at 430 m., at the foot of Mount Vorizis (930 m.). It is located on the District. Rethymno - Agia Galini road, halfway to the southern beaches of the island, like the Agia Galini Rethymno (25 km from Spili), 27 km Ν. of the city of Rethymno.
If you are looking for a cool oasis for traditional Cretan food, brown, dessert, raki, Spili is the ideal destination. At the square, post trees and cafes, is dominated by headache, the emblem of the village, with 25 fountains – heads of lions from which crystal water flows continuously, from mountain springs.
At taverns of Spilion you will taste authentic Cretan food such as salads with fresh greens from the Cretan land (the stamnagathi is famous), cooked, oily, such as hare or rabbit flavored with spices (which they mainly make here), grilled lamb, budding snails (Cretan snails in the pan extinguished with wine or vinegar and rosemary), roasts of the hour, thug (barley roll sprinkled with Cretan oil, oregano and grated tomato) etc.. Ask for local wine, like Liatiko variety (dry red wine considered one of the oldest Cretan varieties, 3th – 2th century. B.C. ) and of course Cretan raki.
In Spili you will find gift shops, such as Cretan embroidery and colorful ceramics, from the pottery workshopJug» but also an appendix of it Botanical Garden Maravel Shop, with handmade soaps, essential oils, creams, aromatherapy and massage products, herbal medicines, honey, jars of herbs and spices from his nurseries Maravel Garden. Also super markets, oven, patisserie, ATM, pharmacy and Health Center (tel. : 2832340011).
THE Maravel Garden is located 1,1 km before Spili (from Rethymnon), extend to more than 100 acres and offers the visitor peace of mind, wellness and relaxation. Aromatic and medicinal herbs are grown here, plants, spices, flowers.
In the garden you will find a cafe for coffee, tea, breakfast, fast food, shop for product purchases, event theater and the Byzantine church of Agios Kyrillos (is celebrating 9 /6). Open all year round, 8 a.m. – 8 pm. (or until sunset), for a visit, tour and guided tour of the gardens (duration 1-2 hours, entrance free), tel. : 6973189412.
CAVE- SIGHTS
Spili, which was a large capital village during the Venetian era and is divided into two neighborhoods, Panochori (or Pano Spili) and Katochori (or Kato Spili).
Folklore Museum of Spili
There are few mansions in the sights, such as the Mansion of the Tsouderas, in Hani area (monument), the Folklore Museum of Spili (openly 9 a.m. -3 pm. and 5 pm-9 pm, entrance free), the Metropolitan Church of Apostle Paul, the church of St. Charalambous – Ag. Theodorou in Katochori, with a nice template, ecclesiastical Museum and Exhibition with material from her old films Finos Film (after consultation with the priest of the church, Fr.. Gospel). From the old stone builders flour mills only two survive, the "first", N of the primary school followed by the "Second", amidst lush vegetation.
CAVE – ACCOMMODATION
There are several indicative accommodations : Rastoni Hotel Spilion (with pool), Heracles Hotel, Costas Inn, several villas and rooms for rent.
CAVE – ACCESS
Spili belongs to the Municipality of Agios Vasilios Rethymnon. If you don't have your own means of transport, you can go to Spili or Maravel Garden with its bus KTEL Rethymno, running the route Rethimno – Agia Galini of Rethymno, through the province. Rethymno - Agia Galini road, and stops at Spili (30’). As reported by KTEL Rethymno, you should book your ticket in time for stopovers in settlements (B.C. Spili), as well as buses, the summer months, they are full of people (to and from beaches) and you will have a hard time finding a seat. For electronic tickets at https://www.e-ktel.com.
Chania International Airport is far away 80 km.
