Agia Galini

Agia Galini is a beautiful small fishing village in southern Crete.

Agia Galini. According to tradition, Daedalus and Icarus flew from this beautiful fishing village of Crete in their attempt to escape Minos. On the rock of the harbor there is a monument dedicated to these pioneer aviators.

The place has about 800 inhabitants and can accommodate 2,500 guests. In Agia Galini you can find many restaurants offering delicious Cretan dishes, traditional tsikoudia and appetizers, cafés and bars for an exciting nightlife, as well as souvenir shops, jeweler’s shops etc.

There is also a large bay-like beach that is protected from the wind. Small boats set sail from the port of Agia Galini to nearby beaches (Monastery of Preveli - Agios Pavlos - Agios Georgios).

Today, the village of Agia Galini is located on the ancient Minoan town (SOULIA). On the spot, there was a temple dedicated to the goddess ARTEMIS. Remains of the city and the temple, such as buildings, tombs, marbles and two granite columns that adorn the village church up to this day, have been found on the foundations of the new-built houses of Agia Galini.

Historical Background

According to tradition, Daedalus and Icarus flew from this beautiful fishing village of Crete in their attempt to escape Minos. On the rock of the harbor there is a monument dedicated to these pioneer aviators.

Legend has it that the village was named after a Byzantine princess who was travelling to the Holy Land when her ship was caught in a tempest. She made a promise to build a church to Virgin Mary if she helped them survive.

The ship finally found refuge in the village port where waves are never churned and the princess fulfilled her promise by building a church that she named PANAGIA GALINI, which was later corrupted to AGIA GALINI, this church is the cemetery of the village. The village began to be built in its present form in 1884 by families who came from Melabes and some other villages of the region, and it developed great economic and commercial activity through its harbor, as well as tourist development over the last 30 years.

Agia Galini has 800 inhabitants who are engaged in tourism, fishing, agriculture and commerce.

You can visit Rethymnon, Chania, Heraklion and other areas of the island on a local bus.

Activities

With Agia Galini as a launch pad for your holidays on the island, you can visit all the southern coasts of Crete, which have managed to keep their natural beauty intact. You can visit the archaeological sites of Phaestos and Gortys, as well as other interesting sites located just a few kilometers away from Agia Galini.

The southern mountain range of IDI or PSILORITIS, with its picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes, is ideal for day trips or even hiking.

You can indulge yourselves in water sports, boat trips to nearby beaches, bus tours throughout Crete, such as KNOSSOS, SAMARIA GORGE and so much more.

Sights of the area

Setting out from Agia Galini, in the center of southern Crete, you can visit all the southern coasts of Crete, which have managed to keep their natural beauty intact.

The archaeological sites of Phaestos, Gortys, Agia Triada are expecting you to discover them.