Festungen & Burgen Geheimtipp

Drapano Lighthouse

Apokoronas, Chania · Free

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

About

A 19th century lighthouse on a cliff.

The Drapano lighthouse stands on the edge of a cliff on Cape Drapano, east of Souda bay. It was built in the 19th century and is well preserved.

The lighthouse is open to the public only on World Lighthouse Day, but the cliff and the view over the Aegean are worth the walk at any time. The Elephant cave, an underwater cave with fossils, lies in the cliffs below.

Cape Drapano marks the eastern entrance to Souda bay, and its cliffs drop straight into the sea. The area is wild and quiet, with walking paths through low scrub and wonderful views over the Aegean. The lighthouse is a short walk from the village of Kokkino Chorio, where some scenes of the film Zorba the Greek were shot.

Around Apokoronas

Nearest town: Georgioupoli, about 16 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 14 km by road

The west of Crete is the island at its most dramatic. Chania has the most beautiful Venetian old town on Crete, wrapped around a harbour with a lighthouse and a domed mosque. In the evening the narrow lanes of Splantzia and the old Jewish quarter fill up with tavernas and small bars. More about Chania