Therisos Gorge: Complete Guide by a Local (A Fantastic Day Trip From Chania!)

Only 28 km from Chania’s International Airport and less than 20 minutes from the center of Chania, Therisos Gorge is a surprising destination and a great day trip for those who want to learn more about Crete’s countryside traditions.

You can also admire the mountainous landscape and, of course, taste some of the region’s most delicious dishes.

Below, you’ll find some interesting historical facts about the area and discover all the things you can do in Theriso during a day trip from Chania.

A Bit of History: Why is Theriso a Historic Village in Crete?

One of the most important villages during the Cretan Revolution, Therisos, was home to some of the bravest freedom fighters on the island.

Located at the end of a narrow gorge, Therisos village was naturally protected and hard to access, making it a great refuge for the rebels.

A Turkish army of over 5000 tried to occupy the village. Still, it was defended by a much smaller number of local rebels located at the gorge’s entrance.

During the episode, many battles took place in the area, and inside the local restaurant Antartis today, it’s possible to see a small exhibition with old objects related to the battlers.

Therisos is also known as the native village of Eleftherios Venizelos’ mother. Venizelos was one of the most prominent politicians in Crete and a future prime minister of Greece.

When the Turkish rule was nearing its last years, in 1866, Moustafa Naili Pasha set fire to Therisos and conquered the village. Among the residents was Eleftherios Venizelos’ mother, who was forced to leave the island.

Later, once Crete was free from the Ottomans (yet still not part of Greece), Eleftherios Venizelos proclaimed a revolution against Prince George from this village.

During this period, Venizelos formed a temporary government in this settlement. It took a few years for Crete to become part of the Greek Nation (1913).

On the village’s main (and only square), you can see a statue of Venizelos.

It’s also possible to visit the former headquarters of Venizelos, which today houses the historical museum of Therisos and the Museum of National Resistance.

How to Get to Therisos Gorge

Getting to Therisos Gorge from Chania by car is quite easy; you need to drive from the center of town South along Kissamou Street and follow the sign that indicates the way to Theriso.

You will pass the small settlement of Perivolia and after a few minutes on the road, you will be driving through the narrow but incredibly beautiful gorge.

After driving the 9 kilometers of the gorge, you’ll come across the village and all the tavernas that Therisos is famous for.

If you don’t feel like driving, a small tourist train leaves from the seaside village of Platanias and reaches Theriso along its way.

You can find more info here or check out this particular ride through Therisos to find out about prices and departure hours.

Therisos Gorge

One of the few gorges on the island that you can either hike or drive through, Therisos Gorge is about 10-20 meters wide and features an asphalt road quite in good condition, without much elevation and just a few turns.

Although it can be quite narrow sometimes, the visibility is good, and the place is safe.

At the narrowest points, the gorge is enclosed by cliffs covered in plane trees and oleanders, while goats are also easy to spot.

High mountain walls are on both sides of the road, and the landscape is lush, with fragrant herbs, cypresses, and oranges (typical of the whole area).

Once you’ve passed the gorge, you will find the small village of Therisos, with its many traditional tavernas and typical grills.

GOOD TO KNOW: The gorge is also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Gorge.

Map: Chania to Therisos Gorge

What to See in the Village

Therisos Village is located at the end of Therisos Gorge, about 580 meters a.s.l.

Although there might be just a few places to visit, the green oasis is so close to Chania that you’ll feel you’ve traveled miles!

The village has a few stone houses, several Cretan restaurants, and a small square with a statue of the local hero, Venizelos. It also has a museum, a permanent exhibition, and a tiny church.

Church of the Panagia

Known as the Chapel of Holy Mary, this small church is in the village center and is one of many places to visit in the Chania region.

On August 15th, the village celebrates the Virgin with festivals, music, dances, and local dishes.

National Resistance Museum 1941-1945

The Museum of National Resistance is one of the first places you come across on the village’s main road and one of the two museums in Theriso.

It features old weapons, a press, and an old typewriter used by the resistance. It also features military objects from Crete’s German Occupation (1941-1945). If you enjoy maps, you can check out maps of the major battles on the island during WWII.

Historical and Folklore Museum of Therisso

Also known as the Headquarters of Therisos, this museum is located in an old building that was the headquarters of Therisos’ Armed Movement.

Together with Konstantinos Manos and Konstantinos Foumis, Venizelos proclaimed the Union of Crete with Greece (which was not recognized and would not come into effect until 1913) in this place.

This was where the rebels printed Therissos, the official newspaper of the revolutionary government of Crete. You will find all the necessary information to visit on the official website.

What to Eat in Therisos

There are over ten incredible taverns in Therisos, all serving authentic Cretan food. The dishes are deeply rooted in White Mountain traditions.

Antikristo

The most common thing you can have is Antikristo, a traditional technique of cooking meat (which can be lamb and, sometimes, goat).

Antikristo is not a dish but a unique technique that sees the meat being cooked across the fire.

How Cretans prepare Antikristo:

• The meat is cut into four pieces before putting it on this special grill (goulidia).
• Salt is added.
• Pieces are placed on big skewers.

The skewers are arranged around the fire in a circle, often taking into consideration the direction of the wind.

Other factors that influence how the meat is slowly cooked include the intensity of the fire and the distance between the meat and the fire.

This way, the meat cooks slowly (up to 5-7 hours) in its fat with the flames’s heat instead of the coals’ heat.

According to the tradition, local shepherds are experts in this cooking method. It is said that it originated on the slopes of the Psiloritis Mountain in Rethymnon. Today, it is still used all over Crete.

Sfakian Pita

Sometimes served as a snack with a glass of tsikoudia and other times as a dessert after a good meal, Sfakian pita is one of the most common dishes in the White Mountains, especially around the area of Sfakia.

The thin pie is filled with goat soft cheese, usually myzithra, and served warm and drizzled with abundant thyme honey, also characteristic of the area.

Kalitsounia

Also made using fresh myzithra, these fried pies are a great dessert that you can taste in the region.

They are also drizzled with thick local honey, which, when brushed on the hot dough, truly enhances the flavor of the cheese and the honey. Together with a glass of tsikoudia, you can eat dozens of them!

Although these are the most common dishes in the Therisos Gorge, you will also find delicious lamb in the oven, often with local rosemary and potatoes, lamb chops, wild greens with abundant olive oil, and graviera cheese with honey.

The drink of choice will certainly be homemade wine. Also, in the village, ask for a plate of ladotyri and Graviera cheese aged in extra virgin olive oil. It’s delicious!

Where to Eat in Theriso Village

You will find several in the village, all equally tasty and often full of tourists in summer and locals during the rest of the year.

Therissos is also a common day trip for Chania people who enjoy driving along the gorge with their family and friends on the weekends, either for a Saturday evening dinner or Sunday lunch.

People travel from Chania to Therisso on National Holidays, New Year’s, and election Sundays to spend a peaceful time far from the chaos of the city.

I’ve been to Therisos several times and tried most tavernas, and none disappointed me. However, my favorite ones are:

• Antartis
• Melintaou
• Meterizi
• Madares
• … any of these, or those I do not mention here, offer excellent Cretan food for quite affordable fees.

Places to Visit Near Therisos Gorge

When spending the day pout in Therisos, check out the following places!

Rikounakis Tyrokomio Theriso – Therisos’ Cheese Factory

Although not a landmark, historic attraction, or natural wonder, this cheese factory is one of the places you must see before reaching the heart of Therisos Village.

This is especially true if you’re interested in the production of Cretan cheese or would like to taste some of the most renowned cheeses made on the island.

You can also purchase authentic Greek yogurt; they also sell the honey that goes on top of the yogurt!

Kato Sarakina Cave

Also known as Elliniko Cave, this area is about 2.5 kilometers north of the settlement (before entering the village from Chania). Do not confuse it with Sarakina Gorge in the region of Lasithi, near Ierapetra.

Archaeologists found ancient pottery from the Neolithic era and Minoan Crete inside the cave, which made specialists believe this place could have been a sanctuary in ancient times.

The cave is about 12 meters long and quite slippery inside. Explore it carefully and wear the appropriate shoes.

Aqua Creta Limnoupolis

Are you traveling with kids and staying in Theriso? You should visit Chania’s most popular aquapark, Limnoupolis. This is a must-go water park. We’ve been several times in the last few years and had great fun!

Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete

Another of my favorite places to visit in Chania, the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete is not far from Therisos Gorge (about 20 km).

Crete’s Botanical Park features local flowers, fruit trees, and herbs from the island, as well as stunning exotic plants from different regions of the world. 

The garden is in the village of Fournes, on the road that takes you to the Omalos Plateau.

The area is easy to reach by car, and there’s also a comfortable parking space at the entrance. You can read everything about the Botanical Park and Gardens here.

Agia Lake

Another of my favorite places to visit on a lazy Sunday in the region, especially if you want to get away from the chaos of the center.

The small region of Agia is located on the road to Omalos. Known as the citrus village of Chania, for the endless orange and lemon trees in the area, you can also visit the Lake of Agia and enjoy a glass of freshly made orange juice by the lake.

Lakkoi and Meskla Villages

After the village of Fournes, quite close to one another, Meskla and Lakkoi are two villages you can check out while driving around Lake Agia or Theriso, both at the foot of the White Mountains.

Lakkoi, in particular, is an incredibly picturesque village on the road between Chania and Omalos (You can also visit Lakkoi by joining one of the experiences I run in the mountains from May to October).

The village stands at 450 meters asl., and features old houses clinging to steep slopes with abundant olive groves and chestnut trees.

This could be included as one of the many villages in Crete with historical importance, as it took part in a historic revolt against the Venetians in the early 1200s.

Once Crete fell under Ottoman domination, the villagers were often involved in revolts against the Turks.

The place played a key role during the Battle of Crete (May 1941), when almost 500 locals resisted the German occupiers, with many of them losing their lives in the fights.

Drakonas Village

Although not exactly near Therisos, the best way to get to Drakonas is to pass through Therisos village, so do not miss the chance… to visit both!

Drakonas is not a big or particularly important village in Crete, however, in the last years, it became famous for hosting one of the best restaurants on the island.

I was lucky enough to eat there more than once and to meet the owner, Stelios, one of the best cooks in Crete and certainly someone who respects the gastronomic traditions of the island.

If he is not very busy, he might even show you his kitchen, garden, wine cellar, and animals, including the unique Minoan cows—there are just a couple of specimens left on the island!

When eating at Ntounias, his slow-food restaurant, there is no menu; you will only find the food that is in season and comes from his garden.

The dishes are delicious, and the cooking methods are more than original. But don’t get there too late, or you won’t find much!

Tourists have been flocking to this place after many online sources featured its food. The landscape and authenticity make it a unique visit. The place deserves all the praise it gets!

Where to Stay near Therisos Gorge

Although staying close to Therisos might not be the most common choice, it is a good idea if you think about it, especially for those not interested in paying the higher fees of seaside hotels and those who enjoy mountain hikes.

Moreover, staying in Therisos, you would be at most 15 km from the center of Chania, making it relaxing enough but still close to the center for evening walks and interesting things to do in the old town.

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