Agia Galini
In the close and leeward gulf of Messara in the Libyan Sea, there is the picturesque small harbour of Agia Galini. It is a well organized tourist resort with comfortable hotels, apartments, camping sites, tourist agencies, car-renting offices, restaurants, taverns and other recreation centres, as well as all the facilities required by tourists and locals alike. The attractive beach of 1 km in length to the east with big and small pebbles and the mild climate of the area have made Agia Galini a very popular resort.
Along the west coasts steep caves are formed, passable only by boat where the sea penetrates, creating bright iridescent glittering. Narrow tiled streets go uphill towards the village. The traditional small houses climbed on a steep slope face panoramically the sea. Messara's gulf protects the harbour and the water temperature is warm all the year. Across Agia Galini are Paksimadia islands where you can go by sailing boat.
The caves along the beach are accessible only by boat. The beautiful beaches of Agios Georgios and Agios Pavlos are close and accessible by sailing boat. From Agia Galini, there are often sea excursions; east, to Matala and west to Preveli, Plakias, Fragokatelo and Hora Sfakion. The harbour is in front of the village and it has ramps for the boats. At the harbour are a lot of good hotel and restaurants.
The village is built on the west side of a small fertile valley of Ligiotis River or Plati, which discharges itself into the east side. During the ancient years, on the site of the village, there was a coastal settlement called Soulia or Soulina, seaport of ancient Sivritos one of the 100 cities of Minoan era. Godess Artemis (Diana) was worshipped here and there was also a temple dedicated to her. The cave of Daedalus, which according to mythology had his workshop, is located here. The city was destroyed by the Saracens in 640 AD.
In the cemetery of the settlement, the old church of the Assumption of the Virgin is preserved. Therefore, according to a version, the village was named after this monastery. Researches brought to light a wreck of a Roman ship of the 3rd century AD, in which many statuettes, oil lamps, busts, objects made of copper were found, and all these are now exposed in the Museum of Rethymnon.
The distance from Rethymnon is 61 km and 68 km from Iraklion. Transportation is very often especially with Rethymno and because Agia Galini is in the centre of Southern Crete the transition to anywhere in Crete is easy and quick. Very close to Agia Galini is a hospital and a health centre.