Fodele is a small village built in the hills a couple of miles from the sea. It lies between the towns of Heraklion and Rethymnon and is surrounded by tall plane trees, orange groves and orchards. It has lovely views over the bay which is bordered by a sandy beach. It is a quiet village with a number of interesting buildings, including the El Greco house and museum. Next to the square is a shady park with a river running through. There is a good range of accommodation and numerous tavernas and small gift shops. Although the village has provided amenities for holidaymakers, it has not lost its traditional charm.
A Fodele holiday provides an idyllic setting with marvellous views. It offers a relaxing break from the rigours of life, in a village where the pace of life is far removed from the twentieth century overdrive that many of us experience. It affords the opportunity to savour the natural beauty of the countryside and the food and the traditional lifestyle of its people.
A Fodele holiday is popular with those looking for peace and relaxation in a picturesque environment. Couples in particular flock to Fodele to experience its traditional charms. Families with children may want to be closer to the beaches which are a couple of miles down the hill.
The most popular time to visit Fodele is in the summer. The season extends from Easter to October when the temperature range is from twenty to thirty degrees.
Fodele is a small village on the north coast of Crete, two miles from the sea. Built on a hill it has wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. It is close to the popular resort of Agia Pelagia. It is a verdant area with citrus groves, orchards and tall plane trees and a river running through it which has water even in summer. The pretty park offers respite from the summer heat in the shade of its many trees.
The original village of Fodele, before its expansion to provide for the needs of holidaymakers, has very attractive streets where the houses are covered in flowering plants. The Byzantine Church of the Virgin Mary, is cruciform in style with a cupola and dates back to the eleventh century. Close to the church is another tourist attraction, the house where El Greco, Domenikos Theotokopolous, was born in 1541. It now houses a museum and has reproductions of his influential work. The village square has a plane tree reputed to be one thousand years old. Beneath it is a plaque honouring El Greco.
A Fodele holiday offers two beaches, one on the bay which is accessed by the main road and one to the west which can only be reached via the village. This is the quieter of the two but it does not have any amenities.
There are public buses to the towns and there are many opportunities for excursions to some of the ancient sites as well as boat trips to Spinalonga and even to Santorini.
A Fodele holiday appeals to those looking for a quiet spot in Crete where they can relax and recharge their batteries in a picturesque environment.
Fodele is a relaxing resort by day and this does not change when the sun goes down. There are many places where you can enjoy an evening meal in tranquil surroundings. Although there are bars with music and some of the larger hotels provide their own entertainment, Fodele’s nightlife can only be described as understated.
Fodele has shops providing holidaymakers with essentials as well as a plethora of gift and craft shops. There is a market selling local produce where you can barter for your holiday bargains. Those wanting a wider variety of shops can take a scenic bus ride to Heraklion or Rethymnon where they will find many high quality specialist shops.
Fodele has a variety of restaurants and tavernas catering for most tastes. There are many first class restaurants serving traditional as well as international cuisine. Fish features widely on menus. If you feel peckish between lunch and dinner try a plate of meze, a Greek equivalent of the Spanish tapas, with such things as deep fried fish, stuffed vine leaves, pickles, olives and halloumi.
Eating out in Greece is a pleasure that should be enjoyed in a leisurely fashion. Don’t mistake the lack of haste for tardy service as you are simply being given the time to fully enjoy each course. Children are warmly welcomed in restaurants and their tastes and portion size are usually accommodated.
