Georgioupoli

Georgioupoli

Georgioupoli is a fairly large and busy village at the mouth of the Almiros river. The photographs below show the river looking inland and towards the sea from a bridge at the centre of the village. Local teenagers test their courage by jumping from the brige into the river below. There are several sandy beaches along the coast at Georgioupoli where swimming is sheltered with a breakwater.There is abundant wildlife in the area attracted by the river and surrounding semi-wetland. Loggerhead turtles lay eggs on some of the local beaches. 

(photographs above taken recently by Pure Crete Clients staying at Zoi's House)

from wikipedia:

Georgioupoli or Georgioupolis (Greek: Γεωργιούπολη) is a village and resort on the Greek island of Crete. It is located 43 km east of Chania, about 22 km west of Rethymno and about 100 km west of Heraklio in the Apokoronas region. It was named after Prince George of Greece, high commissioner of the island in the last years of Ottoman occupation.

Georgioupoli is found at the apex of Almiros Bay on the Sea of Crete, with Cape Drapano and its rocky coast to the north and the long sandy beaches towards Rethimno in the east, just 20 km away. Three rivers meet the sea at the village; the largest, Almiros, creates a small harbour for fishing and tourist boats. The entrance to the village on the old road from Vrisses is a long avenue of eucalyptus trees.

Formerly a small fishing village, Georgioupoli is very much a tourist town now, with many cafés, tavernas and small hotels and apartment blocks. The town square is surrounded by outdoor seating used by tourists enjoying their drinks and ice creams. The 9 km beach is the main attraction of the area, with Kalyvaki beach on the other side of the river as well. Nearby Lake Kournas is also a popular excursion by foot, bicycle or tourist 'train'. Georgioupoli is a well-located base for exploring the traditional villages of the area towards Vamos or into the White Mountains to the south.

Archaeological evidence points to Georgioupoli as the site of ancient Amphimalla (Amfimala or Amfimalion), the port of Lappa, a classical city at modern Argyroupoli.