Agia Galini is a traditional, fishing village on the southern coast of Crete. It is located 61km southeast of Rethymnon and 68km west of Heraklion on the southern edge of Libyan Sea overlooking the Bay of Messara. Agia Galini retains its picturesqueness and the visitor may well combine mountain and sea. It has a lovely sandy beach with small pebbles and deep blue waters. Furthermore, visitors can climb over the nearby hills where the view is unique and get walking to the nearby picturesque village Melabes.

The port of Agia Galini just opposite the village entertains yachts and sailboats, which are crowded during the summer months. The amphitheatric disposition of houses make Agia Galini exceptional offering wonderful view over the harbor and the bay of Messara, and it is equally impressive for the visitor the view from the harbor over the village. Agia Galini is a very hospitable village. Strolling about the narrow streets one can perceive the old village houses, and discover its history, 40 years ago, when the current resort was a small fishing village with about five hundred inhabitants.

The area abounds in taverns and restaurants. Apart from the main street with souvenir shops, through the narrow streets you will find more traditional taverns with homemade cooking, where somebody of the locals will enjoy his snack and a glass of raki. On the cliff above the bay there are many restaurants offering excellent view over the Bay of Messara. Unlike the name of the area, Agia Galini has a rather strong and noisy nightlife with many bars and cafes. If you are fond of traditional entertainment in some taverns play live, local music.

Tours

The place is ideal for those who want to relax and enjoy the sun and the sea. Agia Galini is nevertheless a place where you do not need to travel by car unless you want to visit some other place, because everything is within walking distance and easily accessible. In the harbor there are many boats carrying out daily trips to nearby islands and beaches close to Agia Galini.

In the afternoon you can head to the quayside to see the sunset and the cave of Agia Galini, just outside the port. With small boats sailing off from the port, you can visit the cave with wild pigeons. There are also organized trips for tourists to see dolphins.

In the village of Agia Galini you can see the Byzantine Church of Panagia. Other interesting churches in the region are Panagia in Hordaki, 1km from Agia Galini, and the church of Ag. Ioannis in Amari. 9km west of Agia Galini is located Agios Georgios, a quiet place with a beautiful beach with fine pebbles. It is also worth visiting the beautiful bay at Cape of Melissa.

Archaeological sites