Vamos, Crete

About 40 minutes drive east of Chania and approx 10 mins drive inland from Kalives the traditional village of Vamos sits 250m above sea level and looks towards both Souda Bay in one direction and the White Mountains in the other.

At the centre of the leafy Apokoronou peninsular, there is good walking in the area following byways from unspoilt village to unspoilt village and even down to the coast. Within a radius of 11 kms are some of the prettiest beach resorts of the North West coast, including Kalives, Almerida and Georgioupolis. Inland, Vrisses and the foot hills of the White Mountains offer further scenic routes.

Its strategic vantage point was first recognised by Arab Pirates who first settled here in the 8^th century. Much later the Venetians came and went, to be later followed by the Turks, each establishing their own architectural heritage and today there remains an abundant scattering of impressive neoclassical buildings.

Over the decades these houses had fallen into disrepair and the village's young people abandoned their homes to move into towns. In 1995 the Vamos Preservation Society was founded by a group of locals who felt that new life could be breathed into the community by reviving the the old traditions. Its success  is  evident today in this now  thriving community where there is a place  for old and young and traditions are being kept alive. 

Visitors to Vamos can  enjoy the authentic atmosphere of a working village where you are as likely to bump into a shepherd with his flock of sheep as a tourist. Amongst the villages stepped lanes you’ll find several cafenions, three excellent tavernas, a butcher,  baker, minimarkets and a bank, ATM machine, post office, health centre. 

The Preservation Society is now instrumental in running two traditional tavernas, which each have a programme of cultural events, and a small shop selling local, traditional cheeses, honey, oil etc.

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