Fodele

The area of Fodele extends from the northern side of the mountain "Strouboulas" to the northern coast of Crete, at the bay of Fodele. It is located approx. 28 klms west of Heraklion close to Aghia Pelaghia.. Most of its area is forest covered by bushes, orange groves and hundreds of flora and fauna species. The village itself is built among orange trees and plane-trees; it is a quiet village with a number of interesting buildings, including the house where Domenikos Theotokopolous, otherwise known as El Greco, was born in 1541. Next to the square is a shady park with a river running through and numerous taverns on the river banks as well as small gift shops. At Fodele there are two beaches, the first near the national road which is sandy & providing some tourist facilities. The other one is located a little more to the west, accessible only from the village and is the quieter of the two but with no amenities. There are regular public buses to the towns of Rethymno and Heraklion.