Chania Topolia

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• General info • Things to do & See • Tours & Activities • Map • Members Photos (2) • Greeka Photos (9) • Write a review!

General information

Topolia is a lovely village in the inland of Crete, located 48 km southeast of Chania Town, on the road to Elafonisi. Built on the hillslopes at an altitude of 307 meters, Topolia offers a gorgeous view of the surrounding region. It’s a village with traditional color, adorned with picturesque stone houses and narrow streets. Most inhabitants are occupied with agriculture and cattle breeding. The village boasts an abundance of running water, olive trees, chestnut trees, and lovely poplars.

There are different opinions regarding the origins of the name Topolia. It is believed that it derives from the words topos (place) and leios (smooth). Another theory is that it comes from the Slavic word topoli, referring to a type of poplar.
According to the Venetian census in 1583, the village counted 232 residents, while in the 1900 census, 571 inhabitants were recorded. Topolia belonged to the Municipality of Kasteli until 1925, when it was declared the capital of the Municipality of Topolia. In 1997, it became part of the Municipality of Mithimni and nowadays belongs to the Municipality of Kissamos.

Things to See & Do in Topolia

Check out the things to see & do in Topolia during your stay and explore what the area has to offer.

Topolia Gorge

Top Activities & Tours in Topolia

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Day trip to Elafonisi Island

Category: Day Trips, Island, Shore Excursions

Enjoy a fantastic day trip from Chania to Elafonisi Island, let the sun sink in, and relax by Elafonisi's stunning pink sand!

9 - 12 hours Map
from € 31.45
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Topolia Map

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More about Topolia

The most impressive spot near the village is definitely the 1,500-meter-long Topolia Gorge. This gorge has steep slopes, along which many caves can be found. The most significant is the Cave of Saint Sophia, along with the homonymous chapel, located on the western side of the gorge. The inside of the cave is adorned with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. In Topolia, there is also a two-aisled church dedicated to the True Cross and Saint Paraskevi. The inside is decorated with murals that have remained in good condition.

Spilia is small and not extremely affected by the development of mass tourism. As a result, the accommodation choices available are rather limited. Walking around the village, you will come across several charming traditional restaurants serving delicious Mediterranean dishes and savory Cretan wines. If you’re looking for a place to reside, there is a cozy, small guest house in the area where you can have a pleasant, comfortable stay.

The intercity bus connects Topolia to Chania Town. For more information and online tickets, check out the official site. Alternatively, you can reach Topolia by car, which will take you about 42 minutes from Chania Town. If you do not have your own car, you can choose among the car rental options available here.

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