PORTES

The Portes is an isolated fishing village with a few old houses, characterized by their whitewashed courtyards and colorful flowers, and many holiday homes.

At Portes there is a small picturesque harbor for the fishing boats of the area, as well as a beautiful, rocky and somewhat secluded beach with pebbles that has several pine trees on one side and another sandy beach from the other.

It is said that the name "Portes" comes from "Porto" (port), as it was called in the past, as its location facilitated trade. From here, loads of raisins, figs and retsina left for various destinations. Another version of the origin of the village's name states that in order to protect the inhabitants from pirate raids, they only had doors in their houses and never windows.

Portes was a port of the Venetians and from there they loaded large processed black stones to build the ports of Crete. It is characteristic that many cobblestones in Crete are made with Aeginite stone.

Today the village lives from fishing, tourism and its 80 permanent residents try to preserve traditions. The picturesqueness and the tranquility of the landscape attract visitors who wish for their holidays to have peace, fresh fish from local fishermen and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the endless and smooth pebbled beach, where the pine trees reach the edge of the sea.

There are three taverns operating in the area, located on the sea. The tavern "Akroyali" only has fresh fish and is closed in winter, the tavern "Thanasis" also has fresh fish and roasts of the hour and operates all year round, while the third tavern "Sofia" remains open all year , but in winter it only operates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In these taverns, in addition to fresh fish and cockles, you can order ribs and rooster.

Portes can be reached by following the coastal road from Agia Marina, after a beautiful green route or by descending from the mountain village of Anitsao.

Portes is a quiet place, suitable for quiet holidays, swimming and fishing.