Marathokefala is a settlement near Kolymbari in Chania in the North West part of Crete. It is at an altitude of 120 meters and approximately 64 people live in the village.
Marathokefalas sits on a hillside overlooking the bay of Kolimbari. The village is known for its famous historical cave of St John the Hermit, which is situated near Marathokefala, a little higher than the bed of Avlaki gorge. The famous cave is richly decorated with numerous stalactites and stalagmites. This is where St. John the Hermit, the founder of the Catholicon Monastery lived for three years. He led an ascetic life in the nude for a long time in this part of the island.
The nearest town of Kolimbari is just a couple of minutes away by car and provides all the services needed, like shops, supermarket, good taverns, doctor, pharmacy, gas stations etc. A pebbled beach and a sea with crystal clear waters await you. The waterfront and the jetty of the new harbor, that encloses the old harbor with the fishing boats, is ideal for a stroll in the afternoon or a good meal in one of its taverns overlooking the blue of the sea, the hills and the mountains rising majestically in the background. Every Friday there is a "laiki", an open vegetable and fruit market where one can buy fresh locally grown products.
It has easy access to the highway (1 km) leading to Chania and the airport. It takes about ½ hour drive to reach the Venetian city of Chania (25km) and 50 minutes to Chania international airport.
