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Agia Galini (meaning: holy peace) is a very charming - yet touristy - village in the Bay of Messara in the south of Crete. It's situated on a steep hill a little north of Matala at a distance of one and a half hours drive from the capital Heraklion. It seems to consist of mainly hotels and tavernas along bougainville covered steep steps up the hill. Agia Galini has all amenities like souvenir shops, supermarkets and ATM machines to withdraw cash. There are cosy terraces where you can have a drink and the beach is pretty good. It doesn't get as busy here as it gets in some other places in Crete (for instance Chersonissos or Malia). Visited by bus loads of tourists it's still a place with atmosphere though and there is plenty of space on the beach.

When you are staying in Agia Galini you can make a day trip to Preveli beach. This beach is one of the prettiest beaches of Crete. It is situated at the end of a river that divides the beach into two. It is famous and very picturesque because of its palm trees. The palm tree forest has been hit by a large fire in 2010 though and sadly much of the scenery (about 50%) was destroyed at that time. Another excursion by boat will take you to the next bay where you find the beaches of Agios Georgios.

Agia Galini has a cosy harbour and interesting scenery: high cliffs, flowers, a river, a beautiful view of the white mountains, and last but not least a good (pebble) beach. On one side of the harbour on some sort of a small hill are the statues of Daidalos and Ikaros, overlooking the bay. These two mythological figures flew with wings that had been attached to their bodies with wax. Ikaros came too close to the sun and the wax melted, so he crashed into the sea (near the island of Ikaria). What their two statues are doing over here was a big question to me, but they are decorative and beautiful indeed. The myth tells that Ikaros and Daidalos after escaping from King Minos fled to Agia Galini (which was named Soulia at that time, the Minoan times) and took off into the sky from this rock. From this spot where the statues stand - which can be reached easily on foot - you also have a nice view over the village and the sea.

The beach of Agia Galini is situated next to the village, is about 1 kilometer long and it is suitable for children because it is shallow. Behind that there is a smaller nudist beach with equally clear waters (no longer in 2017). On the east side of Agia Galini there are interesting caves that you can visit by excursion boat. There are enough small bars and other places that you can visit in the evenings. There is also a camping site in the village.

Agia Galini has about 800 inhabitants, but the village and its surroundings attracts about 2500 tourists during the high season. Agia Galini is definitely a place to recommend. It is not packed with mass tourism and yet there is a bit of life in the village. The ugly concrete buildings that you will find in some of the tourist destinations are not te be found here. There is only one road for the traffic so the rest of the village is free of cars. Agia Galini lives mainly from tourism but in the wider area also vegetables (cucumbers and tomatoes) are cultivated. In front of the coast of Agia Galini lie the small Paximadia islands. To these two islands there are also organized boat trips.

Agia Galini was founded in 1884 on the same spot where the ancient Soulia was situated. This was the port of the old Syvritos, a Minoan city. Soulia was destroyed by pirates in 640 AD and not rebuild until the Venetian times. It flourished as an economical center for the export of olive oil and other products. The small church of Galini Christos dates from the middle ages and was built on the remains of an Artemis temple. During the building of houses in Agia Galini remains from the ancient times were found, such as graves and granite columns. These remains are exhibited in the church of the village.

The story goes that the name Agia Galini comes from the Byzantine Empress Eudocia, who during her journey to the holy land ended up in a storm. She prayed to the Virgin Mary and asked for her help. She promised to build a church at the spot where she would safely land ashore. Then she landed safely on the shore of current Agia Galini and she had a church built here. She called this church the Panagia Galini (the peaceful Mary). Over the years the name changed in Agia Galini (Holy Peace). The remains of the church are still visible in the cemetery of Agia Galini. Another theory is that the name comes from the church that was build over the old Artemis temple. This church is called the Galini Christos (the peaceful Christ). The modern village of Agia Galini dates from 1884 when families from Melampes and other neighbouring villages started to build it.