The massive outline of the Frankish castle (Frangokástele) is visible from afar; it was built in 1371 by the Venetians as a defence against pirates, Turks and insurgent Sfakiots. It is rectangular in plan with crenellated walls and a square tower at each corner, one of which was reinforced to form the keep. It surveys the empty sea as if it were at the ends of the earth (during the low season at any rate). Over the sea gate the lion of St Mark looks down on the remains of the deserted harbour next to a fine sandy beach.

The little abandoned village of Arádena, 4km from Anópoli and 16km from Sfakiá, marks the beginning of Arádena Gorge. There is a stunning view just before the metal bridge spanning it. The magnificent descent of this striking gorge is for experienced walkers and includes negotiating an amazing sheer drop from a rock cliff (there are steps and ropes to help).

The Archeological Museum is housed in the former church of St Francis, built in the 14C in the Venetian Gothic style; it has a nave and two aisles with ogival vaulting. It was the church for a Franciscan convent and was turned into a mosque by the Turks. The exhibits include magnificent painted sarcophagi and ceramics from the Minoan period and Roman mosaics. The pretty garden has palm trees and other exotic plants around a fine hexagonal Turkish fountain.

The old town was built from the 13C onwards by the Venetians, who enclosed it within a wall that was rebuilt in the 16C to the plans of the great engineer Sanmicheli; a few fragments of the wall are still standing. Don't miss the Kastéli district, which was the site of ancient Kydonia, a rival of Knossós, and the Merchants' District which houses the Naval Museum (historic documents and model ships) and contains old Venetian houses (some doorways have sculpted coats of arms and mottoes).