The village Maleme is located 17 km west of Chania, on the main road to Kastelli Kissamos, a coastal village of 700 permanent residents.
It was a battlefield during the German invasion on the Island, because of the military airport, which had been the first target of German paratroopers.
During your stay in Maleme, it worth taking the time to visit the German Army Graveyard created for the 4500 Germans who lost their lives in Crete during the Second World War.
In recent years, Maleme has a touristic development due to its proximity to Platanias, which is a well known tourist destination.
The village has often transport links with the local buses during the summer, from early morning until late – for the convenience of locals and tourists residing in the area. You can also use a taxi or a hired car or motorbike.
One of the most important historic monuments in western Crete, is the Maleme cemetery.Maleme was the first area which the Germans wanted to occupiers during the Second World War because of the airport there.
The battle of March 20 is known as the Battle of Crete, a date in which the island of Crete ended up in the hands of the Germans.At this point where the battle occurred, the German Ministry of Culture has built a German cemetery in to honor the Germans who died in the war during 1941-1945.
