Sfakia is a region gifted by a landscape of a distinctive natural beauty and of high ecological value. From edge to edge and alongside Sfakia lay the White Mountains, with 100 peaks, 58 of which are over 2.000m in height. Several remain covered with snow even during the summer, whilst others are covered with some of the oldest in Europe primary forests and pine cypress.

Sfakia region accommodates the largest gorge in Europe, that of Samaria, (National Park), with a length of 15 km, as well as many other impressive gorges (like Imvros, Aradena, Kallikrates etc.) and remarkable caves, some of which still remain unexplored until now. The fauna of Sfakia is also unique, including the Cretan wild goat or better known as "Kri-Kri" (protected species), the eagle species of "Chrysaetos", "Gypaetos", the wildcat "fourogatos" and many more. The flora of Sfakia is very significant and rich, since there are more than 30 endemic species in the region, like "Diktamo" or else "herb of love". Of course Sfakia have beautiful lace-like shores like Loutro, Glika Nera, Illigas, "Orthi Ammos" in Fragkokastelo, etc. As far as the diet of Sfakia is concerned, the region is well known for its Sfakian pies, "tsigariasto" lamb, the "gamopilafo" (rice served in weddings), the local rusks, the "graviera" cheese and many other dairy products as Sfakians have a long tradition in stock breeding as it was and still is their main occupation.

The tradition of the region is rich and unique. The "rizitika" songs were born here at the roots of the White Mountains and still dominate until today in all aspects of life, in moments of joy, sadness, memory patriotic fights etc. Cretan dances are all danced here, such as "pentozali", a war dance that inspired the leader of the revolution of 1877, Daskalogiannis, a hero of Sfakia and all of Crete. The female traditional dress has the general characteristics of the traditional clothing of Chania Prefecture, and is one of the 4 of Crete, while the unique characteristics of tha local textiles can be found in colorful "batanies" (type blankets), towels with elaborate positive fastening (lace type), the male "kefalomantilo", a necessary accessory of traditional men's clothing, etc. The overall story of Sfakia includes myths and folklore of fairies and nymphs, gods and mortal heroes, with the limits of truth and myth being indistinguishable. A famous myth is that of "drosoulites" in Frangokastello. The myth talks about horseback warrior figures to gallop and lost in the horizon, and which appear during May at dawn, when there is enough moisture ("drosoula"). This phenomenon is still subject to scientific research and has not been given a satisfactory explanation yet.

Sfakia have also an anthropological interest, which is a result of the area that is difficult to approach. This isolation of the inhabitants has resulted in the preservation of a special type of man, with physiognomic and personality characteristics that attract the interest, until today, of anthropologists and other researchers. Sfakia also bear the signs of the various conquerors that passed from Crete, although they remained essentially unenslaved. The castles of Frangokastello and Samaria, the "Koules" (castle) in Askifou, are only a few signs indicating the presence of various conquerors in the region.

All of the above are elements of alternative tourism, and show that Sfakia is one of the most ideal places for this type of tourist development, as the visitors may experience all that in just one place.