It is probable, that the majority of those setting foot in Sfakia may well have walked the length of the Samaria Gorge and be one of the many muscle-aching souls on one of the ferries that travel from the mouth of the gorge, at Agia Roumeli to Chora Sfakia (or Sfakion). There to be collected by buses to return them to their hotels all over Crete. If Sfakia, the village or the region, is your destination, you will probably have driven, bused or taxied over the White Mountains - the Lefka Ori - from Chania and elsewhere on the Northern coast, a journey that is memorable both for the views, villages and the constantly repaired road that is possibly the "grand corniche" of Crete - many tight turns and steep drop-offs! Well worth the trip for the dramatic journey alone. The village of Chora Sfakia is both quiet - busy with individual or independent tourists in the summer - in its role as home and fishing village to local people, and a port for those travelling by ferry to Agia Roumeli, Sougia, Paleochora and the unspoilt island of Gavdos (see ferry schedules below). You could also approach the area from Plakias and the east on roads which are slow-going but pass through wonderful, distinctive Cretan scenery. 
In antiquity a major exporter of meat to Athens, Sfakia is now a notorious region with much history and the quieter form of tourism. It's wonderful, rugged Lefka Ori mountains offer significant hiking opportunities ranging from difficult to hard-walking.
 

How to get there - Sfakia

By car, bus or taxi from Chania or from Rethymno and Heraklion the most accessible route is via the turn off the National Road at Vrysses - in itself a pleasing village. Many will be familiar with the cafe that also doubles as the waiting area for connecting buses. Bus schedules.
Then, the route is up and over the Lefka Ori mountain range via the villages of Askifou and Imbros (great place to stop for Sfakian pies!). 
From Vrysses to Imbros takes roughly 45 minutes - though with stops (and you'll want to enjoy this, as it's one of the "Great Drives of Crete") you add some time.