Hidden gem
Seitan Limania
A dramatic zig-zag cove squeezed between sheer cliffs on the Akrotiri peninsula.
Secluded coves · Chania
Chania
Beaches, sights, villages and services in Chania.
The west of Crete is the island at its most dramatic. Chania has the most beautiful Venetian old town on Crete, wrapped around a harbour with a lighthouse and a domed mosque. In the evening the narrow lanes of Splantzia and the old Jewish quarter fill up with tavernas and small bars.
Head west for the famous lagoons and pink-sand beaches of Balos, Falasarna and Elafonisi, some of the most photographed spots in Greece. The peninsula of Akrotiri, close to town, has quiet monasteries and the turquoise cove of Seitan Limania, and the Apokoronas villages to the east are green, peaceful and popular with people who live here all year.
To the south rise the White Mountains. The Samaria gorge is the classic hike, but Imbros and Aradena are shorter and just as beautiful. On the south coast, Sfakia, Loutro and Agia Roumeli are reached by road, on foot or by small ferry, and the island of Gavdos is the southernmost point of Europe.
Good to know: fly into Chania airport (CHQ). Kissamos is the best base for the western beaches, Chania town for food and evenings, and Sfakia for the gorges and the south coast.
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Hidden gem
Kedrodasos
Wild coves backed by an ancient juniper forest, a short way from Elafonisi.
Secluded coves · Kissamos
Hidden gem
Glyka Nera Beach (Sweet Water)
A pebble beach under the cliffs of Sfakia, with fresh water springs bubbling up in the sea.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Marmara Beach
A cluster of marble coves at the mouth of the Aradena gorge, with a taverna above.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Orthi Ammos Beach
A quiet beach next to Frangokastello with a huge sand dune rising behind it.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Finikas Beach
A remote pebble cove near Loutro, at the site of the ancient port of Phoenix.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Krios Beach
A kilometre of coarse sand and white pebbles split into three coves, west of Paleochora.
Secluded coves · Kantanos-Selino
Hidden gem
Kouloura Lagoon
A small natural rock pool in Halepa, Chania, that looks like a turquoise swimming pool.
Pebble beaches · Chania
Hidden gem
Gialiskari Beach
Three secluded coves at the mouth of the Anydri gorge, east of Paleochora.
Secluded coves · Kantanos-Selino
Hidden gem
Filaki Beach
A secluded pebble beach near Chora Sfakion, one of the few official naturist beaches on Crete.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Menies Beach
A small secluded beach at the tip of the Rodopos peninsula, near an ancient temple.
Secluded coves · Platanias
Hidden gem
Koutelos Beach
A small, wild pebble beach east of Frangokastello with dark blue water.
Secluded coves · Sfakia
Hidden gem
Macherida Beach
A small secluded bay on Akrotiri next to a knife shaped cape.
Secluded coves · Chania
Hidden gem
Tripiti Beach
One of the most remote beaches on Crete, east of Sougia, reached on foot or by boat.
Secluded coves · Kantanos-Selino
Hidden gem
Ottoman Baths of Chania
Old hammam by the harbour.
Old towns & landmarks · Chania
Hidden gem
Souda Fortress
A Venetian fort on an islet in Souda Bay.
Forts & castles · Apokoronas
Hidden gem
Chrissopigi Monastery
A 16th century convent near Chania.
Churches & monasteries · Chania
Hidden gem
Askifou War Museum
A private WWII collection in the mountains.
Museums · Apokoronas
Hidden gem
Saint Francis Church
A Venetian Gothic church in the old town.
Churches & monasteries · Chania
Hidden gem
Trimartyri Cathedral
Chania's main cathedral.
Churches & monasteries · Chania
Hidden gem
Archaeological Museum of Kissamos
Mosaics and finds from western Crete.
Museums · Kissamos
Hidden gem
Selino Fortress
Venetian fort ruins above Paleochora.
Forts & castles · Kantanos-Selino
Hidden gem
German War Cemetery Maleme
WWII cemetery above Maleme.
Old towns & landmarks · Platanias
Hidden gem
Rotunda of Episkopi (Michael Archangel)
One of Crete's oldest Byzantine churches.
Churches & monasteries · Kissamos
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