Must Visit

The Samaria Gorge is the longest ravine in Europe, with a total lenght of 16 km, and offers one of the most spectacular hiking routes. It has been designated as a national park in order to protect its flora and fauna.

The walk takes about 3 to 6 hours. The beginning of the route is the Xiloskalo ( wooden steps). A route of wide steps leads down into the gorge and facilitates hikers fast descent. The trail follows a riverbed through a magnificent wooded area with tall trees and spectacular views along the way.

Midway lies the abandoned small village of Samaria, with a tiny 14th century Byzantine church dedicated to Saint Maria the Egyptian, who gave her name to the area (Sa Maria). One of the most impressive parts of the route is the Sideroportes ( Iron Gates) where the rock walls, only 3 m apart , soar straight up to about 600 m.

The walk through the national park is 13 km long but visitors have to walk an extra 3 km to reach to village of Agia Roumeli, where there is a frequent ferry transport going back to Sfakia.

How to get there: To reach the gorge you arrive to Omalos, in the village of Xiloskalo, at an altitude of 1250m. The best way to reach Omalos is by public bus or through an organized group. After finishing the gorge in the village of Agia Roumeli, you take one of the ferries to Sfakia and then an evening KTEL bus to Chania.

Elafonisi meaning deer island in Greek, is the name of an island located opposite a long beach found on the south-west corner of Crete. The beach was a well guarded secret. Turquoise waters, red and pink coral sand and not a soul in sight. Nowadays boats and tour buses arrive every day and the beach in most parts is lined with umbrellas.

It s really worth the early awakening to arrive at the beach before the peak hours! When the weather is fine it is possible to walk to the island through the shallow water. The island is a protected nature reserve.

How to get there: You can get there by suburban bus service (KTEL) from Chania or Platanias, or by car taking the road to Elafonisi.

About 1 km east of the famous Elafonisi lagoon you will reach Kedrodasos, cedar forest in Greek, as the beach is filled with juniper trees ( looking a lot like cedars) and sand dunes.

As the beach has no public facilities or services of any kind and it s not particularly close to any village, the whole area is a unique, wild and totally virgin scenery.

It is surely an amazing experience, although you have to be prepared. Water, umbrellas or sarongs for shade, food, toilet paper and sun cream are all essentials!

On the west side of Kissamos and north of the beautiful village of Kaliviani, stretches the impressive Gramvousa peninsula with its Venetian castle. The peninsula is formed by steep rocks and is covered with thyme and oregano bushes and wild flowers.

On the north west part of the peninsula, opposite the island of Gramvousa is the wonderful beach of Balos. The beach is located between the two creeks of the Tigani cape and is covered with fine white sand. The same white sand covers the bottom of the sea, giving them the characteristic emerald colour.

How to get there: Apart from car or bus service, boat trips are available many times a day from Kastelli directly to the beach of Balos and the island of Gramvousa. In that case you can skip an about 30 minutes walk you would otherwise have. The boat trip is one hour long and the views of the rugged coastline is terrific.

Falasarna is probably the most beautiful beach in Crete, with crystal clear waters. Half a kilometer from the beach, you can visit the ancient town of Falasarna. This is the ancient harbour town of Polirhinia and was built during the Historical period.

The town was named after the nymph Falasarna. The peak of the city of Falasarna was during the Hellenistic period and at the time the city had its own coin, which on the one side depicted the head of a woman with earrings and on the other the letters FA.

Still standing, you can see the ruins of the Walls of the Acropolis. Many foundations of houses, ancient graves and a stone throne still exist. The throne was probably consecrated to the god of the sea Poseidon, because Falasarna has been a naval town. Its ancient harbour is still being excavated.

How to get there: You can get there by suburban bus service (KTEL) from Chania or Platanias, or by car taking the road to Kastelli.