Chania Old Town:
Chania Town:
Lose yourself in the labyrinthine alleys of the Old Town, where centuries-old architecture meets bustling markets and cozy cafes. Admire the well-preserved Venetian and Ottoman buildings as you stroll through this living museum of history.
Venetian Harbor: Witness the timeless beauty of Chania's Venetian Harbor, adorned with colorful fishing boats and waterfront tavernas. Take a leisurely stroll along the promenade, soak in the sunset views, or embark on a boat tour to discover hidden coves and sea caves.
Archaeological Museum of Chania: Delve into the rich history of Crete at the Archaeological Museum of Chania, home to a vast collection of artifacts spanning from the Neolithic era to the Roman period. Marvel at ancient treasures, including Minoan pottery, Byzantine mosaics, and Roman sculptures.
Chania Lighthouse: Stand in awe of the iconic Chania Lighthouse, a symbol of the city's maritime heritage. Climb to the top for panoramic views of the surrounding coastline and the majestic White Mountains looming in the distance.
Balos
The famous lagoon of Balos is located approximately 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, formed between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani and below the range of Platiskinos. Balos is surely the mostly photographed beach in Crete, a very favorite subject of all tourist guides for Greece. It is no coincidence that Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited Balos with their private yacht many years ago.
Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, Balos is visited by thousands of people, who arrive mostly by the ferries running from Kissamos port. If you do not like crowds, you’d better avoid to visit the beach in July and August. Also, a perfect idea is to arrive at Balos in the morning, before the boats arrive from Kissamos. These few hours of remoteness in such a heavenly place will remain etched in your memory forever.
The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling. The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna, are protected under the Natura 2000 program. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves of the area. Moreover, the area is a shelter for the protected monk seal and the sea turtle caretta caretta. Despite the protection, a primitive café and umbrellas have appeared on the beach in recent years. You can buy water from there and from the bars of the ferries.
Read more: http://www.cretanbeaches.com/
Balos lagoon
Elafonissi beach
Elafonissi
Elafonisi is located 76km west of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery, in the southwesternmost point of Crete. Elafonisi is an oblong, which often “breaks” in two parts by water giving the impression of being a separate island. Elafonisi is a Natura 2000 protected area. The island is full of dunes with sand lilies and jupiners (like-cedars trees). The endangered turtles careta careta and several rare animals nest on the island and it is strictly forbidden to remove any plants, animals and sand from the area.
Exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise waters, reminding of the Caribbean, are formed on either sides of the peninsula. The sand is pinkish in many places, taking its color from thousands of broken shells. Near the “breaking” point of the peninsula, the water does not exceed 1m, creating a small lagoon, ideal for children. You can easily cross the lagoon in order to reach the “island”, having your staff with you, because the water is very shallow there.
The eastern side of the beach, in front of the lagoon, is well organized and has the most people. There are umbrellas, showers, lifeguards, snack bars and changing rooms. Also, near the beach there is a huge area for parking and, even further, a few rooms to let. Opposedly, the beaches on either sides of the island are less crowded and are the most beautiful, with amazing azure colors. If you want to stay completely secluded or nude, you can walk along the peninsula until you find a quiet cove that you like! There are always many coves available for naturists.
You can come by car (1.5 hours) or by bus from Chania. The road to Elafonisi is narrow and full of turns, but the beauty of the landscape is stunning. Moreover there are many options for accommodation and meals available at Chrisoskalitissa village, 5km north.
Read more: http://www.cretanbeaches.com