What to see

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. Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery.

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. 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 exotic beach of Falassarna is located 59km west of Chania and 17km west of Kissamos. It’s located in the western part of Cape Gramvousa. At the northern end of the beach are the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Falassarna. Falassarna bay is one of the most famous beaches in Greece, which has been awarded as the best beach of Crete and one of the 10 best beaches in Europe in the past. Falasarna spans a huge area and consists actually of five consecutive beaches, with the two most central being the most favorite.

One rarely finds a place so full of historical memories, which unfold before our eyes with exquisite skill through the architecture of the buildings looking onto the Venetian harbour, bearing scents from past times, drawing the visitor into a nostalgic game of the senses, a mixture of East and West. The modern restaurants, cafés and bars add to the charm of the harbour, providing the necessary notes of life and familiar comfort throughout the year.

The two beaches of the Holy Apostles (greek: Agii Apostoli) are located just 3km west of Chania and is a beautiful resort. The first cove at west is located just besides the east edge of Glaros beach. It is a beautiful sandy beach with all amenities and a large parking place nearby and easily accessed. A small peninsula is formed on the west side of the beach, which protects it from the winds.

The ancient city-state Aptera was founded in the 8th century BC and is situated in the Souda gulf, in a position of great importance. Today it is situated within the Souda municipality area in Chania. Aptera used to be a very important city-state and has played a key role in the history and the politics of Crete. Aptera flourished in the Early Hellenistic period and was continuously inhabited until the Arab occupation in the 9th century, when it was destroyed and abandoned.