Routes from Chania and Platanias Area

Sitia - Paleokastro - Vai - Zakros

The Acrotiri Peninsula is part of the Kydonia province and is located to the east of Chania. There is the civil and military airport of Chania, the impressive Agia Triada monastery, Moni Gouverneto and monastery of Katholiko. Each of them became rather popular with visitors for their historic and architectural importance. A grave of the family Venizelos is located at the cape as well. A short way from there you can enjoy your swim at the Stavros beach.

Chania - Omalos - Samaria

The road between Chania and Fournes passes through the fields of Agia and Akikianou villiges where you can visit a few Byzantine churches with frescoes from the 14th century, the most prolific period of Cretan art. Fournes is a small village built on the hills and is the crossroad to Omalos and the Samaria George and the village of Meskla with its orange fields and Byzantine churches (the church of the Virgin Mary and the church of Christ Saviour). After this you will pass the Lakoi village and arrive to the Omalos plateau. It is at an altitude of 1200 meters.In the winter it is often covered by snow. It offers a great view to the Leyka Ori (The White Mountains). The plateau of Omalos is the entrance to the Samaria George. Cross the plateau and take the Xyloscalo (wooden staircase) and they will lead you to the entrance of the George. It is a National Park of Greece from 1962 and actually is a refuge for a rare kri-kri goat. The George is long 16 km and is at an altitude of 1250m at the northern entrance and ending at the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli. A "must "for visitors is to complete the walk down the George at its length. The walk takes 4-7 hours you will be amazed by the steep cliffs rising up to 600 m above you, widening up to 40 m or narrowing down to the point where you can touch both sides with your hands. You should let yourself do this small adventure.

Chania - Elafonisi

In order to explore the west side of the island rent a car and plan one day trip to the amazing and unforgettable Elafonisi. Near the southest tip of the island, 43 km form Kastelli 76 km from Chania. The 5 km long dirty road from Chrisokalitisa continues all along down to the Elafonisi. It is one the prettiest west beaches on Crete and equally famous with Vai east beach. Pinkish sand, very shallow water and a bit crowded till 16.00h when most of the tourists leave so it would be the best time to come and enjoy it. Wait till the sunset and have your camera loaded and ready. Across you can see the island of Elafonisi itself. 1824 this islet was the site of a massacre of 850 women and children by the Turks.There is a memorial plaque on the highest point of the islet.

Chania - Balos - Gramvousa

Make your holidays unique and incomparable having a visit to Balos and Gramvousa, area close to Chania prefecture. The easiest way is to rent a car and start early in the morning. The Balos Lagoon is at the northwesternmost point of Crete, on cape of Gramvousa, near the town of Kissamos or Castelli. Park the car at the port of Kissamos and take a boat, or go by car on a rough dirt track, but in that case is better to rent a 4x4 vehicle. Balos is famous for all the blue and green shadows of the sea water and desert-isle sand, an exceptional place in a wind protected area. On the top of the island is located a castle built by the Venetians in order to protect Crete from a Turkish occupation. It was one of the unconquered bastions and it was one of the first areas of Crete to be liberated from the Turks in 1825. Gramvousa is a protected biotope famous for 400 types of plants and 98 bird species, the 20 of them protected and the 14 threatened species. The caretta caretta turtle also find shelter in this area. On the peninsula lives a flok of wild donkeys as well. So these are only some of the reasons why you should visit the island.