Chania is the picturesque and beautiful city in Western Crete, the spiritual capital of the island according to many.

Charming and alluring, one of the most captivating and romantic cities in Greece, full of monuments with history in every corner.

It is located 10 minutes away from the airport of Chania and the port of Chania, located in the bay of Souda.

Chania is the second largest city in Crete, the second most populous after Heraklion. It is divided into two large parts, each of which carries an important part of the history and development of the city: the modern new city, which is the commercial and business center of the prefecture, the Old Town, the most beautiful part of Chania built around the Venetian harbor.

The old town in Chania enchants visitors with its narrow streets and beautiful architecture, which reveals the effects of foreign conquerors from previous centuries.

It stretches behind the Venetian harbor, offering a wonderful spot for strolls and romantic dinners to visitors and locals alike. The Venetian harbor is the most important and famous attraction of the island and clearly the most photographed spot of Chania.

Kournas Village is 8 km from Georgioupolis and 4 km from the lake of Kournas. While the area and near Lake Kournas there is a great interest from tourists due to the lake and its facilities, the village remains completely unaffected by the interventions of tourism and retains its traditional elements like many villages in the interior of Crete.

In the village, there are traditional taverns and cafes as well as traditional markets for daily shopping and souvenirs. For those seeking more facilities, they can visit the nearby Georgioupolis area. The village was built during the time of the Venetians, with traditional alleys and houses showing to be unaffected by time. Here is also the Byzantine church of Agios Georgios which has architectural elements that were added during the Venetian period. In the village there is also a small Amphitheatre which hosts various events that take place in the village. On August 29 every year, there is a great feast celebration that takes place here in honor of St. John. Between Kournas Lake and the village there is the cave of Kournas with many stalactites and stalagmites in a depth of only 35 meters.

In a magical landscape with olive groves and high mountains about 40 kilometers east of Chania, we find the Lake of Kournas. This is the only natural lake in Crete where in ancient texts it is referred to as Korisia while it is believed that nearby was the sanctuary of Athena Korisia.

The lake is created by the accumulation of underground water that comes down from the White Mountains and from the source Amati where it surfaces the lake during the summer. The shape of the lake is circular and has an area of 579 hectares, a maximum depth of 22.5 meters and a maximum width of 880 meters. The lake of Kournas runs into the sea via the river Delphina.

The Old Town of Rethymnon is one of the most beautiful attractions for the visitor to Crete, who has the opportunity to wander into the past. The city, with its picturesque alleys and beautiful monuments, preserves in its entirety the urban fabric, as it was formed during the Venetian and Turkish occupations. In contrast to Heraklion and Chania, in Rethymno the Greek Renaissance character prevails, as most of the nobles were Greeks, the so-called “Roman Archons”.

Near the old town with its picturesque alleys with gardens and perfumes, the visitor deserves to visit the largest fortress in Crete, the majestic fortress of Fortezza. Also other attractions are the small Venetian harbor with the lighthouse, the Venetian Loggia, the Rimondi Fountain, the Municipal Garden, the Lady of the Angels, the Historical Museum of Rethymnon, the Neranje Mosque, the Church of St. Francis, the Great Gate, the mosque of Kara Moussa Pasha and the Venetian mansions of Arkadiou Street. Finally, the visitor can enjoy swimming on the endless beach of Rethymno which starts east of the port.

Samaria Gorge classified as a national park is one of the most spectacular natural parks in Europe. It is situated on the west side of Crete and its 18km walk.

By bus, we reach Omalos plateau, almost in the middle of the White Mountains, and starting from Xyloskalo going down the Samaria gorge. The wild and unspoilt scenery and flora that you will see along the way is unrivalled anywhere in Crete.

Walking through the gorge is an experience that visitors always enjoy. If you are lucky, you might see a kri-kri, the native Cretan goat. The flora is extensive ranging from high trees to flowers and herbs. After a walking of 5-6 hours, we reach Agia Roumeli, the point where the gorge ends. Agia Roumeli becomes a place where you get some refreshments or eat something.

In the afternoon, the ferry takes us along the scenic south coast to the port of Chora Sfakion or Sougia port where we start our return.

In Chania of Crete in the North and West side of Chania you will find the exotic beach of Balos. You can reach Balos by your car and walking or by the daily cruise ship that begins every day from Kissamos port.

Balos is known for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. During the summer, Balos is visited by thousands of people. If you wish to avoid the crowd don’t visit Balos during July or August. The perfect hours for visiting are early in the morning or late in the evening.

In the southern side of Crete island, you will find a magical place full of white and pink sand, an area called Elafonisi. If you decide to do your vacation in Crete, be sure that Elafonisi will be among the places worth visiting.

Although Elafonisi in Greek means “the island of deer”, you will not see not even one deer walking around. The area of Elafonisi is included in the Natura 2000 Protection Program because of its exceptional natural beauty.

Elafonisi has thousands of visitors every summer and the best period of visiting is May, June or September if you wish to avoid the crowd. In the area around the beach there are some tavernas.

Driving one km west of Elafonisos you will find a beach full of cedars, the Kedrodasos (Cedar forest). The trees are very fragile and require care from holidaymakers as this area is protected by Natura 2000.

The beach is secluded and is not organized and is considered as one of the last paradises in Europe.