Crete - Chania Area
The largest island in Greece, Crete is a feast for the senses: wild natural beauty and thousands of years of culture, history and exquisite cuisine.
On Crete, you’ll find some of the most significant attractions in Greece: famous archaeological sites such as the Minoan palaces of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Kato Zakros. You’ll also visit important monasteries, some built in the 15th century or even earlier, including the Preveli Monastery in southern Rethymno.
A paradise for thrill-seekers, hikers and nature lovers
Crete is the ideal destination for all kinds of sports and activities in nature. For canyoning and hiking, the gorges offer unparalleled beauty. The largest and most famous is Samaria, with its world-renowned Portes (Iron Gates). Other noteworthy canyons are Amba, Tripiti, Kourtaliotiko, Kamaraiko (the longest), Ha (the so-called ‘king of Cretan gorges’), and Ethias and Eligas. You’ll hike across these landscapes of sublime beauty and diversity and, for off-road and 4x4, you’ll zig and zag along Crete’s dirt roads. Meanwhile, the cosmopolitan resorts in both the north and south of the island are ideal for water sports and scuba diving.
Chania is a riveting city full of intriguing contradictions and breadth of beauty. The architecture is a combination of archaeological, Venetian and modern buildings and it will win you over straight away. The captivating old Venetian harbour lines the coast of the town, adding romance to your walks up and down the promenade. The famous Egyptian lighthouse, which is located at the far end of the harbour, offers an endless vista of blue and is one of the most iconic spots to soak in the rich sunset. With numerous tavernas, restaurants, bars, shops and stores, the town is buzzing with life day and night. Greek gastronomy enthusiasts should also pay a visit to the Municipal Market of Chania, also known as Agora where you can find all sorts of local products and Cretan delicacies.
Imagine endless stretches of sandy beaches with crystal clear blue and turquoise waters extending all along Crete’s northern coast, from Platanias Village itself westwards right along the neighbouring villages.
The most iconic and most photographed beaches in the area, in fact the whole of Crete, renowned for their exotic beauty and majestic natural environment, are the heavenly lagoons of Balos at Gramvousa peninsula and Elafonissi, also at the southwestern edge of the island. Between them, lies the virgin beach of ancient Falassarna. And if you’re looking for seclusion, try the secret paradise of Kedrodasos and White Lake near Elafonissi and the African seascapes of Agiannis and Lavrakas on Gavdos island.
Rethymno town is a rare combination of history and modern-day luxury, with its Venetian-era Fortezza and old town, tropical beaches and exquisite Cretan cuisine.
The Fortezza (fortress) sits atop Rethymno’s magical old town like a crown. It’s like travelling back in time, to the period of the Venetians. You’ll climb to the fortress and hear the echoes of the sea. You’ll walk along the Venetian port with its old lighthouse and get lost in the maze of alleyways, admiring the ornate doorways and the Venetian crests that decorate them. You’ll visit the mosques with their minarets and hop between the dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes. And to the east, the longest beach in Crete (12km) awaits you.
The southern coast of Rethymno hosts some of the most beautiful, untouched exotic beaches of Crete. At Agios Pavlos, huge sand-hills descend steeply and vanish into the sea, forming a beach, where one may sense the most positive vibrations of the island. On the adjacent beaches of Ligres and Pahia Ammos by Kerames the scenery remains mysterious. However, the most brilliant turquoise waters in Rethymnon are found on the beaches of Skinaria, Ammoudi and Damnoni, all located near Plakias.
THINGS TO DO & SEE
Rethymno
Chania
Samaria Gorge
In a Nutshell
Western Crete is home to the attractive towns of Chania and Rethymno..
Getting Here
Fly to Chania - Approx. 60-90min transfer time to resort
Direct flights from London Heathrow with British Airways
Daily Direct flights from London Gatwick with Aegean
Daily Direct flights from London Gatwick with Easyjet
Direct flights from Manchester with Easyjet
Direct flights from Stansted with Jet2
Direct flights from Manchester with Jet2
Direct flights from Birmingham with Jet2
Direct flights from Leeds Bradford with Jet2
Our location maps are intended as a helpful guide but are by no means definitive.
OUR 24 CRETE - CHANIA AREA PROPERTIES
Poised above the Aegean Sea, SK Place Crete Luxury Seafront Villas offer plenty of life's luxuries combined with breath-taking panoramic sea and mountain scenery of the White Mountains. The magical location of this resort in West Crete is where ...
More InformationSituated on the beautiful north-west coast of Crete in the village of Agios Georgios near the small town of Kissamos, the newly built Youphoria villas have been designed with luxury holiday living in mind and have many innovative architectural and ...
More InformationAZADE is an iconic building dating back to 1400 that has been carefully restored and transformed into a luxury boutique Hotel consisting of 9 Residences & Suites. Enjoying a fantastic location in the heart of the old town, close to the ...
More InformationHoliways offers a selection of quality villas throughout the Chania area of Crete and ensures unique holiday experience.
Fe3aturing a big variety of all types of villas with luxurious hotel services. When you stay at one of the Holiways Luxury ...
More InformationOlea Villas is a small luxury villa estate complete with its own olive grove located in the tranquil Loutraki Bay near the picturesque town of Chania. Immersed in an air of tranquillity, Olea Villas is a contemporary estate of two properties with a ...
More InformationConsolato Boutique Hotel is located in Theotokopoulou Street in Old Town for Chania. In a family owned 16th century building restored to luxury and classic elements of another er, Consolato boutique offers elegant suites and rooms right by the ...
More InformationThe Theodore Boutique Hotel is located along the main coastal road of the vibrant and lively village of Agia Marina, 7 km West of the city of Chania. A prime beachfront location with endless views of the blue waters of the Cretan sea and stunning ...
More InformationThe brand new Mossa well being Hotel, built in a wonderful natural environment at Agii Apostoli, next to the sea and just 5 km from the city of Chania, is waiting to lead you to unique well being experiences.
The Hotel features 19 spacious, ...
More InformationFileas Art Hotel is housed in a three-storey building, and comprises six modern Double Rooms, offering all modern comforts and amenities. This exclusive boutique hotel is ideal for couples, as well as for group of friends or families. All three ...
More InformationHotel Kriti is centrally located in Chania, at the meeting point of the famous old Venetian harbour and the commercial centre of the city.
The 84 elegant, newly refurbished rooms are equipped with free wired and wireless internet access, air ...
More InformationWelcome to Alcanea, a boutique Hotel in the Old Town of Chania on the beautiful island of Crete in the southern Aegean.
Designed for travellers who wish to experience the authentic spirit of an ancient town in an environment that offers peace and ...
More InformationSanSal is a new boutique hotel located in Chania, a spectacular location on the northwest coast of the island of Crete. Modern, minimalistic yet luxurious, the hotel is nestled just a block away from San Salvador Bastion, part of a landmark deeply ...
More InformationAmbassadors Residence is located along the quay of the 700-year-old Venetian port of Chania and grants a sense of modern comfort and luxury to this historic, neoclassical building from the 1890s. The building was the private residence of German ...
More InformationVranas Residenza is a carefully restored historical building with panoramic view to the Old Venetian Port. It is located in the centre of the Old Town of Chania in Zampeliou Street.
It consists of 4 stylish and luxurious suites all having ...
More InformationSerenissima Boutique Hotel is committed to offer all guests a calm and luxurious environment in the heart of the charming Old City of Chania and is within walking distance to all of the major attractions.
The building itself is a monument that ...
More InformationDomus Renier Boutique Hotel is a small yet impressive luxury boutique hotel in Chania, Crete. It consists of 9 rooms and suites, all different from one another, most with a sea view of Chania harbour and the Egyptian Lighthouse. All rooms and suites ...
More InformationThe Scala de Faro hotel is a part of a historical building that goes back to the 15th Century. In the year of 2017, it was fully renovated and brought to you the way you see it today, infused with the sense of luxury and style. The most demanding ...
More InformationOn the northwest shoreline of Crete, in the bay of Almyros near the picturesque fishing village of Georgioupolis, halfway between Chania and Rethymno amongst scenery of unparalleled beauty, and near settlements that retain traditional Cretan ...
More InformationNestled on a serene sandy beach on the west coast of Crete in Pyrgos Psilonerou and blessed with incredible views over the sparkling blue Aegean Sea and Saint Theodore Island's nature reserve, to describe Asterion Suites & Spa as a true piece of ...
More InformationOriginally the mansion / castle of a Venetian nobleman in the 16th century, has been subsequently occupied by a Turkish Aga, a senior ranking official of the Ottoman Empire, and his harem until the unification of Crete with Greece in 1913.
It is ...
More InformationWelcome to an immersive resort experience. Just 15 minutes of a drive from Chania, here you can have it all. Dedicated to the pleasure of your senses, Isla Brown Chania features extraordinary in-house spa services and a whole set of restaurants ...
More InformationWelcome to Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort that encapsulates the essence of 'Ef Zeen' - the art of Living Well in a captivating destination.
Located along the pristine coastline of Crete, our resort offers a sanctuary for ...
More InformationDiscover the epitome of luxury at Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection, an exquisite adults-only resort on the captivating island of Crete.
Immerse yourself in an ambiance that seamlessly blends exceptional luxury services with a vibrant and ...
More InformationAnemos Luxury Grand Resort is a 5-star Luxury Suites and Spa Hotel located next to the village of Georgioupolis close to Chania at the northwestern part of the island of Crete, with a magnificent view of Lefka Ori and overlooking the Cretan ...
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