Hannah & Brandon
Crete Things To Do
Beaches
NEAR KALYVES/CHANIA 1) Kalyves Beach – right in town and perfect for a relaxed swim or sunset stroll 2) Almyrida Beach – a charming spot just 10 minutes from Kalyves with calm turquoise waters and great tavernas 3) Loutraki Beach – crystal-clear waters and a stylish beach bar in a scenic cove 4) Marathi Beach – peaceful and wind-sheltered, with top-notch seaside tavernas 5) Kalami Beach – quiet, hidden gem ideal for those seeking a more secluded spot ALL AROUND CRETE 1) Elafonissi (Pink Sand) Beach – it’s 1.5 hours from the center of Chania but the drive is worth it because they have little bodegas set up along the route selling local products 2) Limeni Beach (you can see plenty of goats here and you can feed them water) 3) Falassarna Beach 4) Paralia Glaros / Paralia Agii Apostoli 5) Preveli Beach/Lake - you can visit the Palm Forest here
Food
In or Near Chania 1) Ta Xalkina – Traditional Cretan music and food at the harbor. 2) To Xani – Cozy Old Town spot with classic Greek dishes. 3) Ela – Romantic garden dining in a Venetian building. 4) Bougatsa Iordanis – Famous bakery for bougatsa, loved by Gordon Ramsay. 5) Koukouvaya – Café with panoramic sunset views and decadent desserts. 6) Carte Postale – Trendy lunch café overlooking Chania. 7) Thraka – Casual, tasty gyros and souvlaki. 8) Patrelanotis – Beachside restaurant near Loutraki Beach. 9) Manousakis Winery – Winery just outside Chania with tastings. 10) Tamam – Popular spot blending Cretan and Middle Eastern flavors. In or Near Kalyves 1) Il Forno – Italian pizzeria by the sea. 2) Provlita – Classic seafood taverna. 3) Kritiko Steki – Rustic grill house with traditional meats. 4) Mythos Taverna – Family-style affordable Greek food. 5) Koumos – Unique stone-built restaurant with live music. Greater Crete Stis Annas – In Eastern Crete (Sitia)
Outdoor Activities
1) Walk down the streets of Old Town Chania near the port 2) Walk to Chania Lighthouse in the Old Town Port 3) Hike the Kourtaliotiko Gorge (you will see amazing waterfalls here - it's also really close to Preveli beach) 4) Hike Samaria Gorge (think of the narrows but a little less water and a beach at the end) 5) Drive to Balos beach (this can be a bit rough, but doable if you take it slow. There is about a 20 min drive on unpaved/dirt roads at the end and then you have to hike 25 to 30 minutes down to the beach.) 6) If you want to see Balos Beach but don't want to do the drive, there is a boat tour through "CHRISSI DAILY CRUISES" for $31 that leaves from Kissamos, which is about a 40 min drive west of Chania 7) Manos Cruises - Ferryman boat or Chania Boat Trips - Glass Bottom Boat | Catamaran (if you walk around old town - there are a bunch of boat tours that you can book on the spot)
Museums & Historic Sites
1) Knossos - The palace of Knossos was the centre of Europe’s first civilization and is the largest Bronze Age site in the country. It is unquestionably the standout archaeological site in Crete. 2) Heraklion Archaeological Museum - At the archaeological museum in Crete’s largest city of Heraklion, you’ll see one of the world’s most important exhibits of prehistoric art and a magnificent showcase of Minoan culture. 3) Gortyna - The Greco-Roman site of Gortyn is located in the lush Messara Valley. Appearing in Homeric poems, Gortyna or ‘Gortyn’ was an ancient settlement originally founded in approximately 3000 BC, during the Neolithic era. Here were the oldest and most complete example of coded ancient Greek laws ever found. More ancient and archaeological sites ...Phaestos, Agia Triada, Palace of Malia, Gournia, Palace of Zakros, Aptera, Lato