Crete is Greece’s largest island. It is 280km long. So if you’ve only got a week’s vacation on the island, it’s best to concentrate on just one region, or risk spending a lot of time in transit. Here you can visit western Crete in a week.
Here is a suggested itinerary for visiting Western Crete:
- Day 1 : Chania
- Day 2: Akrotiri monasteries
- Day 3: Balos and Gramvoussa
- Day 4: Elafonissi
- Day 5 and 6 : Hiking in the gorges
- Day 7 : Rethymnon
Practical information for visiting West Crete
Here are just a few of the partners we use on a personal basis for our getaways, because they offer great rates and a good level of service. By using VivreAthènes, you’re giving us a little help to keep this site alive, at no extra cost to you.
- air travel: Aegean Airlines
- ferry: Ferry Hopper
- car rental : RentalCars
- bike rental in Rethymnon: Baja Bikes
- accommodation booking : Booking or Airbnb
- book your cab in Crete: WelcomePickUps
A day in Chania (Hania)
It’s unthinkable not to spend at least a day in Chania if you’re visiting western Crete. The town’s Venetian style and relaxed lifestyle will win you over. We have devoted a article because it’s a city that really deserves a visit. You can even choose to stay for a few days, as its location is central enough to allow you to explore the surrounding area.
Practical advice
- We recommend staying in the picturesque old town center. There’s plenty of individual accommodation on offer, as well as some very nice little hotels.
- All our in the following article .
A day on the monastery trail
From Chania, we highly recommend a day trip to the monasteries on the Akrotiri peninsula, east of Chania. You’ll discover a number of little wonders close to the airport.
Agia Triada (Holy Trinity)
A monastery founded in the 17th century by two Venetian monks who converted to Orthodoxy. Situated at the end of a cypress avenue, amidst olive groves, this orange-hued monastery is superb. Inside, a flower-filled courtyard, cats purring in the shade of lemon trees, a shady cloister and a beautiful three-domed church… It all adds up to an atmosphere full of tranquillity and solemnity. A small museum displays pretty icons and a few manuscripts.
Agios Governetou
Lost at the end of a winding road, this monastery is simple, just like the monk who welcomes you with some baklava. The beautifully proportioned square church was built in the 16th century. Inside, you’ll find a Madonna and Child.
Katolico Monastery
From the monastery of Agia Governetou, you can access a superb path that takes you straight to the sea (it takes 30-45min to descend). It first passes by the cave of Saint John the hermit, then descends into a gorge. This was the site of the Katolico monastery. Today, only a few ruins remain, but the site is incredible. Tucked away in a gorge, the monastery blends seamlessly into the wilderness. The chapels are nestled in troglodyte shelters, while a bridge spans the ravine. At the end of the path, you come to the sea.
Practical tips:
- The peninsula is poorly served by public transport, so you’ll have to get there by car.
- Bring a picnic and water, as there’s no on-site catering.
- Access to the sea allows you to swim at the end of the peninsula, so don’t forget your beach gear.
- For the walk to the Katolico monastery, don’t underestimate the time it takes to climb back up.
A day trip to Balos and the island of Gramvoussa
A visit to western Crete also means taking in some unique landscapes. The Balos lagoon and the island of Gramvoussa are a good example.
Situated in the extreme north-west of Crete, the island of Imeri Gramvoussa was a privileged location for observing ships. For this reason, a fortress was built in the 16th century by the Venetians. It can only be reached by sea, with cruise boats departing from Kastelli Kissamos.
A little further south, and accessible by land and sea alike, is the extraordinary Balos lagoon. It lies at the foot of Tigani Island. The blue waters and white sand are well worth a visit. The beach is located at the end of an 8km track and you have to walk another 2km to find the beach.
We recommend this excursion organized from Chania: day trip to Gramvoussa via Balos Bay. This one-day boat trip will take you along the fine white sands of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen.
Practical tips:
- There are no restaurants on the island of Gramvoussa, nor on Balos beach. So plan either a picnic or a stopover at Kastelli Kissamos.
- On the way, you can also stop off at Phalassarna beach. It’s a pleasant place to eat and drink.
A day in Elafonissi
If you’re coming from the north, we highly recommend the road overlooking the Topolia Gorge. Don’t hesitate to admire them by stopping off at the Agia Sofia cave. Not only does it offer splendid panoramic views, it’s also freely accessible and children love to play explorer.
The beach at Elafonissi is impressive. Again, white sand (almost pink in the light of the setting sun) and crystal-clear sea. Opposite, a small island can be reached on foot over the sand. However, the beach is very popular with tourists and beach umbrellas in summer. On the other hand, it can be extremely windy.
A little further on, and less touristy, is the small, wild beach of Kedrodassos.
We spotted this excursion from Chania: day trip to the island of Elafonisi. Affordably priced (and cancelable up to 24 hours in advance), this day trip to the small island of Elafonisi lets you soak up the sun on a pink sand beach and swim in the clear waters of a protected nature reserve.
Practical tips:
- In Elafonissi, you can enjoy a meal on site.
- There’s little shade and it’s very hot. The best time to enjoy the sea is at the end of the day.
- If you want to make a loop, you can return via the West Coast Road, which is superb at sunset.
Two days to discover the gorges
For hiking enthusiasts, visiting western Crete is a godsend and a fantastic playground. The more experienced will want to explore the famous Samaria Gorge. They’re spectacular, but you need to be a good hiker (16km) and organize your excursion a little, as it’s not easy to get there (cab, organized tour, bus). On the other hand, they are not open all year round, generally from May onwards. We recommend the West Crete website to prepare your hike, it’s very comprehensive. And if you’d like an organized day trip to the Samaria Gorge from Chania, here’s a link we think would be of interest. Find out more in our article on the Samaria Gorge.
But there are other gorges in Crete too. We did the Aradena gorge. They are more accessible and simpler. The Imbros Gorge also offer a beautiful 2.5-hour hike, with some spectacular passages. For the latter two, it may be worth staying at Hora Sfakion. We loved Loutro a good starting point for hikes to the Anapoli plateau.
Practical tips:
- Find out all you can before venturing into the gorge. Sometimes it’s easy to lower the throat, but not necessarily to raise it.
- Some gorges are accessible by boat (Samaria, Aradena), a good way of avoiding the car.
A day in Rethymnon
Less well-known than Chania, Rethymnon is well worth a visit. The old town is a fine example of a cultural melting pot. It retains the charm of Venetian towns, with its ochre tones, harbour, middle-class houses and impressive fortress. But the Turks also left their mark: mosques and wooden balconies.
Don’t miss a visit to the fortress and wander through the narrow streets. Before finishing your visit to the port.
Practical advice
- The streets are narrow, so leave your car in the outdoor parking lots if you have one. And take a ride bike around the city.
- Book a hotel in the old town to enjoy an evening in Rethymnon.
Sophie B.
Updated January 30, 2024
