6 picturesque and must go places in Crete Island: easy to reach from Chania
If you love unique beaches, amazing seafood, colorful streets, and genuine people, make sure you visit Crete Island! Here are 6 must visit places in Crete Island that are picturesque and easy to reach from Chania, including one of the world’s most beautiful pink sand beaches – Elafonisi.
Crete has more than just one pink sand beach. So far, I have seen three, and Balos Beach is one of them. It is also one of the most beautiful remote beaches in the world.
Located in Kissamos, the wide white sands, crystal clear blue water, PINK SAND, and adventurous driving and hiking paths make Balos Beach a very special remote beach. There is no doubt that Balos Beach is a must-visit beach on Crete Island.
2. Elafonisi Beach, Crete Island
Located in the southwestern part of Crete Island, Elafonisi Beach is known for its unique PINK SAND, beautiful landscape, turquoise and shallow water, and has been voted by travelers as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, attracting a great number of tourists every year.
When you visit Elafonisi Beach, you can see many layers of colors, from white sand to pink to crystal clear blue, and even to slightly darker ocean colors. It is like a dream when you look at it.
Another great part of Elafonisi Beach is that the water from the Cretan side to the islet of Elafonisi is shallow. I am 152 cm tall, and there is a path where the water does not even reach my knees. This makes it very easy to walk to the islet of Elafonisi side and enjoy quieter spots and even more stunning views.
3. Kedrodasos Beach, Crete Island
Located just an 8-minute drive from Elafonisi Beach, Kedrodasos Beach is a beautiful secluded, naturist beach with crystal-clear waters, sand dunes, juniper trees, waves, and even some pink sand! It’s a must-visit place on Crete Island for those who love quieter beaches, hiking, being in nature, and experiencing the freedom of being nude at the beach.
To reach the actual beach, you’ll need to hike a bit after parking your car. The hike takes approximately 15 minutes, and it’s an easy walk.
4. Chania Old Town, Crete Island
Chania is the second-largest city on Crete Island, located on the northwest side, and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with its colorful streets. The city has a very artistic and vintage vibe that I absolutely adore.
What I particularly love about Chania are the vibrant colors of the houses, the seafront restaurants, the clear blue water, the street artists, the aesthetic cafes, and the shops. Before it gets too hot, you can also catch a magical view of the snow on White Mountain. I saw it in May, and I couldn’t believe I was in Greece. It was so dreamy and beautiful.
Take a walk in Chania Old Town through the colorful, cobbled, narrow streets and head towards the Old Venetian Port of Chania for a stunning sea view. You’ll feel like you’re traveling in a fairytale story.
Exact Location of Chania Old Town: Click HERE
5. Loutro, Crete Island
Loutro, located on the south coast of Crete, is a picturesque and peaceful fishing village that immediately captured my heart. With its crystal-clear waters, charming Greek-style white houses, and serene atmosphere, it exudes simplicity, brightness, and positive energy.
Despite its small size, Loutro offers a variety of activities to enjoy. You can take a scenic hike to Sweet Water Beach, or simply relax, swim or snorkelling in the mesmerising blue waters. Even daydreaming in Loutro feels like heaven. Plus, there are plenty of seaside hotels and restaurants that offer breathtaking ocean views, making dining and sleeping an unforgettable experience.
6. Sweet Water Beach, Crete Island
Sweet Water Beach, also known as Glyka Nera beach, is a secluded gem where natural mountain spring water meets the sea. Located between Loutro (closer) and Hora Sfakion, this unique beach can only be accessed by boat or an adventurous hike. It serves as a perfect resting and swimming spot if you’re hiking.
What makes Sweet Water Beach truly fascinating is the drinkable spring water that flows under the pebbles. You’ll need to dig a bit to find it, but the pure, sweet, and clean taste of the spring water is worth it. Don’t forget to bring a water bottle to collect some of this refreshing drink during your visit.
Other questions about Crete Island, Grece
How to get to Crete Island internationally?
Crete Island has two international airports – Chania International Airport and Heraklion International Airport. You can easily find cheap flights to both cities from Skyscanner.
Alternatively, you can fly to Athens first and spend a few days exploring the city (ideally 2-3 days) before taking a flight or ferry to Crete from Athens.
How to get to Crete Island from Athens?
Athens is an excellent starting point for your Greek Island hopping trips, as there are many ferries and flights operating daily to take you to various Greek Islands. Surprisingly, Athens has many interesting things to see, including some aesthetic and artistic places that will make you fall in love with the city. I would recommend spending 2-3 days in Athens while exploring the Greek Islands.
If you’re going to Crete Island from Athens, here are two ways:
Athens to Crete Island by flight
There are three airports in Crete Island that you can fly to domestically from Athens International Airport: Crete Chania Airport, Crete Heraklion Airport, and Crete Sitia Airport.
The flight time is approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour, and flights operate regularly. To find affordable flights to Crete, you can check Skyscanner.
Athens to Crete Island by ferry
Another option to travel to island Crete is by ferry (boat).
There are ferries that operate daily from the port of Athens (Piraeus) to two ports in Crete – Chania and Heraklion. Some days, routes to Sitia and Kissamos are also available.
The travel time by ferry varies from 7.5 to 11 hours depending on the port of arrival.
One advantage of taking the ferry to Crete from Athens is that some ferry companies offer night ferries, allowing you to board at around 10 pm and arrive around 6 am. This means you can sleep on the ferry and arrive in Crete without losing a day to transportation. Most ferries have cabins and more comfortable seating options that you can book, such as the air VIP seats on Minoan Lines.
You can check the rates and availability of ferry tickets to Crete and other islands here.
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