One week in Crete

In June 2023, I went to Greece and more precisely to the island of Crete for a one-week road trip. I stayed 3 days in Chania, 1 day in Loutro and 3 days in Heraklion.

Cultural side

Crete is a Greek island, formerly called "Island of Candia".It is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth in the Mediterranean Sea in area. Crete is the cradle of the Minoan civilization of which Knossos is the heart and the most important archaeological site.

My route

My destinations 

Chania

Chania or Chaniá is a city in western Crete. It is the second largest city on the island with approximately 55,000 inhabitants in its city center and 108,000 inhabitants in its entire urban area. Chania is a very nice city to do, both day and night. It is a very lively city, full of beautiful little streets. You can also find a port with its lighthouse. Please count at least a good afternoon on site, see a day to go around the city.

Elafonisi Beach

Elafonísi is a Greek island, located in the Libyan Sea, southwest of Crete and very close to the shore. It depends on the regional district of Chania. In good weather, it is possible to walk to the island through the shallow, turquoise waters. This island is a protected nature reserve. What makes it famous are its pink sand beaches, created thanks to the deposits of pigmented micro-organisms, washed away by the tides and the waves. Depending on the season, the color of the sand may vary slightly in color.

I advise you to arrive early / mid-morning to enjoy the turquoise waters without too many people.

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery

A stone's throw from Elafonisi Beach is the monastery of Chrysoskalitissa, located in the south of the west coast of the island. It was built on a promontory dominating the sea just at its feet. The monastery is dedicated to the Dormition of the Virgin and to the Holy Trinity. If you like to visit places of worship or even museums, I strongly advise you to stop there. The view is also breathtaking.

To know: In Crete for most places of worship and religious, it is not accepted that women are dressed in short outfits. Don't be surprised if we lend you a long scarf or long skirt at the entrance to certain places like this.

Samaria Gorge

Not to be missed for hiking lovers!!

The Samaria Gorge is located in the west of the island of Crete, in the White Mountains massif. They are part of the national parks of Greece and have been recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO since 1981. At 16 kilometers long, they are among the longest gorges in Europe. On the European continent, only the Gorges du Verdon in France are longer than this one with 20 kilometers.

The Samaria Gorge is a must-see place in Crete for people who love to walk and discover new scenic landscapes. You should know that during the high summer season, more than four thousand people take this path daily. It's gorges are lined with vertical rock walls sometimes six hundred meters high.This trail is very well marked.

To carry out this hike, you will have to go to the place called “Xyloskalo” at 1,230 meters above sea level. Several car parks are located directly at this location. As for the return, you will have to take a boat (Agia Roumeli - Sougia) then a bus (Sougia - Xyloskalo).Tickets are sold directly in Agia Roumeli or on the Internet if you want to get them before. For our part, we bought on the spot, at the end of the hike the boat tickets and at the entrance of the hike the tickets for the bus. The boat service starts at 5:30 p.m. and buses leave as soon as the boats arrive. Count about 45min - 1h by boat then 1h by bus.

Chorà Sfakion

For our 4th day, we had to go to Loutro. For that, we had to take a boat to Chorà Sfakion. If you have the possibility, I advise you to do the same. Chorà Sfakion is not a very big city, but it is still very cute to visit, with its small ports. Attention, you will have very quickly made the turn, 1h is enough to make the turn.

Chóra Sfakíon or Sfakiá is a small town on the south coast of Crete. It is the capital of the mountainous region of Sfakiá and has only 278 inhabitants at the 2001 census. The town has two small ports, welcoming ferries from Agía Rouméli, Loutro and the island of Gavdos.

Loutró

My favorite on the island!

Loutró is a village established on the southern coast of the regional district of Chania in western Crete, between Chóra Sfakíon and Agía Rouméli. Loutró takes its name from a Greek word meaning "bath" because of the baths that were there, whose water came from the locality of Anopolis located above. It formerly served as a wintering port for the Chora Sfakion fleet. It is located on the site of the ancient city of Phoenix.

During our stay, we stayed one night in Loutró. I advise you to stay there at least 2 nights to make the most of this incredible little village. If you like a change of scenery and calm, you will surely fall in love with Loutró. There are not many hotels there, due to the size of the village. For our part, we stayed at the hôtel Daskalogiannis, which I recommend!

Good to know: Loutró is only accessible by boat. To get there, you will need to take a boat from Chóra Sfakíon and leave your car there.

Sweet water beach

If you are passing through Loutró or Chóra Sfakíon, make a short stop at the "Sweet water beach". It is accessible by boat from Chóra Sfakíon or on foot from Loutró, via a hiking path along the coast. For our part, we went to this beach via the Loutró path at the end of the evening. Count about 40min walk.

Holy Monastery of Prelevi

Mátala

Mátala is a Greek seaside resort located in southern Crete, near the site of Phaistos. The site was already populated in Neolithic times. In this period, artificial caves were dug in the cliff of Mátala Bay, called "The Hippie Caves". Indeed, the caves served as hideouts for hippies in the 1960s. I advise you to visit them. It's not very big but very nice to see and visit.

During the Minoan period, Mátala was the port of the city of Phaistos. Subsequently, Mátala became a fishing village.

Héraklion

Heraklion or Iráklio is a Greek city located on the north coast, in the center of the island of Crete. It is the capital of the deme of Heraklion, of the regional district of Heraklion, and the capital of the periphery of Crete. Heraklion is a big city, with a dense population. This one has its little charm, but completely different from the destinations developed above and below. For our part, it is the city that we liked the least, but it is still a must see!

Knossos

Knossos is an archaeological site located very close to Heraklion, in Crete. The site was a major center of Minoan civilization and is known for its association with the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. It is located on the outskirts of Heraklion.

Réthymnon

Rethymno is a rather large city, where you can find many shops on both sides of the city center. During your visit to Réthymno do not hesitate to visit the Fortezza of Réthymno. As for the meal, I recommend the restaurant "Castelo Rethymno" recommended to the smart little one and really delicious!

Melodini Cave

Melidoni Cave is a cave north of the village of Melidoni in the municipality of Mylopotamos.The cave is of archaeological and historical importance, particularly due to the events of the Greek War of Independence.

My top 3 

1. Loutró

2. Samaria Gorge

3. Mátala