What to Do in Western Crete: My Local Guide After 10 Years of Visiting
10 Years of Sunsets, Sea, and Slow Living
There are places you visit once and never forget—then there are places that call you back again and again. For me, that place is Chania in Western Crete.
I’ve spent nearly eight months (total) coming back and forth over the last ten years, and no matter the season or reason whether solo, with friends, running a guesthouse, or hosting group trips—this corner of Greece keeps finding new ways to surprise and restore me.
Why Western Crete?
It’s the kind of place that wraps you in welcome. The mix of mountains and sea, ancient cobblestones and farm-to-table simplicity, makes it feel alive with beauty and warmth. Add to that the hospitality of the people, the depth of the history, and the food (oh, the food), and it’s no wonder I keep coming back.
My first summer here was ten years ago, helping start a guesthouse ministry with a Greek-American family. I didn’t know then that I’d fall in love with the land, the pace, and the people and return year after year.
Where to Stay in Chania, Crete
🏤 Chania Town (Walkable & Historic)
Staying in Old Town Chania is perfect if you don’t want to rent a car. You can walk to cafes, restaurants, church, shops, and hop on the KTEL bus to beaches and nearby towns. It’s also got one of the most charming harbors in Greece—sunset by the lighthouse is a must-see.
🌴 Akrotiri Peninsula (Quiet & Sea-side)
If you want seaside views and more of a village life experience, stay on the Akrotiri, the peninsula just outside of Chania. You’ll need a car, but you’re only 20–30 minutes from town and close to some of the areas best beaches like Kalathas, Marathi (my personal fav), Tersanas, and Stavros—plus the airport is nearby. I love this area when I want to unwind without being far from anything.
What to Do in Chania (Beyond the Guidebooks)
☕ Grab a freddo espresso at Monogram (the 1866 Square location is perfect for remote work) or Kross Coffee Roasters
🍽 Dine at Thrombi, Steki, or Chrisostomos—authentic, cozy, and worth every bite
🎶 Catch live music and meze at Ta Xalkina (especially when there’s traditional Cretan music)
🌅 Watch the sunset with a drink at Chania Sailing Club or drive up to Koukouvaya for dessert and panoramic views
🧿 Walk the alleys of Old Town without a plan—sometimes that’s where the best conversations and surprises happen
For connection with local believers, Anamnisi Church is one of my favorite places to serve and gather.
Beaches in crete I Love (And When to Go)
Elafonissi – Recently rated Trip Advisor’s #1 Beach in the World for 2025, it really is a beautiful beach. Get there early to beat the crowds and catch the subtle pink hues of sand (they are not as bright, saturated pink as the photos make them out to be).
Seitan Limani – Small but stunning and unique. Early mornings are best here too (before 10a).
Balos – The journey is part of the experience. Rugged, beautiful, and postcard-worthy. (Read More in How to Get to Balos Lagoon)
Loutro – Only accessible by boat or foot = peace. Stay a night or two if you need to unplug.
Preveli Beach – Unique for its palm forest and river-meets-sea landscape.
Marathi – My go-to. Close to town, clear water, mountain views, and a café with shade and Wi-Fi for days when you need a balance of beach and work.
You can find more places in the blog, Top Sights and Hidden Gems of Crete)
Hidden Adventures in Crete
Samaria Gorge - it’s the longest gorge in Europe and the one-way hike is six hours downhill if your knees are into that kind of intensity. It’s stunning (I hear, I’ve yet to do it but it’s on my list).
Kourtaliotiko Gorge & Waterfall– A beautiful drive. You can hike it down to Prevali Beach or do a partial hike. The hike down to the waterfall is only 15-20 minutes (warning: the water is frigid!).
Avlaki Gorge – A doable hike from the Catholic monastery on Akrotiri with a hidden beach and cave swim at the end.
Stavros Beach Cave – A lesser-known sunset spot that left me speechless.
Lake Kournas – Paddle boats and lakeside tavernas make for a refreshing detour between Chania and Rethymno.
The Pace of Crete (And Why You’ll Love It)
One of the most beautiful things about Cretan culture is its slowness. Meals take hours. Conversations matter more than clocks. You may wait forever for the check—but that’s because you’re meant to linger.
Even when you ask for the bill, they’ll bring you dessert and raki first—on the house. Then, you ask again. It’s not bad service. It’s a gift.
Food to Try in Crete (No Notes—Just Order)
Dakos (Cretan bruschetta)
Kolokithokeftedes (zucchini fritters)
Gemista (stuffed vegetables)
Saganaki (fried cheese)
Myzithra + Graviera cheeses
Gyros
Greek salad (horiatiki—no lettuce!)
And of course: freddo espresso
Bonus: You’ll likely be gifted dessert and raki at the end of most meals. Accept both.
🚗 How to Get Around
🚗 Rent a Car (if you’re wanting to see more in a short time)
Stories That Stay With Me
I’ve been invited into homes, fed snails (which, yes, were delicious), and watched neighbors bring us wheelbarrows full of watermelons just because they had extra. That’s the kind of place Crete is.
Once, we were hosted in the middle of an orange grove by a man who’d fed his snails spaghetti noodles for two weeks to clean them out before cooking them. It’s weird. It’s wonderful. It’s real.
Final Thoughts
If it’s your first time in Western Crete, don’t try to do everything. Instead:
Walk the Venentian harbor in Chania at sunset
Get to the beach early
Learn a few Greek phrases
Connect with the locals
Savor your meal (and your life)
Crete has a way of reminding you who you are and what actually matters. I feel more myself here than almost anywhere else in the world.
And I’ll keep coming back—again and again.