Gramvousa and Balos are two of the most famous beaches in Crete, but they require planning. You can either take a boat from Kissamos port (the easiest option) or drive down a long, rough road followed by a steep hike. Both options book up or get crowded fast, so please look into transportation and tickets ahead of time — this isn’t a day-of, last-minute type of activity. The views are unreal and absolutely worth it.

Elafonissi is Ricky's favorite beach! It can be a bit of a trek (the drive is a little long), but truly worth every minute once you arrive. The pink-tinted sand and shallow turquoise water make it one of the most unique beaches in the world. If you want to avoid crowds, going in the middle of the day (around 2 pm) and staying through sunset is actually perfect.

Falasarna is a huge, beautiful beach with crystal-clear water and plenty of beach bars and organized sunbed areas. It’s very easy to spend the whole day there. Our favorite spot is Liokalyvo, the first beach bar you’ll see. This is one of the most relaxing, straightforward beach options near our area.

The Old Venetian Port of Chania is one of the most beautiful places to wander. Stroll along the waterfront, explore the little shops, and enjoy the views of the lighthouse and the colorful buildings. It’s the perfect spot to grab a bite, have a drink by the sea, or pick up an ice cream and just walk around. It’s simple, charming, and a must-see while you’re here.

We (my sisters and I) did the Samaria Gorge hike, and honestly, it’s one of the most memorable experiences we’ve had.

The hike takes about 5–7 hours, depending on pace and breaks. You walk through mountains, forests, narrow cliff passages (famous “Gates”), rivers, and streams along the path, and eventually arrive at a seaside village where you can swim and relax in the sea or grab lunch.

If you like hiking, nature, and a bit of adventure, we highly recommend doing the Samaria Gorge. It’s absolutely worth it, and ends with a beach reward that makes the effort totally worthwhile!

Moni Tsagarolon sits about 15 km from Chania, on the Akrotiri peninsula near Stavros Mountain (so close to our venue and from where most of you will be staying).

It is an impressive 17th-century monastery built by the Venetian-Cretan Tzagarolon brothers and stands as one of Crete’s finest examples of Renaissance-Venetian influenced religious architecture. Inside you’ll find a serene courtyard, a stunning domed church of the Holy Trinity, and a small museum filled with historical icons, religious artifacts, and manuscripts.

Moni Tsagarolon also produces organic olive oil, wine, honey, and other traditional goods. They have a cellar and a shop you can visit for locally made products!

We also highly recommend a visit to Gramvousa Restaurant, a traditional spot tucked inside a tiny village with real farmhouse charm.

It’s the perfect place to stop for dinner on your way back from Falasarna Beach or Gramvousa/Balos, especially after a long beach day. The food is classic Cretan comfort: slow-cooked meats, fresh vegetables, baked local cheeses, and incredible homemade dishes that taste like someone’s yiayia made them. Everything is simple, delicious, and straight from the land.

Oinohoos is a perfect stop on the drive back from Elafonisi — a small, traditional taverna serving some of the best food we’ve had in Crete. If they have any type of lamb on the menu, you should absolutely get it!! We also loved the stuffed tomatoes and the pastitsio, both homemade and absolutely delicious.

We spent an evening at Zamana. It’s part of a hotel-beach chain, and we came for drinks, and it was a fun, house music-playing vibe. They mentioned they’re doing a big renovation to make it even cooler by summer 2026, so if you’re looking for a true beach-club atmosphere, this could be a great pick for you.

The Archaeological Museum of Chania is such a cool spot if you want a little history in your trip. It’s small, super accessible, and really beautifully done. You can walk through in under an hour and still feel like you got a real taste of Crete’s past. If you love museums (or just want something low-key to do in town), it’s definitely worth a stop.