top of page

The island of Crete

An island at the edge of Europe, Africa and the East

 

despite the hordes of tourists that it sees through the summer, once known as the island of the gods remains wild, surprisingly and quiet at several locations.

 

Majestic summits covered with snow (at least until June) which are going until the beautiful natural beaches virtually deserted through deep gorges, the valleys of olive groves and the small villages somnolants, this island is both beautiful and surprising.

 

Located in the Mediterranean Sea and swept by the winds coming from nearby Africa, she enjoys 360 days of sunshine a year.

 

This island is Crete!  Crete is the largest island of Greece, the most mountainous and probably the most unusual of all the Greek archipelago.

An island which is at the origin of the Minoan civilization (the first great European civilisation). An island where the inhabitants are first Cretan before even to be Greek. An island where people seem to live more...


 

Chania the beautiful Venetian

 

Always the first thing you hear about Chania - the Venetian Harbour, the old port, the narrow shopping streets and waterfront restaurants.


Chania is also one of the two places you are most likely to see on arriving in Crete.

 

It is beautiful - that is to say much of the Chania you will want to see is clustered close to the harbour - old buildings, museums, churches and crafts shops (some with genuinely interesting and sometimes local, products on offer).


Food is offered in great variety and sometimes great similarity - there are many restaurants and also cafes, at which to reflect upon the experiences of places you have just explored together with the enjoyment of some tasty food - we have suggestions for restaurants further on.


The atmosphere has a touch of Florence and Venice (a few years ago when those cities still had some room to walk), combined with the culture and character of Cretan people and traditions.


The Chania harbour is wonderful and at any particular time of day the light produces a different result, creating a "different place".


This is the best chance to see some of the old buildings - of Venetian and Turkish design, that Crete once had across the island - many have since been destroyed by the ravages of war and plunder.


Chania is surrounded by numerous rich options for sightseeing, exploration and discovery.

 

Mountain villages provide a view into the "inner Crete".

 

The Samaria and many other gorges can be hiked, archaeological sites abound.

 

Balos - Gramvousa​​

Falasarna & Elafonisi​

Cretan nature

Samaria

Adresse

Nerokampou Street

Stavros-Akrotiri

GR-73100 Chania-Crete

©2025 by Manon & Fred - Villa Céleste

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
bottom of page