Set in Argoulidhés and only 3 km from The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada, Sunny hideaway Residence Close to the Nature offers accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This villa features air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The villa with a terrace and sea views features 4 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, and 2 bathrooms with a bath. Towels and bed linen are featured in the villa.
The villa offers a barbecue. Guests at Sunny hideaway Residence Close to the Nature can enjoy fishing and hiking nearby, or make the most of the garden.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 6.7 km from the accommodation, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 7.1 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 5 km from Sunny hideaway Residence Close to the Nature.
Featuring mountain views, Villa al Sur provides accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 3.4 km from The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada. This villa features a private pool, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The villa is equipped with 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings and the villa can arrange a car rental service.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 6.5 km from Villa al Sur, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 6.8 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 4 km from the accommodation.
from
€719
/night
Boasting garden views, Dream Tiny House features accommodation with an outdoor sharing pool, a fitness centre and a garden, around 3.1 km from Venizelos Graves.
The air-conditioned holiday home consists of 1 separate bedroom, 1 bathroom with a hairdryer and free toiletries, and a seating area. The kitchen features a fridge, Netflix and a toaster, as well as kettle and coffee machine.
Speaking German, Greek and English, staff are always on hand to help at the reception.
The holiday home provides a barbecue.
Conference Centre of MAICh is 5 km from Dream Tiny House, while House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International, 5 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a free airport shuttle service.
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Villa Thealassa is set in Kounoupidhianá. This property offers access to a balcony, ping-pong, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa has 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
The villa offers a barbecue. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Villa Thealassa, while cycling can be enjoyed nearby.
The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada is 4.7 km from the accommodation, while House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 6.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 5 km from Villa Thealassa.
from
€387
/night
Boasting garden views, Katofli Slow Living features accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 2.5 km from The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada. This property offers access to a terrace, free private parking and free WiFi.
The holiday home has 3 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with streaming services and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with an oven, a microwave, a washing machine, a toaster and a fridge. Towels and bed linen are offered in the holiday home.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 7.4 km from the holiday home, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 7.7 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 3 km from Katofli Slow Living.
from
€112
/night
Located in Pithárion and only 4.5 km from The Holy Monastery of Agia Triada, Villa Damant provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. This villa offers air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The villa is equipped with 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Guests can enjoy the outdoor swimming pool and garden at the villa.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 5.1 km from Villa Damant, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 5.4 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 6 km from the accommodation.
from
€821
/night
Start your trip to Elafonissi Beach with a convenient pickup from your accommodation in Chania. Then, sit back and enjoy the views as you make your way towards the southwestern part of the island.
Once you arrive at your destination, you get to choose how to spend your free time here. Lie back and soak up the sun on the beach or go for a walk and admire the rare flowers that grow in the sand dunes.
Explore the lagoon that connects the tiny islet to dry land and take advantage of the SUP board and snorkeling equipment included in your day trip. (SUP is available from May the 1st).And if you’re feeling parched, enjoy some of the complimentary water, juice, and fresh fruit provided.
Finally, once your day at the beach comes to an end, hop back aboard your private vehicle for a comfortable return journey to your accommodation in Chania.
We are an authorized company employing professional drivers for your safety and comfort. We primarily handle transfers to and from the airport, but we also cater to private excursions and transportation for weddings or other events. Our drivers are trained to serve you with professional courtesy. Our mission is to provide discreet, quality transportation with a driver at competitive prices, managing all requests with a high level of responsibility and responsiveness, whether it’s a simple transfer from the airport/port or a multi-day exclusive VIP transfer. Upon your arrival at the airports or ports of Crete, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit to offer you cool and refreshing water. They will escort you to the vehicle and provide you with wet wipes. You can then sit comfortably and enjoy the journey to the hotel. Our vehicle is equipped with USB and Type-C ports, as well as free Wi-Fi.
We are an authorized company employing professional drivers for your safety and comfort. We primarily handle transfers to and from the airport, but we also cater to private excursions and transportation for weddings or other events. Our drivers are trained to serve you with professional courtesy. Our mission is to provide discreet, quality transportation with a driver at competitive prices, managing all requests with a high level of responsibility and responsiveness, whether it’s a simple transfer from the airport/port or a multi-day exclusive VIP transfer. Upon your arrival at the airports or ports of Crete, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals exit to offer you cool and refreshing water. They will escort you to the vehicle and provide you with wet wipes. You can then sit comfortably and enjoy the journey to the hotel. Our vehicle is equipped with USB and Type-C ports, as well as free Wi-Fi.
Pick-Up or Meet-Up: We’ll either pick you up or meet you at our dive center, where you’ll meet your instructor.
Briefing and Theory: Following the excitement of your first dive, we’ll gather for a quick session covering essential theories behind safe diving practices, equipment basics, and safety tips.
Choose Your Gear: Your instructor will guide you in selecting the gear that best suits you
Beach Prep: We’ll head to the beach together, assemble our gear, and get ready for our first dive for about 45minutes.
After a refreshing break: we’ll change cylinders and then get ready for the second dive at maximum depth of 12 meters.
After we finish, we’ll return back to the dive center where you will receive your Basic Diver Certification .
Finally: Let’s get ready for the drop-off or if you have your own transportation, you are more than welcome to use it.
Book your beginner scuba diving today and let the exploration begin!
Are you ready for an unforgettable journey beneath the surface?
-Pick-Up or Meet-Up: We’ll either pick you up or meet you at our dive center, where you’ll meet your instructor.
-Theory and Briefing: Get ready for a quick session to cover essential theories behind safe diving practices and equipment use basics and safety tips.
-Choose Your Gear: Your instructor will help you pick out gear that suits you best.
– Beach Prep: We’ll head to the beach together, gear up, and get ready for our dive.
– Dive Time: Let’s dive in and explore the stunning underwater world together, for about 45minutes
-After we finish, we’ll return back to the dive center to get ready for the drop-off or if you have your own transportation, you are more than welcome to use it.
Our experienced instructors will take you through step-by-step instruction, before diving, covering everything you need to know in order to make most of it!
Book your beginner scuba diving course today and let the exploration begin!
We start our van tour from Chania at the pick up point that we have both agreed on. We then start going towards Ag. Triada the first monastery that you will be able to visit. You can spend some time there and then we continue our tour to Gouvernetou Monastery where you can also have the chance to visit and buy local products from the monks. You can even follow a path called The Bear’s Path that leads you to a cave. It’s quite interesting and you will be delighted by the view of the sea! Then, upon request, we can even take you to Marathi beach or Seitan Limani for a swim or eat at the local restaurants.
The seaside village of Kalathas is located 12km northeast of Chania city, in a natural bay at Cape Akrotiri, which is open to the north winds. Current Kalathas is a relatively new village, which has been inhabited by residents of Chania who wanted to live away from the city centre.
The beach in front of the village is beautiful, with fine sand and shallow crystal clear water. Opposite Kalathas, there is a small island which you can easily reach by swimming.
The beach is very well organized with umbrellas, water sports, restaurants, hotels, lifeguards, mini markets, etc.
West of the main bay, beyond the rocky end, there is a secluded sandy bay. This is not organized and is ideal for those who do not like crowded places.
Tip: If you continue towards the far right of the beach, you will find a rather remote beach with usually hardly any people should you wish to avoid the crowded part of the beach.
Vlites beach, a well-sheltered spot situated in the grand Souda bay, lies about 5 km to the east of Chania city and holds the title of the longest beach in the bay. This expansive beach takes shape north of the Moronis River’s mouth, extending northwards to the Souda Bay War Cemetery.
The sandy seashore is ideal for kids due to its typically tranquil state and shallow waters. Previously, its closeness to both the Souda Naval Base and Souda’s commercial port led many locals to avoid swimming in its waters. However, chemical analysis has confirmed the water’s cleanliness, assuring that swimming at Vlites beach is entirely safe.
Agios Onoufrios, a serene seaside village located 8km north of Chania and close to Kounoupidiana, is a hidden gem worth visiting.
The beach of Agios Onoufrios is quiet and sandy, and well protected from the winds, as it is located in a deep bay, along with a picturesque small port. Although not well-organized, it’s a popular spot for locals who come for the picturesque landscape and traditional taverns. The only downside is the fuel tanks located northwest of the beach, which break the peaceful atmosphere.
Despite this, the beach is equipped with sunbeds, parasols, showers, changing rooms, and a lifeguard service. For sports enthusiasts, there are two volleyball courts available. Overall, Agios Onoufrios is a great destination for those looking for a quiet beach away from the crowds.
Tersanas is a charming coastal village situated 13km northeast of Chania, tucked away in a small cove on the west side of Cape Akrotiri. While it serves as the harbour for the neighbouring village of Chorafakia, Tersanas is a well-developed area and a popular holiday destination.
The beach at Tersanas is nestled within a natural harbour that faces southwest. With its white, fine sand and crystal-clear shallow waters, it’s a small beach that can get crowded, especially on weekends. Visitors can take advantage of the available sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and snack bars. Its calm waters and proximity to tourist facilities make it perfect for families, and there are buses from Chania that stop at Tersanas.
Avlaki Gorge is a 2 km hiking gorge in the Chania region of Crete, walked from Gouverneto Monastery down to Katholiko Bay about 16 km east of Chania city. The route rates 2 on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10, takes roughly 1 hour, drops 280 metres in altitude, and stays generally dry. Hikers reach the sea through a chain of caves, hermitages, and the abandoned Katholiko Monastery, which is why the canyon is also called Katholiko Gorge.
Avlaki Gorge is a short, steep monastic gorge that connects Gouverneto Monastery to the coast at Katholiko Bay. Avlaki Gorge sits in Arkoudovounia, a rugged pocket of the Akrotiri peninsula near Gouverneto Monastery, and it counts among Crete’s most significant canyons for its religious history. The secluded ravine gave refuge to numerous monks and hermits, who lived in its caves for centuries. The same gorge shelters the ancient, abandoned Katholiko Monastery, and that landmark gives the canyon its second name of Katholiko Gorge.
The gorge is not entirely accessible along its full length, so most visitors follow the marked trail rather than the raw riverbed. A signposted path from the monastery carries you on a scenic but steep descent toward Katholiko and the sea. The walk is dry underfoot in normal conditions, because Avlaki Gorge carries no permanent stream. You can preview other routes in the region on the wider Crete gorges guide.
Avlaki Gorge is an easy gorge to time but a steep one to walk. On a scale of 1 to 10, the route rates a difficulty level of 2, which suits reasonably fit walkers rather than technical canyoning. The one-way hike takes approximately 1 hour over its 2 km length, and it loses 280 metres of altitude between the monastery and the bay. The descent is the gentle part of the day; the same 280 metres must be climbed back on the return, so the uphill leg is where the effort concentrates.
Reach the trailhead by driving to Gouverneto Monastery, roughly 16 km east of Chania city on the Akrotiri peninsula. Follow these steps from Chania:
The monastery is the trailhead, so a hire car is the most direct way to reach it and to link Avlaki with other stops on Akrotiri. Renting a vehicle keeps the return climb on your own schedule rather than a tour timetable, which matters when you want to swim at the bay before heading back. Compare vehicles and pickup points through the Crete car rental directory.
The trail passes four monastic and coastal landmarks in sequence, each a short leg apart:
The bay guards one more curiosity worth the descent. A rock formation shaped like a boat stands near the water, and local legend calls it a pirate ship turned to stone by a monastery abbot’s curse. The deep blue water of the fjord makes the coastal finish a natural place to rest before the climb back.
Pack for a steep, dry, and shadeless walk with a coastal reward at the end. Sturdy shoes grip the rocky descent far better than sandals, and they protect ankles on the loose sections toward Katholiko. Water and sun protection matter because the gorge is dry and largely exposed, so carry enough for both legs of the hike. Swimwear is worth adding, since the deep blue fjord at Katholiko Bay invites a swim before the return climb.
What is Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is a hiking gorge in the Chania region of Crete that runs from Gouverneto Monastery down to Katholiko Bay.
What type of gorge is Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is a hiking gorge, walked on a marked trail rather than descended with ropes.
Is there water in Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is generally dry, so the riverbed carries no permanent stream in normal conditions.
How can I access Avlaki Gorge? Access Avlaki Gorge on foot, following the marked trail that starts at Gouverneto Monastery.
How long is Avlaki Gorge? Avlaki Gorge is 2 km long from the monastery to the bay.
What is the difficulty level of Avlaki Gorge? On a scale of 1 to 10, Avlaki Gorge has a difficulty level of 2.
How many hours does it take to hike Avlaki Gorge? Hiking Avlaki Gorge takes approximately 1 hour one way.
What is the altitude difference in Avlaki Gorge? The altitude difference in Avlaki Gorge is 280 metres.
Where does Avlaki Gorge end? Avlaki Gorge ends at Katholiko Bay, a slender rocky fjord with deep blue water, a small Venetian well, and a tiny harbour once used by monks.
Several Chania canyons pair well with an Avlaki visit, each offering a different landscape and difficulty. Diplohahalo Gorge lies about 5.4 km away at the tip of Akrotiri, a technical route ending on the sands of Stefanou Beach. For a greener, car-accessible contrast further inland, the six-kilometre Therisso Gorge climbs toward the historic village of Therisso at the foot of the White Mountains.
Located at the farthest point of Akrotiri Cape lies the Diplochachalo Gorge. This gorge is situated near the village of Chordaki, en route to the renowned Stefanou or Seitan Limania beach. The gorge is a compact, breathtaking, and purely technical canyon featuring six descents, two of which are quite tall. It begins just beneath the quarry that stands out in the area. The gorge’s brief route, apart from the descents, forms dramatic rock shelters and formations with steep slopes. At the centre of the tallest waterfall, which stands at 38m, resides a beautiful cave adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, stretching around 20 meters deep. The gorge’s exit leads directly to the sandy shores of Stefanou Beach.
The Diktamos Canyon, nestled within the White Mountains, commences 21km to the east of Chania, near the Katochori village at an elevation of 300m. It concludes 8km further east, at the Faragi village, situated at a height of 40m and in close proximity to the Stylos village in the Apokoronas province. Consequently, it is also referred to as the Katechori Gorge or Stylos Gorge. The canyon’s stream serves as the primary tributary of the Kiliaris River, gathering water from the northern slopes of the Mavri peak and discharging it onto the Kalives beach.
Navigating through the canyon can be challenging, with certain areas requiring extra caution and approximately 3 hours to traverse. The canyon is a stunning, verdant landscape filled with towering trees and steep inclines, home to dittany or diktamos, a herb endemic to Crete. In Stylos, you have the opportunity to explore the ancient church of Apostle John (Agios Ioannis Theologos), refresh yourself at the local springs, and replenish your energy at the village’s taverns.
The Cyclamen Gorge, also known as Agios Georgios Gorge or Gorge Vandes, is nestled on the northern slopes of the White Mountains. Its starting point is the Aletrouvari settlement, situated at an altitude of 300m, and it extends east of Agios Georgios village, ultimately ending at the village of Vandes, which is at an elevation of 50m. The stream that runs through this gorge gathers water from the Drakona area, resulting in the formation of quaint, small ponds at certain spots.
However, this route is not recommended for novice hikers as it requires approximately 2 hours to traverse from Aletrouvari or about 1 hour from Agios Georgios. As visitors journey through this route, they will encounter a diverse landscape that changes along the river, all under the cool shade of towering plane trees and cypresses.
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