The Chania region has many beautiful sights and fun activities to offer. So during your stay in Crete, there are plenty of places to make this holiday unforgettable. We have listed some of our favourites for you. Read more about 7 sights and activities in the western part of Crete here.
Aptera is a historic town in western Crete near Chania. The city was founded in the 8th century BC and had an important role thanks to its location overlooking the Bay of Souda. Aptera is home to impressive remains from ancient times, making it a wonderful place for true history enthousiasts. Check out Aptera's website for more information.
Close to Kalyves is Koumos, an open-air museum consisting of impressive stone buildings, mosaics and sculptures. Local artist Yorgos Khalalesakis created Koumos as a tribute to Cretan culture. During the day you can wander around and explore this place, then in the evening you can enjoy delicious Greek dishes at the taverna. You can find out more about this special place on the Koumos website. Definitely recommended to combine with a visit to the seaside town Kalyves!
The ‘Monastery of Agia Triada Tzagaroli’ (Agia Triada monastery) is a 17th-century monastery on a peninsula close to the city of Chania. You can visit this beautiful church, walk through the courtyard and enter the museum. In this museum, there are many paintings and manuscripts on display. In addition, the monks produce delicious organic products such as wine, olive oil and honey that visitors can buy. Perfect for a souvenir!
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Are you a real wine lover? Then Dourakis Winery comes highly recommended. This family winery is known for its passion, quality and tradition. This ensures a truly authentic experience! The beautiful location in the green hills of the region completes the picture. It is the perfect activity to learn more about quality wines and also offers the opportunity to taste local dishes from the Dourakis Family. Highly recommended!
Curious about other nice wineries in the area? Then check out our article on the best wineries near Chania.
The Botanical Garden of Crete is a beautiful piece of nature in the mountains south of Chania. After a major fire in 2003, the garden was redesigned and now offers a wide variety of plants, herbs and fruit trees. In the garden, you can follow several beautiful hiking trails and end it with a lunch or drink in the restaurant, where you can enjoy local dishes and stunning views.
The village of Argyroupoli offers a nice mix of history and nature, helped by Roman remains and beautiful waterfalls. Built on the ruins of ancient Lappa, the village is a nice place for a relaxing getaway. Of course, there are also plenty of opportunities here to enjoy the local cuisine in one of the traditional taverns.
Eating at a good restaurant is often the perfect end to the day. Elpis is a traditional Greek restaurant in Plaka where you can go for an authentic culinary experience. The family-run restaurant is known for its warm hospitality and delicious Cretan dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients. This is definitely a restaurant you will want to come back to!
All these activities and sights are easily accessible from our Villas. However, we definitely recommend renting a car. That way, you can discover the region at your own pace. Read all about renting a car in Crete here.
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