Hania Province
There’s not much left of the 13th-century Venetian castle looming above Paleohora, but it's worth climbing the stairs for the splendid views of the sea and mountains, especially at sunset.
Built in its commanding hilltop position to monitor the southwestern coast, it was destroyed in turn by Cretan rebels, the pirate Barbarossa and the Ottomans.
8.44 MILES
Tucked into Crete’s southwestern corner, this symphony of fine pink-white sand, turquoise water and gentle rose dunes looks like a magical dreamscape. As…
27.47 MILES
The setting alone in the beautifully restored 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to visit this fine collection of artefacts from…
27.53 MILES
There are few places where Hania's historic charm and grandeur are more palpable than in the old Venetian Harbour. It's lined by pastel-coloured buildings…
19.23 MILES
A family-run business for over 25 years, this pretty winery in the village of Vatolakkos – 16km southwest of the centre of Hania – is well worth a visit…
24.95 MILES
The rugged Gramvousa Peninsula cradles the lagoon-like sandy beach of Balos, whose shallow, shimmering turquoise waters draw huge crowds in summer. This…
19.16 MILES
This broad sweep of beach has magical-looking pink-cream sands and teal waters and is known for its stunning sunsets. Along with superb water clarity,…
6.02 MILES
The ruins of ancient Lissos are a pleasant 3.5km hike from Sougia on the coastal (though not waterfront) path to Paleohora, which starts at the far end of…
19.65 MILES
Established in 2007, Charma was the first beer to be produced in Hania and you can sample the excellent brews at the slick operation here, set up by a…
1. Museum of the Acritans of Europe
0.19 MILES
This little museum is dedicated to the border fighters and heroes of Europe’s medieval and Byzantine times. It has a well-displayed historical exhibition,…
0.25 MILES
Pahia Ammos, often simply called Sandy Beach, lives up to its name. When the winds kick up it's good for windsurfing, and it's got the best sunsets in…
0.34 MILES
Halikia Beach is Paleohora's pebble beach, on the eastern side of Paleohora's peninsula. It can occasionally be better protected from the wind than sandy…
6.02 MILES
The ruins of ancient Lissos are a pleasant 3.5km hike from Sougia on the coastal (though not waterfront) path to Paleohora, which starts at the far end of…
7.81 MILES
If you’d like to get even more off the beaten track than gorgeous Elafonisi, head 1km east to similarly gorgeous Kedrodasos, a soft arc of sand favoured…
8.44 MILES
Tucked into Crete’s southwestern corner, this symphony of fine pink-white sand, turquoise water and gentle rose dunes looks like a magical dreamscape. As…
9.57 MILES
Elos, near the south of the Innahorion region, is the area’s largest town and the centre of the chestnut trade – hence the annual chestnut festival,…
8. Moni Hrysoskalitissas Monastery
10.16 MILES
Four kilometres north of Elafonisi is this beautiful monastery perched on a rock high above the sea. The church is recent, but the monastery is allegedly…