The Hidden Treasures of Chania

Our top picks of the not so well known hidden treasures of Crete

Apart from all the well know tourist attractions in Chania including the Venetian Lighthouse, world famous beaches and monuments, we have gathered our top picks of the not so well known hidden treasures of the island for you to explore!

Loutro, Chania
About 70 kilometers south of Chania and a short distance from Sfakia lies the picturesque yet cosmopolitan fishing village of Loutro. Loutro is a tiny remote seaside village in the south of Crete, sparkling white next to a turquoise green and blue bay, with the harsh rocky mountains rising up behind her. The tight little harbor of the village makes it a safe port even in bad weather conditions, its inaccessibility means there are no large hotels, no crowds and no cars! Swimming is enjoyable between April and November. Within walking distance are beaches such as Loutro Bay Beach, Ilingas Beach and Timios Stavros Beach. If you have had enough of lazing around in the sun, canoes can be hired, you can snorkel and dive, even take a dive course. Nearby are a few Venetian ruins, and also a beautiful white-washed chapel framed perfectly against the blue sea, just placed perfectly for photographers. With a choice of taverns and cafes one can enjoy a day trip here. Visitors can arrive by ferry from Paleohora and Sougia, and by ferry, private charter or taxi boat from Sfakia.

Cave of Elephants
Caves are a world of hidden geological, ecological and many times archaeological treasures. This couldn’t be truer than for the hidden Cave of Elephants in Chania. The submarine Cave of Elephants is located in Drepano area of Akrotiri, in Chania prefecture and out of Souda Bay. The cave was discovered in 1999 by the snorkeler Manolis Efthymakis and is a refuge for the protected species of Mediteranean Seal, monachus monachus. It is of foremost importance, since this is one of the most endangered mammals of Europe. Local diving centers organize tours in the cave. The experience is truly unique: Visitors can admire the beautiful decor of stalactites and stalagmites (underwater and above the water surface) and see fossilized bones, which are embedded in the rocks of the cave. Visibility is very good. The Elephant Cave is the only place in Greece where bones of a unique species of elephant were discovered!

Marathi Beach
Marathi is located 17km east of Chania and 5km east of the Creta Naval Base in Souda Bay, on the southeastern coast of Akrotiri. It is a popular resort of Chania area, which attracts many visitors every summer, mainly families and elderly people. Marathi hosts two beautiful beaches with fine sand and shallow calm water, ideal for children. They are very well protected from the winds, as they face to the south and have nice view to Drapanos Cape and the White Mountains. The beaches are separated by a small pier, which also serves as a harbor for fishing boats and small ferries. It is well organized with all necessary amenities nearby.

The Oldest Olive Tree in the World
In the village of Ano Vouves of Kissamos in Chania. The magnificent ancient olive tree of Vouves has huge hollow roots that have grown right up out of the earth and are an unbelievable 12m in perimeter! Thought to be between 3,500-5,000 years old, it is actually listed on Wikipedia as the world’s oldest olive tree. It lives on still bearing olives in the heart of the small, picturesque, very rural village of Ano Vouves which is an idyllic setting for such a stunningly majestic tree. The olive tree museum housed right next to the tree has free entrance and is usually open all day throughout the summer months. Everything is beautifully displayed and presented.

Devils Cove (“Seitan Limania”)
Seitan Limania is a well-hidden corner of the northeast side of the Akrotiri peninsula, 20 km from the city of Chania, Crete. Once inaccessible by land. This inlet has for years been a hidden gem of a beach has only been accessible by a few until recent years where a path has now been constructed to its sandy shores. As he beach has no amenities you will need to pack and provide for yourself during the day. Perhaps one of the most photographed beaches in recent years, viewing this hidden treasure will be a day trip you will never forget!