Western Crete: 5 Driving Destinations around Chania
On the western side of Crete, Chania is a popular destination with a long tourist season from spring until autumn and only a few visitors during winter. Outside the Old Town, the wider region is far less populated and much quieter than the city centre, especially during the busy days of July and August. Rent a car and escape the city centre to explore our driving destinations around Chania, outside the tourist areas and closer to the everyday life of Cretans. Make sure you take some time to stop at a local taverna to try the authentic local dishes!
Our favourite 5 driving destinations around Chania:
Kissamos, 38 km west of Chania
In the large bay formed by the two peninsulas of Gramvoussa and Rodopou lies the coastal town of Kissamos or Kasteli. Built at the location of ancient Kissamos, it is the second-largest centre of Chania prefecture and the fourth-largest port of Crete. It also connects the island by ferry with the Peloponnese and the small islands of Kythira and Antikythira. Ancient Kissamos was the port of Polirinia, an important Archaic city-state built by Achaeans and Laconians. Visit the ruins of the old citadel built at a nearby hill 8km south of Kastelli and enjoy the view of both the Cretan sea in the north and the Libyan sea in the south. The Archaeological Museum of Kissamos exhibits findings from the excavations of the area.
Vamos, 26km southeast of Chania, in the region of Apokoronas. Photo by Wolfgang Sauber, licensed.
Vamos, 26 km southeast of Chania, in the region of Apokoronas
Vamos is a beautiful central village in the area of Apokoronas. The whole town preserves the traditional architecture of stone houses and paved streets. The main square of Vamos, with cafes and restaurants under the shade of plane trees, is a meeting point for inhabitants of the nearby villages. Vamos is an ideal place to start and end your hikes at Apokoronas and to participate in cultural festivals or traditional feasts that happen in the area.
Vrysses village, ideal for hot summer days, 30 km southeast of Chania. Photo by C Messier, licensed.
Vrysses, 30 km southeast of Chania
The village of Vrysses, at the foot of the White Mountains, is the administrative and commercial centre of Apokoronas. It is also your best choice for a break on a hot summer day, especially if you travel from the north of Chania to the south coast. The centre and market of the village are gathered around the Boutakas river crossing Vrysses and the square with the old plane trees. From there, you can drive to the smaller towns of Fres, Vafes, or Alikampos to explore the quietest side of Apokoronas.
The coastal village of Sfakia, 72 km southeast of Chania. Photo by Tango7174, licensed.
Sfakia, 72 km southeast of Chania
72km southeast of Chania is the historical region of Sfakia, well-known for the proud and strong people who have opposed foreign rule throughout the centuries. The drive alone through the White Mountains will reward you with stunning views of the Libyan sea, especially when approaching the steep south coast.
Sfakia offers a variety of facilities, accommodations, family-run cafes and restaurants by the sea. The coastal area connects by boat to Sougia, Palaiochora, Gavdos and Agia Roumeli, where Samaria gorge meets the Libyan sea. Nearby beaches are also accessible by boat or car.
If you feel a bit more adventurous, take the 12km winding road to the west towards the mountainous village of Anopoli, the old capital of the Sfakia region. Today Anopoli is a small, quiet village known for its hospitable people, the hikes with amazing views and the tasty local baked goods. If you are an adventurous traveller, read at the "Fly me to the moon" website about hiking through the majestic gorges of Chania and Rethymno.
Aptera, 16 km east of Chania
Our driving destinations around Chania list ends with a time travel to the Minoan times in the archaeological site of Aptera, standing at the top of a hill overlooking the bay of Souda. Take the North Road Axis toward Rethymno from Chania and turn right after 13km, following the sign to Aptera.
Aptera was a powerful ancient Minoan city which remained strong up to the Hellenistic and Roman periods due to its strategic location. According to the myth, the name Aptera (greek for "without wings") refers to Sirens who lost their wings, defeated at a music contest by the Muses. The lost wings became the small white islands of Souda Bay called "Lefkes".
Discover the marks left behind by the different civilisations that inhabited Aptera: the walls of the ancient city, the ruins of temples dating back to the 8th century BC, the ancient theatre, the Roman cisterns and chamber tombs.
The theatre at the archaeological site of Aptera. Photo by Wikifreund, licensed.
Would you like to find out more about driving destinations around Chania?
Then, read our post on the Best 5 Beaches in Chania.
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Featured photo by Toms Auzins, licensed.