Old Venetian Harbor (Chania)
No visit to Chania is complete without spending time at its main attraction: the picturesque Venetian historic port. This harbor, with its multi-colored buildings and stone lighthouse standing like a sentinel over the blue waters of the Mediterranean, is as iconic as it gets. There is free parking available at Talos Square, which is at the entrance of the harbor and Old Town. It’s best to arrive during the early afternoon before the Talos Square Public Parking Lot is full, and then explore Old Town, do some shopping, walk to the famous lighthouse, and finish your day with a dinner at one of the many waterfront restaurants. In additional to souvenir shops, there is an entire street with shops that specialize in handmade leather goods. You will also find other shops that sell olive wood utensils, handmade linens and ceramics. Crete is also famous for handmade knives, and there are several shops that sell them. If you choose to purchase a handmade Cretan knife, look for a knife that is made of high carbon or Damascus steel, and it’s no problem to place it in your checked baggage when you return to the United States. You will likely want to purchase some Cretan olive oil, but it’s cheaper to purchase at the olive oil mill near the house. Olive oil is sold in metal one liter cans which are also safe to place into your checked baggage, and they will not leak. Other popular items are Cretan herbs, mountain tea and thyme honey, which may be purchased at the coffee shop or at Natalia’s House Cretan Goods Shop right in Douliana village. Many vendors will offer a small cash discount if you simply ask, and VAT (sales tax) is always included in the price of the item. It’s about a 30 minute drive from Douliana to Chania.
Map to Talos Square Free Parking
Old Town (Chania)
Old Town is right off of the Old Venetian Harbor, near Talos Square where you parked. The streets of Old Town are somewhat reminiscent of Mykonos, but not as heavily commercialized and without the overwhelming presence of high-end retailers such as Gucci. Instead the streets are loaded with little shops selling local, handmade items, and you also will find some of the better, off the beaten path restaurants here, serving authentic Cretan dishes such as lamb Stifado slow cooked in a clay pot over fire.
Rethymno & Venetian Fortress
Rethymno’s Venetian-era citadel, the Fortezza of Rethymno, is one of the best-preserved castles in Crete and definitely worth a visit. Other monuments include the Neradje Mosque (the Municipal Odeon arts centre), the Great Gate (Μεγάλη Πόρτα or “Porta Guora”), the Piazza Rimondi and the Loggia. You can park for free near the marina, then walk along Eliftheriou Venizelou street, where you will see many restaurants and bars. The street comes to an end at the Old Harbor, where you may enjoy a lunch at one of the many waterside restaurants on your way to/from the fortress. It’s about a an hour drive from Douliana to Rethynmo.
Map to Rethymno Port Free Parking
Samaria Gorge
Hiking the Samaria Gorge is probably one of the most memorable experiences you will ever have. Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in all of Europe and the scenery is spectacular. The hike is approximately 16km, starting at approximately 1,250m elevation and ending at the Libyan Sea. In order to enjoy this activity you must be in good physical condition, as the hike takes an average of seven hours to complete, with steep inclines and lots of boulder hopping along a mountain stream. I don’t want to discourage anyone from taking this hike of a lifetime, but you need to be sure that you and everyone in your party is up to it, because once you begin the hike there is no way out, you either walk uphill to the beginning if it proves too challenging, or finish at the end. I personally made the hike in mid-June, and the temperature towards midday reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I’m 58 years old at the time of this writing, and consider myself to be in good physical condition. During my hike I carried a 60lb backpack, which was completely unnecessary. During most of the summer you can fill up a water bottle right from the stream or at several rest points along the hike, and then just bring a salty snack such as pretzels. There are park rangers along the trail, in addition to donkeys and a helipad if a hiker runs into serious trouble. What challenged me is that I have been a “flat lander” for my entire life, and the constant incline stressed muscles in my legs and tendons in my knees. With that said, there were many hikers from Nordic countries who sailed past me wearing just sandals, and younger adults and children seemed to have no issues. My recommendation is that you book a tour from GT Travel in Kalyves. They will pick you up in front of their office around 5:45am, you will transfer to a larger tour bus in Chania, make a short stop at a taverna for breakfast before entering the national park, have a guide with you during the hike, catch a ferry at the end to another village where you will catch your bus to return back to Kalyves. It’s a long day as you will get back to Kalyves around 9:00pm. You can park your car at the Kalyves Beach free parking lot, just steps away from their office. Samaria Gorge is open from May 1st thru October 15th, and is subject to temporary closures due to extreme heat, heavy rainfall or earthquakes.
Samaria Nation Park Official Website
Book Samaria Trip with GT Travel
Knossos (Heraklion)
The Knossos Heraklion archaeological site is a must see, and offers a closer look at one of the earliest advanced civilizations in Crete, which thrived from around 2,000 BC to 1,400 BC. Many Greek myths have referred to this city, especially the legend of King Minos, the Minotaur, and the labyrinth. It’s about a 2.5 hour drive from Douliana to Knossos.
Balos & Gramvousa
Balos beach is one of the top three most beautiful beaches on Crete and is often ranked first. Balos is located in the north-west corner of the island, at the end of the Gramvoussa peninsula. The Balos lagoon is one of the most photographed spots on the island of Crete, with hypnotizing turquoise waters and a panoramic landscape. Catching a passenger ferry from Kissamos Port is a relaxing and convenient way to reach Balos. The beautiful trip offers the chance to spot dolphins. The ferry stops at the island of Imeri Gramvousa, where you can visit the old fortress as you make your way towards the beach
Vamos Village
Nearby Vamos Village offers a number of cultural activities which may be booked thru their tourism office. It’s about a ten minute drive from Douliana to Vamos.
Vamos Village Tours Info Sheet
Gavalochori Village
A quaint village and one of the most famous in the Apokoronas region. It’s about a ten minute drive from Douliana to Gavalachori. You may also hike along a small path thru the small valley between Douliana to Gavalahori, and stop at the Agios Ioannis Chapel along the path.
Maravel Garden (Spili, Rethymno)
Maravel Garden is one of our favorite places to visit! It features a four acre garden dedicated to medicinal plants and herbs, a great cafe overlooking the picturesque hillside, a raki and essential oil distillery, and an absolutely AMAZING shop! At the shop you may purchase dried herbs, essential oils, olive oil, thyme honey, cosmetics, soaps, and more! It’s located in the mountains south of Rethymno near the village of Spili.