Crete. The first three days: Chania, the sea and first impressions

When I was planning seven days in Crete, at first I wanted to include as many places as possible in the itinerary. But in the early days it became clear that the island was too big and interesting to constantly rush. Therefore, I decided to spend the first three days in the west of Crete, staying in Chania and leaving enough time not only for sightseeing, but also for regular walks, the sea and local food.

The first acquaintance with Chania

After the trip, I went for a walk around the old town. Chania immediately liked the combination of Venetian buildings, narrow stone streets and the sea. I spent most of my time at the old harbor and the Egyptian lighthouse, and then I just went wherever I wanted. It was these walks that turned out to be more interesting here than a pre-compiled list of places. The historical center has preserved traces of different eras, including the Venetian and Ottoman, so you can see a completely different Greece around one corner.

In the evening, I sat down at a small tavern and ordered some local dishes. Greek salad, zajiki, souvlaki and fresh bread turned out to be an excellent end to the first day. It was nice to just sit outside, look at people and realize that there was no need to rush anywhere for the next few days.

The road to Elafonisi

The next day, I decided to go to one of the most famous places in western Crete, Elafonisi beach. The road took a significant part of the day, but the trip itself turned out to be no less interesting than the final destination. Gradually, the urban landscapes were replaced by mountains, small settlements and open views of the coast.

Elafonisi Beach

Elafonisi really looks unusual. There are shallow waters, clear water and patches of sand with a characteristic pinkish tinge, which is associated with fragments of shells. The area has a conservation status, so I tried not to touch anything and just enjoy the scenery.

The third day is without a clear plan

After a busy trip to Elafonisi, I purposely left the third day almost free. I walked around Chania again, looked at the market, drank coffee and went to the coast. This particular day suddenly became one of the most enjoyable: without schedules, tickets, and mandatory points on the map.

After three days, I realized the main thing - I don't just want to take a quick look at Crete. Here you want to stay at least for a few days in one place, and then continue on your way. But ahead of me were Rethymno, Heraklion and a completely different side of the island.