Blog / GreeceGriekenland / Crete — West
Chania: Venetian harbour, Balos blues
Chania · May 2026
DurationReisduur
4 daysdagen
Best seasonBeste seizoen
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
BudgetBudget
€€€
DifficultyNiveau
ModerateGemiddeld
Our favourite base on Crete. Venetian alleys, a lighthouse at dusk, and the two most ridiculous beaches in Greece within a day's reach.
The routeDe route
- 1
Day 1.Dag 1. Old harbour & lighthouse walk, covered market, backstreet tavernas
- 2
Day 2.Dag 2. Balos lagoon by boat (or the brave gravel road)
- 3
Day 3.Dag 3. Elafonisi pink sand day
- 4
Day 4.Dag 4. Botanical Park foothills, sunset at the Firkas fortress
Our tipsOnze tips
Stay in the old town but pack earplugs — it's lively
Balos by boat is easier; by car the last 8 km are gravel
Elafonisi after 16:00 when the day-trippers leave is a different beach
Photo albumFotoalbum
swipe through →veeg maar door →Chania, arrival day
the view we drove for
lunch that became dinner
a detour worth taking
last morning, Chania