Olya
If island hopping through Greece is your idea of an idyllic European summer, you will enjoy my Crete and Naxos islands combination. This summer getaway is a perfect blend of ancient history, pristine beaches, beautiful architecture, and of course, delectable Greek food. While you can easily find all of these elements on each island individually, it’s so much fun to hop around Greek islands, each unique in its own beautiful way.
CRETE
Being the largest island in Greece, Crete offers a vast array of stunning places to explore. Cretan beaches must be among the best in Europe, if not the world, I dare say. The island’s beautiful old towns, like Chania and Rethymno, will have you dreaming as you stroll through narrow, cobblestone streets, boasting stunning Venetian architecture with Ottoman mosques mixed in. As for the local food scene, there are numerous restaurants and tavernas serving delicious Cretan food to satisfy every taste, and local wine and olive oil tastings add extra fun to the already rich food scene.
THINGS TO DO
EXPLORE LOCAL BEACHES
You’re here for the incredible beaches, so make sure to explore as many of them as you can!
BALOS BEACH AND GRAMVOUSA ISLAND
One of my most vivid memories of Crete is diving off the boat to make my way to the sandy shores of Balos. Once I stepped foot into the lagoon, it felt less like Europe and more like an exotic Caribbean island, surrounded by warm waters in various shades of blue. To this day, it remains one of my favorite beaches in the world!
To get to Balos Beach, you can either drive on a narrow dirt road or take a boat from Kissamos. I decided to go by boat so I could also visit Gramvousa Island, with its Venetian fort, pirate history, shipwreck, and gorgeous beach. If you can rent a yacht for Balos Beach and Gramvousa Island, it will be the ultimate adventure!
ELAFONISSI BEACH
Elafonissi is another beautiful Cretan beach, famous for its pink sands. You will see a small island nearby that can be easily reached by wading through shallow waters of the lagoon. On the island, the beach is much less crowded and is surrounded by protected sand dunes and bright blue water. I highly recommend taking your beach towel and umbrella straight to the island to experience Elafonissi in a more serene setting compared to the main beach.
If you’re staying in Chania, it’s an hour and a half drive through picturesque olive groves, villages and also Topolia Gorge with its hairpin turns and honey stands throughout.
SEITAN LIMANI BEACH
A drive to Seitan Limani Beach is not for the faint of heart! The winding road features some very sharp turns and occasional goats heading to the beach as well. If you enjoy discovering unique, rugged, and natural places, this breathtaking beach is absolutely worth the effort. Seitan Limani Beach is approximately 20 km from Chania, and you can also combine this beach trip with a visit to the nearby Agia Triada Monastery.
PARALIA MACHERIDA
Macherida is a hidden gem located near Chania. The beach resembles a small lagoon with crystal clear water and soft sand. There’s no open space to place your towel on the shoreline; therefore, you’ll need to settle among the jagged rocks surrounding the lagoon. I should also note that while you may spot the occasional nudist at Macherida, tourists in swimsuits are the majority here.
VOULISMA BEACH
Located on the eastern side of the island, Voulisma Beach is a gorgeous lagoon where the water appears in all shades of blue and turquoise. Voulisma is a mere 13km from Agios Nikolaos, a lovely seaside town that you can visit on the way.
POTAMOS BEACH
Potamos is another stunning beach located on Crete’s eastern coast. There are sand dunes and rock pools, which give Potamos Beach its distinctive look. When you’re ready for lunch, you can head to Taverna Kalyva, a charming beachside tavern, or take a short drive to Taverna Eva, another superb lunch spot.
VISIT CHANIA
Throughout centuries, Western and Eastern influences have blended to create the one-of-a-kind city of Chania. It is renowned for its Venetian architecture, mosques from the Ottoman era, and archaeological sites from the Minoan civilization.
Getting lost in the maze-like streets of the old town was one of my favorite things to do here. There are so many charming historical buildings, cozy tavernas, and cafes hidden in every corner, courtyard and alleyway.
The old town of Chania was my base for 6 days as I explored the western side of the island, and I couldn’t be happier with this choice. I loved starting each morning with breakfast on a terrace overlooking the Venetian Harbor, then traveling to stunning western beaches, and returning to the lively town for dinner and evening walks.
Where I stayed in Chania:
While in Chania, I stayed at Pandora Suites Hotel, a charming boutique hotel with gorgeous views of the Venetian Harbor from its rooftop terrace.
VISIT RETHYMNO
Similar to Chania, Rethymno is a picturesque seaside town known for its Venetian architecture, Ottoman mosques, beautiful fountains, and countless tavernas serving delicious Cretan food.
If you’re driving from Heraklion to Chania, Rethymno makes a perfect stop along the way. Take a stroll through the old town, grab lunch at one of the tavernas, then continue on your way to Chania.
LAKE KOURNAS
Somewhere half way between Rethymno and Chania lies Lake Kournas, another gorgeous natural sight in Crete. What makes the lake unique is the stark contrast between its bright blue rim and deep blue center. Rent a paddle boat to explore the lake and search for its turtle residents.
MALIA (OLD TOWN)
The old town of Malia is small but definitely worth a visit when you explore the eastern side of Crete.
One of my all-time favorite Cretan restaurants, called San Giorgio, is in Malia, and you should definitely go there for lunch or make a dinner reservation. You can also pair your visit to the old town of Malia with a swim at the beautiful Potamos Beach.
NAXOS
Completely unplanned, Naxos turned out to be our lucky choice for a last-minute destination, as we weren’t ready to leave Greece after spending two incredible weeks in Crete. With the Greek islands being well-connected and easily accessible, island hopping becomes very tempting!
Naxos, being much smaller than Crete, offered the slow-paced, relaxed atmosphere that we needed after our hyperactive, always-on-the-go time in Crete. With fewer tourists, Naxos felt like a hidden gem, boasting incredible beaches, traditional villages, and archeological sights.
THINGS TO DO
EXPLORE NAXOS TOWN
Naxos town, also called Chora, is a traditional Greek town with whitewashed buildings perched on a steep hill.
When I dream of spending summer days in Greece, a place like Naxos town enters my imagination. Its narrow, winding streets are lined with charming white houses featuring blue doors and windows, alongside small churches, cozy tavernas, bright pink bougainvillea, and fishing boats bobbing in the old port.
What makes Naxos Town stand out among other Cycladic towns is its majestic ancient Portara, the unfinished Temple of Apollo, and Naxos Castle, which sits atop the hill.
As you stroll down the pier towards Portara, you’ll notice stone stairs on your left that lead into the sea. You can marvel at Portara while floating in the sea and take in the views of Naxos Town on the other side.
Upon reaching Naxos Castle, be sure to visit Avaton 1739. This charming cafe, perched atop the historic Monastery and School of Ursulines, offers incredible views of Naxos Town and the sea.
WHERE I STAYED IN NAXOS TOWN
I stayed at the lovely Naxos Green Village Hotel, which is only a 10-minute walk from Naxos Town. Away from the hustle and bustle, the hotel felt like a serene retreat, with its expansive grounds featuring a large swimming pool, a family-run restaurant, and even a small church.
DISCOVER LOCAL BEACHES
PLAKA BEACH
Since Plaka is my favorite beach on Naxos, I place it at the top of my list. This long, sandy beach stretches for 4 km and boasts turquoise water and sand dunes. When heading to Plaka Beach, we would park near Petrino Tavern so we could have lunch there, followed by some delicious ice cream at Mitatos next door.
ALYKO AND HAWAII BEACH
What makes Alyko Beach special is the cedar forest surrounding it, with cedar trees even growing on the sand dunes right by the sea. There’s a small, blue-domed church overlooking the beach, adding even more character to the scene.
To visit Hawaii Beach, simply stroll down the dirt road where you parked for Alyko Beach. Hawaii Beach is small and cozy, offering stunning sea views from the cliffs.
MIKRI VIGLA BEACH
If you know how to kite surf or enjoy watching others attempt this sport, Mikri Vigla Beach is the perfect place for it.
It’s truly mesmerizing to see so many people kite surfing at once.
AGIOS PROKOPIOS BEACH
Agios Prokopios is another great beach on the western coast of Naxos. There are two pink salt lakes right by the beach, adding another interesting natural feature to the area.
GO ON A ROAD TRIP TO CHALKI AND APEIRANTHOS, TRADITIONAL NAXAN VILLAGES
Chalki and Apeiranthos are two traditional mountain villages that can be visited on the same road trip.
The former capital of the island, Chalki boasts well-preserved neoclassical buildings, Byzantine churches, including the 9th century church of Panagia Protothronos, one of the oldest churches on the island.
Visit the Vallindras distillery to see how the famous Kitron liquor is made, and you may even taste it as a complimentary offering from the distillery. Additionally, be sure to stop by Fish and Olive, a wonderful art gallery in Chalki, to admire beautiful handmade ceramics created by two local artists.
As you continue driving further up the mountain, you will reach Apeiranthos, one of the oldest villages in Naxos. This marble village features marble paved alleys, stone built houses, churches and towers.
As for the food scene, you’ll be spoiled for choice with numerous traditional tavernas both in Chalki and Apeiranthos. We had a delicious lunch at Paravas, a traditional taverna in Chalki.
VISIT THE TEMPLE OF DEMETER AND THE BAZEOS TOWER
Only 10km from Naxos Town, you will find the Temple of Demeter dating back to the 6th century BC. If you enjoy the ancient Greek mythology and religion, you should definitely see this temple dedicated to Demeter, the goddess of harvest and fertility.
Bazeos Tower, built around the 17th century, is another historical landmark in this area. It used to be a monastery, but nowadays it functions as a cultural center displaying art work by modern artists and hosting music and theatrical performances. You can look up a schedule of upcoming performances at Bazeos Tower online; it appears to be a fantastic venue for an evening session with live music or a show.
Crete and Naxos are both excellent choices for a Greek island getaway. Whether you visit one island or both, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable summer in Greece.
