Western Beaches

Western Beaches Review

Drive west from Hania to the magnificent beaches on the far coast, such as Falasarna, near Crete's northwestern tip, and Elafonisi, on the southwestern tip of the island. These are rarely crowded even in summer, perhaps because they are a bit off the beaten path. Elafonisi islet has white-sand beaches and black rocks in a turquoise sea (to get there you wade across a narrow channel). You can also head south from Hania across the craggy White mountains to explore the isolated Libyan sea villages of Paleochora, the main resort of the southwest coast, and Souyia, a pleasant collection of white-washed houses facing a long beach. Much of this section of the coast, including the village of Loutro, is accessible only by boat or by a seaside path.