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Beaches & Lagoons

Balos Lagoon

Wild lagoon, earned access

Elafonisi Beach (Elafonissi)

Pink sand, shallow waters

Preveli Beach

Tropical palm grove and freshwater river

Plakias

Authentic south coast, surfers and hikers

Bali Beaches

Fishing village, sheltered coves

Agia Marina

Family resort, shallow waters

Stavros Beach

The lagoon from 'Zorba the Greek'

Marathi Beach

Two sheltered sandy coves, loved by locals

Seitan Limania Beach

Secret cove, steep descent

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Towns & Coastal Villages

Chania Old Town

Venetian architecture, tourist crowds

Rethymnon Old Town

Living medieval city, less crowded than Chania

Agios Nikolaos

Chic harbour, legendary lake, hidden lanes

Platanias

Lively beach resort, long beach

Loutro & Sweet Water Beach

Car-free village, reachable only by sea

Matala

Mythic beach, hippie heritage

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Hiking & Nature

Imbros Gorge

Samaria's little sister, without the crowds

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Heritage & Flavours

Palace of Knossos

The cradle of Minoan civilisation

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery

White monastery perched above the sea

Ntounias Taverna

Wood-fire cooking at 600m

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Eastern Crete & Nature

Vai — Palm Forest

Nature reserve, end of the island