Location
It’s a great spot to visit all the popular and beautiful beaches of Chania!
Platanos
NK apartment is located on Platanos. It is a picturesque village, one of the largest in the prefecture of Chania. It is located just 40 minutes from Chania and it is an ideal destination for those who wish to combine mountain and sea holidays. The village has acquired its name from a regal platanos tree (plane tree) which can be found in the center of the village square. It has been standing there fot centuries…
Life in the village is peaceful and comfortable. It is a place where both residents and visitors can find almost every product or service they may need. There are a variety of stores including bakeries, grocery stores and supermarkets. As for services there is an ATM, mechanics and petrol stations. The village residents are people who are extremely hospitable and also they are closely attached to their village and land.
Falassarna
The famous Falassarna beach is only 4 km away. Falassarna is absolutely beautiful and uniquely magical to say the least. It is an area with lovely small hotels, many taverns, which serve homemade traditional Cretan dishes, numerous beach bars for beverages or snacks while you are at the beach and coffee bars where you can enjoy your drink as you are waiting for the sun to set and the view is absolutely amazing. The sunset is probably the most impressive that you can enjoy on the island. The beach is well organized and you can find all modern amenities. You can enjoy your time by lying under the sun or you could also take part in whatever kind of water sport you like.
Ancient Falassarna
The ancient town of Falassarna was one of the major towns of Crete during the Hellenistic Era. The city was famous for its port, the only natural harbor in western Crete, built in a small lagoon. In Falasarna the archaeologists have identified parts of buildings and the acropolis overlooking the harbor with traces of strong walls. Moreover, east of the port a cemetery with 43 archaic graves has been found. The territory of Falasarna extended up to the tip of the peninsula of Gramvousa, where there was a temple. Also, a carved throne has been found within walking distance from the town, which was probably dedicated to the god of the sea, Poseidon, or was simply throne for speakers. The most interesting part of town is definitely its port, which has now elevated up to 9m from the sea surface due to the lifting of Western Crete by the earthquake of 365BC! It’s really impressive to see port facilities on land. The harbor was protected by four towers (2 of them have been identified) and the port was accessed through a narrow artificial canal. It is believed that Falassarna was a refuge for pirates. This forced the Romans to destroy the city in 69BC and seal the port forever. The town since then could not recover and regain its former glory, thus it was abandoned during the 4th century AD.
Balos – Gramvousa
Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery. The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling.
Gramvousa Island is known for its Venetian castle. Realizing its strategic location, the Venetians fortified Gramvousa Island in 1580. Some years later, however, it was destroyed by an accidental explosion in its powder store. The castle was rebuilt in 1630.
Gramvousa castle, situated in an altitude of 137 metres, was one of the better fortified castles in Crete. It was one of the few castles that remained under Venetian rule after the occupation of Crete by the Ottomans. One of the things hard to forget in the castle of Gramvousa, however, doesn’t have to do with its history: It is the amazing view to the sea. For many visitors, it is considered one of the most spectacular views you can find in Crete Island.
Elafonisi
What characterizes the area of Elafonissi and makes it such an exotic place, are the little sand islets formed, the shallow turquoise waters of the sea, which at a point looks like a lagoon, and certainly the fine white sand, pinkish at several spots because of the crushed shell powder. The whole area is an endless summer playground for young and old alike.
Elafonissi is almost a mile long and there is surprisingly much to explore lengthwise, including a fair number of small coves (naturists love them), sandy beaches and interesting rock formations towards the tip as the island stretches out into the sea and into the sunset.
Don’t miss to visit, 5km north of Elafonissi, the Chrysoskalitisa monastery. This monastery has been built on a high rock, resembling of a fortress. According to the legend, the last step of the staircase leading to the monastery is gold, but can only be seen by those who really believe in god.