Travano

Chania

When we booked our holiday to Crete, we expected beautiful beaches, great food, and plenty of sunshine. We got all of that—but we also discovered an island where cats seem to outnumber people.

Our journey began with a flight to Chania, followed by a bus ride to our hotel in Kato Stalos. After checking in, we did exactly what you’re supposed to do on your first day in Greece: head straight for the beach. A few hours of swimming, relaxing under the sun, and slowly building our holiday tan made it clear that we’d made the right choice.

Later that evening, we took the bus into Chania. Grabbing a few iced coffees on our way to the Venetian harbour which looked stunning as the sun started to set, with warm golden light reflecting off the old buildings and the lighthouse in the distance. It was one of those moments where you stop taking photos for a second just to enjoy the view.

What surprised us even more than the harbour was the number of cats. They were everywhere—in the old town, along the waterfront, around cafés, and even back at our hotel complex which I believe housed close to 100. Some confidently greeted tourists, while others simply lounged in the shade as if they owned the island. Perhaps they do.

There were plenty of restaurants alongside the harbor, I am sure the food is amazing at most of them. Dinner that evening was at Kavouras Tavern, where we enjoyed our first proper Cretan meal. Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a relaxed atmosphere made for the perfect end to our first day.

Cretan Night

The following evening brought one of the highlights of our trip: a traditional Cretan Night. Even before we arrived, we had an unexpected surprise. Our guide noticed a Greek wedding taking place near a point where we stopped and took photos of the surrounding area, as it was on top of a hill overlooking the bay and sea. Seeing a local celebration, even for just a few minutes, made the experience feel much more authentic.

The Cretan Night itself was fantastic. There was no shortage of food or drinks, and the live music quickly got everyone into the festive spirit. The dancers performed traditional routines with incredible energy, eventually inviting guests to join in. Whether you had rhythm or not didn’t really matter—everyone was simply there to have a good time.

Elafonissi Beach

On our third day, we rented a car and drove across western Crete to Elafonissi Beach. The drive itself turned out to be almost as memorable as the destination, winding through mountain villages and offering spectacular views along the way.

Elafonissi certainly lives up to its reputation in terms of natural beauty. The turquoise water and pale sand create a postcard-perfect setting, and in the right light you can even spot the famous pink hues. That said, after hearing so much hype, we left feeling that the beach was beautiful—but perhaps not quite as extraordinary as social media makes it seem. It was absolutely worth visiting, though the journey there ended up being one of our favourite parts of the day.

The drive back delivered one final surprise. Somewhere in the mountains, our car radio suddenly picked up a radio station from the United States. We have no idea how it happened, but we happily listened along as the hosts joked about Donald Trump. Catching an American station while driving through rural Crete was not something we expected, and it became one of those random travel memories that still makes us laugh.

Three days into the holiday, Crete had already given us beautiful scenery, unforgettable food, spontaneous cultural moments, countless friendly cats, and one very unexpected radio broadcast. Not a bad start at all.

Rethymno & Preveli Beach

By the fourth day, we were ready for another road trip. This time, we pointed the car east towards Rethymno. The drive itself was pleasant, but once we arrived, the heat was almost unbelievable for September. Walking through the narrow streets of the old town felt like wandering through an open-air museum—just with a lot more sunscreen and water breaks than we had anticipated.

After exploring Rethymno for a while, we continued south to Preveli Beach. Looking back, this turned out to be my favourite place in all of Crete.

It’s difficult to explain exactly why. Maybe it was the winding road leading down through the mountains, maybe it was finally catching sight of the beach after the descent, or maybe it was simply the feeling that we’d found somewhere truly special. Whatever it was, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Preveli isn’t just another beach. Surrounded by cliffs and famous for its palm forest and river meeting the sea, it feels almost like stepping into another place entirely. It had just the right amount of adventure, from reaching the beach to exploring the surrounding scenery. Along the way, we even spotted some beautiful Greek ducks peacefully enjoying the river, adding another unexpected memory to the day.

If someone asked me to recommend just one place to visit in western Crete, Preveli would be my answer without hesitation.

Our fifth day took us somewhere that appears on almost every “must visit” list for Crete

Balos Lagoon

Getting there turned out to be an adventure of its own. When we picked up our rental car that morning, the agency swapped it for an off-road vehicle because the final stretch to Balos follows a rough dirt road. After slowly making our way across the rocky track, we were rewarded with one of the most spectacular views on the island.

From above, the lagoon looked almost unreal, with shades of turquoise that barely seemed natural. Walking down to the beach only made it more impressive. While Preveli remained my personal favourite, Balos comfortably earned second place. Between the crystal-clear water, white sand, and panoramic views, it’s easy to understand why so many people make the trip.

Eventually, every holiday reaches its final chapter.

We spent our last two days taking things at a slower pace. We returned to Chania one final time, wandering through its familiar streets, picking up souvenirs to bring home, and enjoying one last dinner by the harbour as the sun disappeared behind the old Venetian lighthouse. Somehow, the sunsets seemed just as beautiful as they had on our first evening.

Of course, we also made time for the beach one last time. After a week of exploring some of Crete’s most famous destinations, relaxing by the sea without any schedule felt like the perfect way to end the trip.

As our flight home approached, we realised that Crete had given us much more than we expected. It wasn’t just the famous beaches or the postcard-worthy views that stayed with us. It was the spontaneous moments—a Greek wedding we happened to pass, cats greeting us around every corner, a random American radio station echoing through the mountains, discovering Preveli, and simply enjoying life at a slower pace.

Some holidays fade from memory surprisingly quickly. This wasn’t one of them. Even now, when I think back to Crete, I don’t remember a checklist of places. I remember how the island made me feel, and that’s probably the best souvenir we brought home.