Location
Useful info about the area and surroundings
The area around the Queen Electra Residence
Alikianós Chania: A small village that is located just 12km away from Chania Town. En route to Alikianós, visitors will cross the stone bridge that sits across the River Keritis, which has been there since 1908. This is a particularly nice spot to stop and have a picnic or just enjoy the rustic natural charm.
Found in the most fertile area on the island of Crete, Alikianós has a stunning number of orange trees and other greenery. The main profession of the locals is cattle-breeding and agriculture and it consists of both traditional and modern stone-built houses. You will in the middle of the village the square is home to several war monuments that pay respects to the local men who fought and died for their country.
One of the most famous sights in the village is the Tower Da Molin. This was originally owned by a Middle Ages Venetian Ruler and there is a myth surrounding it that it is haunted. The myth stems from the fact a terrible crime happened within the tower during the celebrations that were held when Georgios Kantaleon, a Cretan revolutionist’s son married Da Molin’s daughter. Da Molin did not agree to the wedding and laced the wine with sleeping pills and hung the Kantaleon family members that were in attendance.
Platanias Chania
Found in western Crete, Platanias is a very popular location for holidaymakers. It is just 15 minutes’ drive from the Queen Electra Residence and 14km from Chania City. Even if you are not driving, it is easy to get there as there is a timetable of regular buses.
There is a selection of bars and restaurants and the city is known for its exciting nightlife.
The city is the perfect destination for tourists looking to enjoy stunning vistas, amazing landmarks and some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
Famus beaches
Falasarna
Falassarna is on the west coast of Crete.
Falassarna is a small resort boasting one of the best-known beaches in Chania prefecture and indeed the whole of Crete, which attracts large numbers of tourists every summer.
Falassarna Beach has won prizes for being the most beautiful beach in Crete and is always one of the top ten beaches in Europe, with its wonderful, fine white sand and warm, crystal-clear water.
The beach of Pachia Ammos is so big that it rarely feels overcrowded even in high summer, when you are surrounded by hundreds of people
Elafonisi
If you come to Crete on holiday, Elafonissi is a name you are sure to hear.
Elafonissi is a tiny island with white sand, separated from the shore by a lagoon no more than a metre deep.
Elafonissi means “deer island”, but you won’t see any deer on the island or in the surrounding area. The island is 75 kilometres from Hania and it will take you about an hour and a half to getthere.
The island is less than 200 metres from the beach and you can easily walk there through the warm, shallow water of the lagoon. On reaching the island you will discover lots of tiny beaches on its south coast.
The sand of Elafonissi is white, but in many places it is pinkish due to the thousands of broken seashells it contains. The limpid, blue-green waters will remind you of an exotic paradise.
Balos
Balos lagoon in west coast of Crete is an amazing spot to visit. It’s a must and it is totally worth its reputation. The area is built like a lagoon with very shallow waters, making it suitable for all ages.
You can arrive at Balos lagoon either by car or by boat.If you choose to travel by boat there is a tiny uninhabited island Graboussa, before you arrive to Balos lagoon, northwest of Crete, that is famous for its Venetian castle and its blue crystal clear waters.
Kedrodasos
Kedrodasos is an unknown beach near elafonisi. Kedrodasos means “Cedarwood” and is an ideal place for camping. As many people are unaware of its existence, it remains clean and quiet. The beach is
completely unorganised so make sure that you carry water and everything you need with you.
Seitan limani
Seitan Limani is a well-hidden corner of the east side of cape Akrotiri, near the airport of Chania, 20 km from the city of Chania, Crete.
There you will find a beach that differs from other beaches.The beach is completely unorganised so make sure that you carry water and everything you need with you.
Marathi
The beach Marathi is located 17 km east of Chania, in Akrotiri. It is one of the beaches in Chania that has been awarded Blue Flag. The sandy beach, in combination with shallow water and the protection from meltemi wind, due to the location of the beach, is ideal for families and children.
The beach is well organized providing visitors food and drink as well as swimming facilities (umbrellas, sunbeds, showers etc.) and lifeguard services. The beach includes infrastructure for disabled persons.
Stauros
Stavros is a seaside village located 17 km northeast of Chania, near the northern tip of Akrotiri. Characteristic of the area is the camel-shaped Vardies Mountain that rises across the village’s harbor. Scenes from the movie “Zorba the Greek”, starring Anthony Quinn, were shot on the mountain. The area has evolved into a large tourist resort, with many hotels and tourist infrastructure. Both beautiful beaches of the area contribute to its development.