Does the idea of escaping with your partner on a romantic island getaway sound like what you need? Look no further than the island of Crete. This Greek island offers everything you want including incredible food, natural beauty, impressive architecture, and truly unique sites.
ChaniaÂ
At the top of the long island of Crete in the west, this perfect city is a maze of little alleys, charming old stone architecture, and increasingly trendy little restaurants and bars for two. Nearby, beautiful beaches draw couples to the sand. For a more remote excursion, a day trip to the ancient site of the Dictynnaion next to one of Crete’s ‘horns’ can allow lovers to feel shipwrecked with nothing to do but have fun in the crystal clear waters, right down to the local caique . return before dark for a timely rescue.
A walk through the old port of Chania is full of bright lights, the lighthouse and the chords of the wildest traditional music of Crete compete with the most modern music. Then relax in a luxurious hotel room filled with textiles inspired by the indulgent Venetian period on the island. Chania is also easy to get to and can be reached directly from many international flights from the rest of Europe via Chania International Airport.
Low
For cowardly romantics, there is no better place on earth than the coastal town of Matala far down the southern coast of Crete, especially during its annual festival honoring its vivid hippie past of the time. That happens around the summer solstice weekend each year, when the temporary population increases to 40,000 or more and the long growing beach is packed with visitors. Peace signs abound, buses and rainbow-painted VW bugs pose for photos, and the music never stops all night. It won’t be a place for a quiet couples getaway, but for those who want something memorable, it can’t be beat.
The rest of the year, it is a somewhat touristy but charming destination, famous for its mysterious caves that provided accommodation for famous musicians, including Joni Mitchell.
Matala also has one of the most important nude beaches in Greece, Red Beach, right up the hillside via a rocky but manageable half-hour hike that can be a great couples bonding experience in itself. Just don’t forget your sunscreen, and bring a few euros for sun loungers on this increasingly civilized stretch of clothing-optional sand. In the tourist season, the beach can also be reached by small boats from Matala. A romantic option for dining nearby: Pizza Ariadne’s open-air, wood-fired, candle-lit restaurant located in Kamilari is worth the drive, even if you get a bit lost along the way.
The long string of cheerful little nightclubs with live music along the east side of Matala Bay also means that you won’t have to go far for a fun night out in Matala.
RethymnoÂ
One of the most beautiful night walks in Greece is along the fortress causeway in the city of Rethymno. Extend the hippie experience started in Matala by taking rooms at Olga’s, another holdover or haven from the 1970s hippie years along winding Shoemaker’s Street. Nearby nouveau and traditional Greek restaurants offer all kinds of dining options.
Less well known than Heraklion or Chania, rooms in Rethymno tend to be exceptionally good value. Its central location at the junction of two of Crete’s main roads make it an ideal hub for exploring the rest of the island, possibly by renting a motorcycle – Greece’s challenging roads will definitely bring most couples very close, in less for the duration of the trip.
Bali
Crete has its own little coastal town called Bali, just off the beaten track but still easy to find. The beaches are beautiful and there is a pleasant sense of isolation in this place.
