Voulisma beach Agios Nikolaos Greece Crete – Voulisma beach is a fantastic beach with crystal clear water and white sand. Voulisma Beach is a good beach where you can relax on the sunbed, walk along the beach’s shoreline, swim, and do many other activities.
It’s only 15 minutes by car from Agios Nikolaos, in the northeast part of the island. It’s a beach that is easy to reach by car: the car park in front of Voulisma beach is quite big and free, so you should not have any problem parking the car.
In front of Voulisma beach, there is also a bus stop you can arrive at this beach also by bus. Anyway, I don’t recommend using the buses in Crete because the bus time is not really trustable and often the bus arrives late.
Do you want to see Voulisma Beach? Do you also want to know what you can do in Agios Nikolaus and this area? No problem! You can watch a video in the next subtitle showing the beach, Agios Nikolaus, and this area.
Video
Watch the following video! In addition to seeing Voulisma beach, you can better understand where it is, how to get there, and how much it costs to hire sunbeds and umbrellas.
Hi everybody! We have arrived at Voulisma beach in Crete, Greece. This is one of the best beaches you can find in the northeast part of the island.
This beach is very close to Agios Nikolaus because it’s only about 15 minutes by car from this city. This is also an excellent area where to stay because Agios Nikolaus is a lovely city. It offers different activities to do, boat tours and there are also good restaurants.
The roads in this area are also good and you don’t have long dirt roads to get to the beach, such as the one to get to Balos Beach or mountain roads with many hairpins bends as to get to Elafonisi Beach.
That’s why we can prefer the car to get to Voulisma beach. The car park in front of Voulisma beach is quite big and free, so you should not have any problem parking the car.
In front of Voulisma beach, there is also a bus stop so you can arrive at this beach also by bus. Anyway, I don’t recommend using the buses in Crete because the bus time is not really trustable and often the bus arrives late.
Now let’s go down to the beach to enjoy the beauty of Voulisma Beach.
As you can see, there are sunbeds and umbrellas to rent, and we’ll also find out the prices in a few moments.
According to the kind and position, the cost of two sunbeds and one umbrella is between 10 and 20 euros.
Let’s now walk on Voulisma beach to see more and appreciate its beauty.
With this clear water, we can’t resist; we have to swim. So in the meantime, we greet you and see you in the next video! Bye.
Voulisma beach Photo Gallery
In the following photo gallery, you can see the beauty of this beach.
Lagoon Crete Balos Beach how to get there & ultimate guide. This beach is one of Crete’s most characteristic and well-known beaches, but there are some things you should know before going there. For example: how to get there? Is it better to go by boat or by car? How is the dirt road that leads to Balos Lagoon? Are there sunbeds and umbrellas on Balos beach? Are there bathrooms? Is there a bar?
This post will answer these and other questions related to the Balos lagoon and beach.
Video Crete Balos Beach
Watch the following video before continuing reading.
Crete Balos Beach ALL you need to KNOW BEFORE visiting Balos Beach
Video Content
00:00 INTRO
02:15 Are there sunbeds and umbrellas on Balos beach that can be rented?
02:58 Is there a bar at Balos Beach?
03:38 Are there toilets at Balos Beach?
04:05 How to get to Balos Beach, by boat or by car?
04:21 Balos beach by boat
05:57 Do the boat tours go directly to Balos beach?
06:34 Gramvousa beach & Things to do at Gramvousa Island
07:19 Balos cliffs
08:01 Disadvantages of the Balos boat tour
08:57 Balos beach by car
09:14 Balos beach dirt road
15:37 Balos beach hiking and walking from the parking
16:54 Balos beach trail viewpoint
18:16 Balos beach Crete hike
20:20 How to get to Balos beach other than by boat and car?
21:16 Suggested videos
Text of the video
Hi everybody!
In front of us, the Balos Beach and the Balos Lagoon.
This beach is one of Crete’s most characteristic and well-known beaches and is worth at least one visit.
A strip of sand is placed between crystal clear sea water and a lagoon, the Balos lagoon.
This beach is suitable for those who like to walk in the water as the sea is very shallow and you can walk for a long time before swimming.
As you can see, however, this beach is not located near the town as it remains in an isolated area.
So there are some questions that we want to find an answer to in this video.
Are there sunbeds and umbrellas on Balos beach that can be rented?
Is there a bar?
Are there toilets?
How to get to Balos beach? By boat? By car?
Let’s start by answering to the simplest questions:
Are there sunbeds and umbrellas on Balos beach that can be rented?
Yes there are sunbeds and umbrellas but they are not reservable.
How does it work then?
As usual in Crete, if you find available sunbeds, you have to occupy them, and then the attendant comes to you for the payment.
Is there a bar?
Yes, there is a small bar on Balos beach.
However, I recommend you bring your lunch if possible.
The supermarkets in Kissamos sell the same pre-packaged sandwiches you can find on the beach or in the self-services on the boats to Balos.
Are there toilets?
Yes, there are toilets in Balos, but they are against a fee.
They are located towards the mountain on the right if you have the sea in front of you and the lagoon behind you. The cost of using the toilet in August 2022 was 1 euro
Now let’s answer a question everyone has to ask before coming to Balos.
How to get to Balos Beach?
By boat or by car?
Let’s see together some aspects of the 2 options.
Balos by boat
A good option to reach Balos beach is by boat, thanks to the boat tours from the port of Kissamos.
You can get to the port of Kissamos by bus, taxi, or car.
Since Balos is a famous beach, several organized tours leave in the morning from the main towns of Crete and take you by bus to the port of Kissamos.
You can also use a taxi but the best option to get to the port of Kissamos is by car.
Puoi anche usare un taxi, ma l’opzione migliore per raggiungere il porto di Kissamos è l’auto.
The car parking is big, free and close to the ticket office and the boats.
You can buy the boat tickets directly at the port or online in advance.
Do the boat tours go directly to Balos?
The tours to Balos include more than just Balos beach.
Depending on the departure time of your boat, you may go first to Gramvousa island and then to Balos or vice versa.
An advantage of choosing the boat to go to Balos is that in this way, you also go to Gramvousa Island.
On Gramvousa island, you can relax on the Gramvousa beach and swim.
Or you can visit the Gramvousa Fortress.
Another advantage of choosing the boat to go to Balos is that in this way, you can admire the cliff of the cape and peninsula where Balos beach is located.
A disadvantage of the boat tours that include Balos is the limited time spent at Balos beach.
In this limited time, you also have to include the time to disembark and embark on the boat and also the time to find a place on a beach that could already be crowded, especially during the high season.
And if instead of the boat we want to choose the car?
If you go by car, you can spend as much time as you want at Balos beach, but going to Balos beach by car is a real adventure.
Be sure to have a car suitable for the dirt road to Balos Beach and with full insurance.
In Kissamos, you can also rent a Jeep for only one day.
How is the road for Balos?
The road to Balos is asphalted only in the first part because most of the road is dirt.
To go on the dirt road to Balos, you must pay a ticket for each person.
The road to Balos takes about half an hour or 45 minutes by car.
We’ve now arrived at the parking: we pay and park the car.
When the car park is complete, the cars are also parked along the street.
Once you’ve parked your car, your hiking begins.
First, you have to walk a path
And then a long staircase awaits you.
The staircase steps are irregular, and It’s better to wear suitable shoes such as sneakers.
The staircase is long but descending it is quite pleasant, mainly thanks to the beautiful panorama in front of you.
This beautiful view is one of the advantages of coming to Balos beach by car.
Another advantage is that you can enjoy Balos beach at times when it is not too crowded yet and is not overrun by the people who come by boat.
If the descent is pleasant, we cannot say the same about the ascent.
The ascent is long and tiring, especially in the day’s hottest hours.
However, it is not a mission impossible.
If you have small children, you have to think you’ll likely have to help them ascend or carry them.
You can also come to Balos Beach by renting a boat or taking an organized boat tour in a speedboat or jet ski from Falasarna beach.
We’ve now arrived at Balos Beach. A beautiful day at this fantastic beach awaits us. So I greet you. See you in the next video!
Bye!
Balos beach
This beach is one of the most characteristic and well-known beaches of Crete. You can get to this beach by boat or car, along a long unpaved, bumpy road that allows you to get to a parking lot that is still about twenty minutes from the beach.
The beauty and uniqueness of Balos beach are worth a visit at least. A tip though: if you can go in periods that are not too hot and crowded, you will surely enjoy a much better experience. This is true for all beaches but even more so for Balos beach, given the way you have to reach it.
balos beach trail viewpoint Balos beach balos lagoon from above path Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 1
balos beach trail viewpoint Balos beach balos lagoon from above path Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 2
balos beach trail viewpoint Balos beach balos lagoon from above path Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 3
Balos beach balos lagoon from above path Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 6
Balos beach balos lagoon WATER SEA ocean Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 1
1 Balos beach balos lagoon from above path Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 1
stairs to balos beach trail viewpoint Balos beach balos lagoon from above path Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 1
beaches Crete Balos Beach tripilare 9
beaches Crete Balos Beach tripilare 4
beaches Crete Balos Beach tripilare 3
Rental of sun loungers and umbrellas
In Balos, it is possible to rent deck chairs and umbrellas. Even though Balos is a very popular beach, it is not possible to reserve sun beds and umbrellas. How does it work, then? As is customary in Crete, if you find a free place, you simply have to occupy it and the attendant then comes to ask you for payment.
Crete Balos Beach Rental of sun loungers and umbrellas 3
Crete Balos Beach Umbrellas and sunbeds rent
Crete Balos Beach Umbrella and sunbeds rent
Crete Balos Lagoon and Balos Beach with ombrellas and sunbeds
Crete Balos Beach Rental of sun loungers and umbrellas 1
Crete Balos Beach Rental of sun loungers and umbrellas 2
For example, in periods of particular crowding, such as around mid-August, there is a paying agent for each area of umbrellas. On other less frequented beaches, the attendant arrives in the late morning but here, when there is a particular influx of tourists, they are practically always present.
Will I have trouble finding a free umbrella?
Clearly, the answer depends on the period in which you go to Balos. But thinking about the peak seasons, I can tell you that if you arrive early in the morning or around 9 am by car you shouldn’t have any problems finding a free umbrella. If, on the other hand, you arrive by boat from the port of Kissamos, you may have more problems, as the beach may already be quite crowded and the mass arrival of hundreds of people does not facilitate the arduous task of finding a free umbrella.
Crete Balos by boat from Kissamos: a lot of people come on board the boat
Fortunately, on the beach of Balos, many people are arriving but also many people go, depending on the departure time of your boat. So with a bit of patience, it is always possible to find a place.
If you come from Kissamos by boat, the alternative is to rent an umbrella on the boat that takes you or to use your staff. Anyway, my opinion is that it is not an optimal solution on days when there is wind.
Rental prices for sunbeds and umbrellas
The prices for renting sun loungers and umbrellas are not indicated on Balos beach. However, in August 2022, the prices were as follows:
20 euros for 1 umbrella and 2 sunbeds in the first row
15 euros for 1 umbrella and 2 sunbeds from the second row onwards.
Are there any bars in Balos?
Yes, there is a small beach bar on Balos. Here is the picture.
However, I recommend that you bring your lunch if possible. In Kissamos supermarkets, they sell the same packaged sandwiches you find on the boat to go to Balos or here at the beach bar.
Balos Beach toilets: Are there toilets at Balos beach?
Balos Beach toilets: are there toilets at Balos beach? Yes, there are toilets in Balos. They are located towards the mountain on the right if you have the sea in front of you and the lagoon behind you. The cost of using the toilet in August 2022 was 1 euro.
Crete balos beach toilets 1
Crete balos beach toilets 2
Crete balos beach toilets 3
Crete balos beach toilets 4
How is the seawater in Balos?
On days with little wind, you can really appreciate the beauty of Balos beach with its crystal clear water and its clear seabed that in some places has pink sand.
In Balos, you can keep walking in the water, but the water is always shallow. You have to go quite far from the beach if you want to swim.
Balos how to get there?
How to get to Balos? You can get to Balos either by car or by boat. The two most used ways to get to Balos are:
by boat service departing from the port of Kissamos
by car or jeep along the dirt road and continuing on foot along the path that leads to the beach
However, there are other ways to get to Balos:
By renting a boat
In JetSky
Through organized tours
By car or jeep and dirt road
You can get to Balos by car in fact, just outside Kissamos, there is the entrance to the dirt road that takes you to the Balos car park. If you are thinking of choosing this option to go to Balos, I would first like to explain how to get there, how the route is, and I would like to give you some useful tips.
Crete dirt road to Balos beach and Lagoon 3
Crete dirt road to Balos beach and Lagoon 1
Crete dirt road to Balos beach and Lagoon 2
Can I take the dirt road to Balos by car?
Every day there are a lot of cars driving the dirt road to Balos. The dirt road to Balos is not very dangerous if you pay particular attention to the points where there is the overhang, as it is wide enough to pass with two cars without problems.
My advice, however, is to prefer the jeep to the car. This is because it is true that cars can drive on it and as already mentioned there are many cars of all kinds that pass along this road (I also saw a Porsche but I don’t know how it went ..) but the road is bumpy and they have to travel at a very low speed.
Balos beach how to get there: dirt road
Especially if you have a small car unsuitable for certain routes, you can rent the jeep in Kissamos even just for the day you go to Balos. This way, you will not have problems with insurance and you’re safer.
In fact, you can find rental cars in Kissamos that rent jeeps for Balos; it is normal for them that you go to Balos, and they give you full insurance. Other car rentals may discourage you and tell you to prefer the boat to the car to go to Balos.
Crete Balos Beach How to get there Rental car Kissamos and jeep rental for Balos 1Crete Balos Beach How to get there Rental car Kissamos and jeep rental for Balos 2
Is the dirt road to Balos free?
You have to pay 1 euro per person. Towards the beginning of your journey on the dirt road that leads you to Balos you will find the sign where it is written in English and Greek what I report below:
“Welcome to the Gamvousa-Balos peninsula, a protected natural area. We inform you that by the decision of the Municipality of Kissomos, which has been approved by the Region of Crete, a toll of 1 euro per person is required for the purpose of safeguarding and maintaining the place as well as for the disposal of waste from the area. “
How long does it take to travel the dirt road to Balos?
Getting from the port of Kissamos to the car park for Balos takes about 30 minutes by jeep but if you have a car, you have to go slower and it can also take about 40 or 45 minutes.
On the way, you may slow down or have to stop to let goats pass, the real masters of the place!
Parking at Balos Beach
Once you have arrived at the end of the dirt road, you’ll see the car park gate for Balos beach. The parking is large and if you don’t arrive too late, let’s say in the first half of the morning, you should find the place without difficulty.
Parking is not free but the cost is not high as it is around 2 euros for the whole day.
What happens if you can’t find a place in the car park? If the parking is complete, the alternative is to leave the car along the road. In fact, on our return from the beach, when were leaving, there was a long line of parked cars. If you park the car very far away, it is certainly inconvenient, as you have to add the road to the car to the long distance you already have to go on foot.
Crete Balos beach cars parked along the dirt road 1
Crete Balos beach cars parked along the dirt road 2
Balos beach cars parked along the dirt road and car park entrance
Balos hiking path to the beach
Did I get to Balos beach once I parked the car? It would be nice but it isn’t! Unfortunately, once you parked your car, you are not yet arrived at Balos beach. The car park is located in a higher position than the beach of Balos, and to reach the beach, you must first walk a path in the middle of almost nowhere in the company of practically only goats and then go down a long flight of steps.
The descent along the steps is wonderful because, first of all, the effort is reduced to a minimum downhill, and then because this path allows you to see the most beautiful view of Balos beach. The unique beauty of Balos beach is, in fact, given by its characteristic of being placed between the lagoon and the sea and of joining the promontory you see in front of you to the mainland.
crete balos beach trail viewpoint Balos beach balos lagoon from above path Crete things to do Top beaches Crete tripilare 3
Crete Balos Lagoon and beach. View from above 3
Crete Balos Lagoon and beach. View from above 1
Crete Balos Lagoon and beach. View from above 2
To fully enjoy and appreciate Balos beach, you must therefore admire this panorama. If you walk the path early in the morning, you will be able to see the almost deserted beach and admire it in all its splendor. Along the way, you will also have the opportunity to take some great photos. Not too many though, otherwise now that you get to the beach, you will find all the best sunbeds and umbrellas occupied!
Given the road ahead, I highly recommend you wear sneakers. The descent in this way is simpler and safer, without thinking about the ascent.
It takes about 30 minutes to get from the car park to the beach where there are umbrellas.
As we have seen so far, everything is fine when you go down but the problem is to go back up! It will take you between 30 and 45 minutes to get back up if you don’t stop and rest for too long. In fact, this path requires excellent resistance if done all in one breath.
It is almost impossible to do it all in succession in the summer during the hottest hours of the day. In fact, precisely for this reason, you will find small covered corners and therefore with a little shade made on purpose to rest during the ascent. I recommend you bring some water with you to quench your thirst along the way.
return from Balos beach along the path to the parking lot
Also at the end of the path, where there is the car park, there is a canopy with benches where you can sit and rest for a while. At the end of the day, almost all of them sit under this canopy, a little tired but satisfied to have arrived.
If you have young children, you must take into consideration that you will probably have to carry them in your arms or on your shoulder for most of an already tiring journey.
Precisely a cause of this problem of the somewhat tiring ascent, many people choose to return to the Balos beach late in the evening. In the summer from Kissamos, you can see the cars returning from Balos even when it’s already dark. Returning late from Balos beach, you can avoid going up the path in the heat, which already gives you a great advantage.
Of course, the choice of time to return from Balos also depends a lot on the period in which you go, if warmer or milder, on your travel program, and on your resistance in the ascent. However, if you take into account the above, you can spend a beautiful day at Balos beach and this will certainly be a day to remember for various reasons.
Balos boat trip from Kissamos
A popular option to reach Balos beach is to embark from Kissamos port on one of the boats that go to Balos.
You can reach the port of Kissamos in various ways:
by bus
by taxi
by car
Balos is a very famous beach, so there are several organized tours that depart in the morning from the main towns of Crete and take you to the port of Kissamos and then you can go to Balos. Furthermore, a taxi service is also available at the port of Kissamos.
Harbor of Kissamos where boat tours depart for Balos beach. Here we see parked buses and the ticket office for the boat tours.
However, the best option to get to Kissamos port is the car.
Crete Kissamos port and parking where you can get the boat tour for Balos Beach
In fact, you can arrive by car at the port of Kissamos right near the ticket office and boarding areas. The parking is very large and free.
Harbor of Kissamos Crete
Harbor or port of Kissamos Crete Greece 2
Harbor or port of Kissamos Crete Greece 1
Boat tickets
Boat tickets can be purchased directly at the port or online in advance. You can buy tickets online, for example, on the Cretan Daily Cruises website, or from booking apps such as “Get Your Guide”.
Ticket office boat tour for Balos Beach Crete
How are the boats for Balos?
The boats to Balos are of different sizes; someone is very big, almost ships. On the boats, among other things, there is usually an umbrella rental service and a real self-service.
Crete boat tours departing from the harbor of Kissamos to Balos Beach 3
Crete boat tours departing from the harbor of Kissamos to Balos Beach 1
Crete boat tours departing from the harbor of Kissamos to Balos Beach 2
Crete boat tours departing from the harbor of Kissamos to Balos Beach 4
If the boat you get on in the morning does not have self-service, they usually make you change boats between one stop and the other around lunchtime so that you can take advantage of the self-service. Lunch is clearly not included in the cost of the ticket.
How long before departure do I have to arrive?
If you already have a ticket, you can arrive 30 minutes before departure but it is advisable to arrive 45 minutes earlier. This way, you can find a good shade seat on the boat.
If you do not have a ticket, it is better if you arrive 45 or 50 minutes before departure so that you can take your tickets calmly and get on the boat.
Is there only one boat departure time?
No, there is more than one boat departure time.
Do the boats go directly to Balos?
The tour with the boats departing from Kissamos does not only include Balos. Depending on the departure time of your boat, you could go first to Gramvousa island and then to Balos or vice versa.
Cruise schedule to Gramvousa Island and the lagoon of Balos Beach Crete Boat tour from Kissamos
For example, our boat left at 10.15 am from Kissamos port and we didn’t go directly to Balos but we went first to Gramvousa island. Around 1 pm, the boat with the self-service on board came to pick us up and we were able to have lunch on the way between the island of Gramvousa and the beach of Balos.
arrival by boat to the beach of Balos Crete beautiful colors of the water 3
arrival by boat to the beach of Balos Crete beautiful colors of the water 1
arrival by boat to the beach of Balos Crete beautiful colors of the water 2
Crete Balos Beach sea water
The boat that left Kissamos at 11 am went first to Balos and then to the island of Gramvousa at around 2 pm.
On Balos beach between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm, there is therefore a bit of overcrowding due to those who arrive with one boat and those who have yet to leave with the other. However, this coming and going of passengers allows those arriving with the second boat to find, with a little patience, some free umbrellas, left by those who have to leave.
How long is the stay on Balos beach?
The stay on Balos beach is about a couple of hours. It is true that on the program, the scheduled time on Balos beach is more but you must keep in mind any delays, the time of disembarkation, and the fact that you must leave your position on the beach a little earlier than the departure time. departure so that you have no problems.
boat departing from Balos beach Crete Greece
By renting a boat
To get to Balos, you can also rent a boat and head directly to the beach. In this case, however, the boat must remain beyond the safety line. In any case, the bottom of the beach is very shallow and you can reach the beach on foot.
Crete – How to get to Balos: renting a boat
In JetSky
Very interesting is the JetSky Safari proposed by “Falassarna Activities” ( https://falassarnaactivities.gr/#safari ). This Safari departing from Falassarna beach allows you to reach Balos beach as a group on board a jet ski.
The stay at Balos beach is very limited but I think this tour is interesting for those who want to go on a jet ski ride and see Balos beach at the same time.
Organized tours
Various private services take you to Balos beach. For example, always at Falassarna beach, you can find a private transport service that takes you to Balos beach and allows you to stay on the beach for a few hours (https://falassarnaactivities.gr/#safari).
Speedboat that takes you from Falassarna beach to Balos (black speedboat)
To get to the beach, you still have to get into the water and walk in the water to the shore.
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What are the best things to do in Algarve? Here is a list of towns you should visit and their main attractions or places of interest.
Albufeira
Center of the town
Tunnel between the 5 de Outubro Street and Bathing Beach
Beach
Elevated waterfront street
Clock tower
Carvoeiro
Beach
Walkway and promenade
Dry Algar
Center of the country
Lagos
beautiful center with shops good for shopping
walk along the river
Ponta da Bandeira Fort
Ancient city gate: Sao Goncalo Door
marina
Portimao
Beautiful walk on Praia da Rocha thanks to wooden walkways
Belvedere overlooking Praia da Rocha on the left and Praia dos Tres Castelos on the right
Walk to the Lighthouse
Street on the seafront where you find hotels, shops and restaurants.
Portugal Algarve when to go?
The truth is that the Algarve is an extraordinary place, and every season is good for a visit. However, I advise visiting it in winter or spring when the beaches are not too crowded yet, and you can better enjoy the beauty of these places.
The mild temperatures allow you to wear a short-sleeved T-shirt even in winter, especially when you’re on the beach in the sun, perhaps in the late morning and early afternoon.
Algarve in August?
If you are considering visiting Algarve in August, you certainly want to know the best beaches.
The beaches of Algarve Portugal are very famous for their scenographic impact. On most of the beaches, the water is very clear. The problem is that the water temperature is very cold despite the fact that Algarve in August is hot. For example, the water temperature in the summer is between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius (between 59 and 64.4 ℉).
The climate of the Algarve is always mild, with temperatures in winter, in the months of December and January, reaching up to 20 degrees. In general, the climate of the Algarve is very pleasant even in winter, and when you are in the sun during the central hours of the day, you can even wear just a short-sleeved shirt. However, the temperature drops by about 10 degrees in the evening, so it is better to cover up properly.
The ocean water is cool in winter, but on the other hand, even in the middle of August, the ocean is cold, and only the warmest can swim!
Algarve weather January temperatures
Algarve weather January temperatures:
Algarve weather January temperatures 20230110 112144 Weather
Algarve weather January temperatures 20230113
Algarve weather January temperatures 20230118
Algarve weather January temperatures 20230111
Lagos
Lagos is a lovely city. First of all, Lagos has a very nice city center where you can walk and find many shops and restaurants. Lagos is a perfect place for your shopping if you want to buy gifts for your friends or something for you to bring back home as a souvenir. In this area, you can find many products and accessories made by cork.
Lagos is also divided by a river, and along this river, there is a beautiful walk where you can relax and enjoy the city.
We also have ancient points of interest in this area, such as the Ponta da Bandeira Fort or the Sao Goncalo Door.
What about the beach? We are along the Algarve coast, so there is also an amazing beach!
Don’t miss the Ponta da Piedade panoramic point when you are in Lagos: it’s unique. It’s easily reachable by car.
Thanks to the city center and all the points of interest, Lagos is a good idea for your travel destination also in winter.
Lagos City center
What are some of the main streets to visit in Lagos? Here are some of them:
R. Infante de Sagres 35, 8600-728 Lagos, Portugal
Praça Luís de Camões, 8600-302 Lagos, Portugal
Platz Gil Eanes, Praça Gil Eanes, 8600-657 Lagos, Portugal
Av. dos Descobrimentos 5, 8600-645 Lagos, Portugal
Ponta da Bandeira Fort
Building of Public Interest. Military architecture from the 17th century Situated at the entrance to the harbor o the Ribeira de Bensafrim, the Fort of Na. Sra. da Penha de Franca was built between 1680 and 1690. It was used t defend access to the quay and the south-eastern and eastern sections of the town walls, by cross-firing with the Porta da Vila Bulwark and the Governors’ Castle Bulwark.
In its time, the fort was one of the most advanced fortresses in the Algarve. It stands out for its quadrangular plan and for being particularly low with thick walls on the seafront, a good example of military architecture used for artillery warfare.
The moat can be crossed by means of a drawbridge (rebuilt) leading to the only door The cylindrical sentry boxes were added during 20th-century restoration works. The small Chapel of Santa Barbara is covered in 17th-century tiles.
Sao Goncalo Door
National Monument. Military architecture from the 14th century. As part of the Cerca Velha, the main entrance is flanked by two barbican towers, in keeping with Islamic fortresses.
This was the main access to the quay of the late medieval town in the 15th and 16th centuries. The main East-West axis of the town (nowadays Rua Miguel Bombarda) ended, which connected the port to the upper district where the Parish Church of Santa Maria da Grata was located.
Parking area
A free and very convenient parking for visiting the center of Lagos up to the marina or the beach is the following: Aparcamiento Público R. Infante de Sagres 104, 8600-686 Lagos, Portugal.
Albufeira
Albufeira was conquered from the moors during the reign of D. Alfonso III and was placed under military authority by Avis. D. Manuel I granted independent rule in 1504. Albufeira remained an active fishing village for centuries. In 1986 it was promoted to a town and is today an important tourist center.
Center of the town
The pedestrian center of the Albufeira is nice to see, and here you can also do your shopping, maybe buying something to bring back home with you, some gift for your friends, or simply something for you to remember your holiday in Algarve.
Despite Lagos having more shops than Albufeira in the city center and, for me, Lagos it’s the perfect town for your shopping, Albufeira offers a good balance between a shopping and tourist town and a beautiful natural environment when you are on the beach.
One of the main streets of the Albufeira center is 5 de Outubro street.
5 de Outubro street Albufeira Portugal things to do in Algarve weather towns
Tunnel between the 5 de Outubro Street and Bathing Beach
I like this tunnel because it allows you to get to the beach from the city center. You walk in the center, and it’s enough to walk in this tunnel to see while as you approach the exit the beach more clearly. The first time you do that it’s a very good surprise.
In Albufeira, there are also signs where you can read the history of the main points of interest of the city. For example, on the tunnel sign, we read what follows.
In September of 1932, the Albufeira’s Initiative and Tourism Commission received authorization from the Ministry of Public Works, Engineer Duarte Pacheco, to begin excavating works to open a tunnel and connect the 5 de Outubro Street to Bathing Beach. Although the work was finished in June of 1935, only a year later, its official inauguration took place.
Beach
Albufeira beach is a beautiful vast, and long beach, and it’s the perfect place to relax both in summer and winter.
Albufeira beach in winter Portugal things to do in Algarve weather townsAlbufeira beach in winter Portugal things to do in Algarve weather towns 2
Clock Tower
It is considered the ex-Libris of the city, situated on Jose Bernardino Sousa Street and Republica Square, in an old Muslim tower and integrated into the building of the old jail. It was part of the defensive line of the Albufeira Castle, built by the Muslims to protect the main gate. In the 20th century, a wrought iron crown was added at the top to support the hour bell, and on the west wall of the tower, there is the clock. It is lit up at night.
Parking area
Free and very convenient parking for visiting the center of Albufeira and walking to the beach is the following: Free Public Parking R. Maria Teresa Semedo de Azevedo 1, Albufeira, Portugal.
Carvoeiro
Parking area
A free and very convenient parking space for visiting the center of Carvoeiro and walking to the beach is the following: Parque de estacionamento R. do Barranco 78 8400, Carvoeiro, Portugal.
However in Carvoeiro there are other options and areas to park your car. In fact, if you want a free car park that is very close to the footbridge and promenade that takes you to Algar Seco, you can opt for the car park located at the following point:
This car park is located in the area of the Fortress of Our Lady of the Incarnation: Estr. do Algar Sêco 1, Carvoeiro, Portugal.
On the other hand, if you only want to visit Argar Seco and park directly in front of it, you can use the following car park: Parque de estacionamento Estr. do Algar Seco, Carvoeiro, Portugal.
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Mononaftis beach Agia Pelagia Crete Greece – Mononaftis beach is a pearl among the beaches of Agia Pelagia. Agia Pelagia is often chosen for its location not too far from Heraklion, for the comforts it offers and for the rather transparent sea waters.
Beach Sea Side Resort Peninsula Resort Spa Mononaftis beach Beaches Crete things to do tripilare 4
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Beach Sea Side Resort Peninsula Resort Spa PARALIA Mononaftis beach Beaches Crete things to do tripilare 1
Mononaftis beach, in particular, is a small world where activities and people repeat themselves from day to day in a pleasant routine: after some time, you get familiar and feel almost at home.
One of the best features of Mononaftis beach, in addition to the clear water, is what lies beneath the surface of the sea: here it is very nice and fun to snorkel. In fact, here in the waters of Mononaftis, you will find different varieties of fish.
The only small negative note of this beach is that the descent into the water is a bit difficult due to the pebble beach and the dangerously slippery rocks in the water.
However, this problem is easily overcome by using opposite water shoes and a bit of experience. In fact, there are some points where it is easier to enter the sea: once these “special corridors” have been discovered, everything is simpler.
If you haven’t brought your shoes to use in the water with you from home, it’s not a problem: on the beach, you will find some shops where you can buy what you need.
Mononaftis beach is a small world, but easily accessible as you can arrive by car directly near the beach. In addition, the beach of Mononaftis is surrounded by different types of resorts.
Precisely in this regard, we insert the following video where you can see the Mononaftis beach from the Sea Side Resort at various times of the day. In front of us, besides the beach, we have another resort, the Peninsula Resort & Spa.
Crete Greece Mononaftis beach Agia Pelagia Day VS Evening VS Night. View from the Sea Side Resort & SPA
Here at Mononaftis beach, there are several paid services that you can use. First of all, we mention the rental of deck chairs and umbrellas. The rental cost in 2022 is 7 euros for two sunbeds and one umbrella in the first row and 10 for the following rows.
The higher cost of the rows starting from the second and going backward is justified by the newer and more comfortable deckchairs compared to those of the first row. As is customary here in Crete, you just need to position yourself on the chosen deckchairs and around 11 am, the attendant comes to request payment. It is possible to pay with cash, credit card, or smartphone.
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Best Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece – Chania is charming and beautiful to visit. Walking through the central streets, you don’t have the idea of being in a metropolis but rather in a characteristic place. Chania is the right combination of a historical and modern city for the tourist. But what are the best things to do in Chania and to visit?
Video Best things to do in Chania Crete & Walking Tour
Before to continue reading the post, watch the following video “Best things to do in Chania Crete & Walking Tour”. You can see the best things to do and see in Chania by day and by night.
Best Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece
Content Guide
00:00 Chania: nice town to visit
00:30 01. The Old Venetian Port
00:56 02. The Ottomans & Hassan Mosque
01:34 03. Hotels, shops, and restaurants
02:06 04. Chania by night
03:06 05. The Maritime Museum of Crete
03:35 06. The Firkas fortress
06:15 07. The Lighthouse
07:48 08. The Great Arsenal
08:25 09. The Historic center
10:58 10. Sunset in front of Lazaretta Island
12:22 Suggested videos
Text of the video
Chania is a nice town to visit. Walking through the central streets, you don’t have the idea of being in a metropolis but rather in a characteristic place. Chania is the right combination of a historical and modern city for the tourist. But what are the best things to do in Chania and to visit?
The place where you can start your visit is the Old Venetian Port. The Old Venetian Port of Chania is a must for anyone in this area of Crete. This port has a long history as the Venetians built it between 1320 and 1356 and then expanded in the 16th century.
Chania did not always remain under Venetian domination, as in 1645, it was conquered by the Ottomans. This Ottoman influence is also clearly visible in the Old Venetian Port due to the presence of the Hassan Mosque, today a clear symbol of this domination. The Mosque is no longer used for its original purpose. The former mosque is now an exhibition hall.
The port has a semicircular shape and here you can find hotels, shops, and restaurants.
The restaurants at the Old Venetian Port are suitable both for a light and delicious lunch, maybe eating a Cretan salad while you enjoy the view, and for dinner in a Cretan atmosphere.
In the evening, the lights of the buildings along the port reflect on the sea; this is a beautiful sight to see.
In the area of the Old Venetian Port there is also the Maritime Museum of Crete. The Maritime Museum of Crete was established in 1973 to house and showcase Greek and Cretan maritime traditions. The Maritime Museum of Crete is located at the entrance of the Firkas Fortress, which the Venetians built to house their prison. The Venetians used this fortress for the period from 1204 to 1645. Subsequently, the Ottomans used it for the same purpose from 1645 to 1898. The Ottomans established their Division Command here.
The Firkas fortress includes the oldest Genoese tower. The fortress includes buildings used as barracks and weapons depots while also serving as the base of the city’s military commander.
Following the Ottoman occupation, the fortress, which still retains its Turkish name “Firkas” (= barracks), was used as a military command base, barracks, and later as a prison (during the German occupation). The 1 December 1913, the flag of the Union of Crete with Greece was symbolically hung over the small watchtower.
In front of us, we have the lighthouse of the Old Venetian Port.
You can reach the lighthouse on foot with a long walk on the pier. The walk is pleasant, but especially in summer, it is better to plan to do it in the early morning or the evening, when the heat is not too intense. In fact, it is almost entirely in the sun during the day.
A place of particular interest at the Old Venetian Port is the Great Arsenal. Today this place hosts exhibitions and events.
Being the exhibitions inside, the Great Arsenal is a good idea, especially on the hot summer days when you need a break.
It’s interesting to visit both from an architectural point of view and for the exhibitions it hosts.
Once you have visited and walked along the Old Venetian Port of Chania, you can better explore the historic center of this town. You’ll discover different historical or highly characteristic places to photograph.
Among the other things you can do in Chania, there are different boat tours. One of these is the sunset boat tour to see the sunset in front of Lazaretta Island.
Coming back from the tour, you can also see the beautiful Chania by night from the boat.
In the meantime, I greet you; see you in the next video! Bye
Top 10 things to do in Chania
But what are the best things to do in Chania and to visit? Here you can find our list.
Ancient Venetian port
Firkas Fortress (free)
Streets in the center of Chania
Walk to the Venetian Lighthouse
Sunset on a sailing boat
Minoan’s World the 9D Experience
Maritime Museum of Crete
Lunch or Dinner at the Old Venetian Port
The Great Arsenal
Horse-drawn carriage ride
Old Venetian Harbor
The Old Venetian Port of Chania is a must for anyone in this area of Crete. This port has a long history as the Venetians built it between 1320 and 1356 and then expanded in the 16th century.
Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece: Old Venetian Harbor
Chania did not always remain under Venetian domination, as in 1645, it was conquered by the Ottomans. This Ottoman influence is also clearly visible in the Old Venetian Port due to the presence of the Küçük Hassan Mosque, today a clear symbol of this domination. The Küçük Hassan Mosque is no longer used for its original purpose. The former mosque is now an exhibition hall.
Crete Chania Things to do Old Venetian Harbor Kucuk Hassan Mosqu Chania
Crete Chania Things to do Old Venetian Harbor Kucuk Hassan Mosqu Chania by night 1
Old Venetian Harbor Shops Kucuk Hassan Mosqu Chania Crete Things to do 2
The port has a semicircular shape, and on one side you can find hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Its form means that in the evening, the lights of the buildings along the port reflect on the sea; this is a beautiful sight to see.
What to do in the Venetian Port of Chania?
The Venetian port, as well as being beautiful to see, is a place for walks and meeting places. Also, there are good bars and restaurants.
Most restaurants around the Antico Porto Veneziano have both a dining room inside and tables outside. Very pleasant to sit outside and enjoy the view.
View from the restaurants at the Ancient Venetian Harbor Chania Crete Greece
Harbour Balcony
There is a square that is a balcony on the Old Venetian Port.
Harbour Balcony Ancient Venetian Harbor Chania Crete Greece
Ancient Venetian Harbor walls and panoramic terrace over the walls Chania Crete things to do 1
staircase for the Ancient Venetian Harbor panoramic terrace over the walls Chania Crete things to do 1
rooftop terrace on the walls for views of the Old Venetian Harbor Chania Crete Greece 1
rooftop terrace on the walls for views of the Old Venetian Harbor Chania Crete Greece 3
This is a great vantage point of the harbor but I cannot recommend it as it is a place left to decay and does not seem completely safe.
Probably from the port, you will see someone in this raised square and you will wonder how to reach it. I leave you his position just for the sake of completeness.
Firkas Fortress
The Firkas Fortress is located near the Venetian Port and overlooks the sea.
Entrance building Maritime Museum of Crete and Firkas Fortress Chania Crete. Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece.
To access the fortress, head towards the Maritime Museum, and right next to the entrance of this museum, you will find the gate that allows you to enter the fortress’s courtyard. Access to the fortress is free.
Opening Times
Here are the opening times of the fortress.
Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece: Firkas Fortress opening times
The Venetian fortifications
The improvement of artillery technology and the expansion of the Ottoman Empire led Venice, in the mid-sixteenth century, to construct fortifications for the safety of the new parts and the port near the city of Chania. The final decision was taken in February 1538, when the Veronese engineer Michele Sanmichieli was ordered to go to Crete with clear instructions for constructing the new fortifications.
Their oldest known project dates back to 1572 and probably represents the original proposal of Sanmichieli, to whom both the design and construction are due. The alternation of bastions and system of rectilinear parts (bastion front) followed, and according to the plans, the fortifications had an almost rectangular shape, with four basic, solid, heart-shaped bastions at the corners, while the knights (knights) and also low places (low squares) were built for their further reinforcement.
Description and history of the Firkas Fortress
The Firkas fortress (Rivellino del Porto or San Salvatore). Firka Fortress, as it is known today, was built under the aforementioned program.
Firkas Fortress Chania Crete Greece. Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece.
It has a trapezoidal shape and continues the rectilinear part (curtain) of the San Salvatore bastion with a southerly and inward direction of the western basin of the port, while its northwestern part includes the oldest Genoese tower.
Genoese tower Chania. Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece
Its construction began around 1580 and was completed in the early 17th century. It is founded on rocks and protected by a thick inclined wall; loopholes were built in its circular path.
The fortress includes buildings used as barracks and weapons depots while also serving as the base of the city’s military commander. The construction of the barracks in the western wing was carried out at a later stage. It is a building with two floors and vaulted rooms and is annexed to the monastery of San Salvatore. On the jamb of the first floor, decorated with the Lion of Venice (emblem of the Serenissima Republic of Venice), there is an inscription that mentions the Governor General of Kydonia Alvise Bragadin and the date 1620.
The internal space of the fortress is formed on three levels. A vaulted cistern was built on the first level of the entrance. The second, lower level was connected to the great vaults on the north side, where the low protected loopholes were located. The third, higher level was formed by the terrace of the vaults and the highest slits were placed on it.
Following the Ottoman occupation, the fortress, which still retains its Turkish name “Firkas” (= barracks), was used as a military command base, barracks, and later as a prison. The 1 December 1913, the flag of the Union of Crete with Greece was symbolically hung over the small watchtower.
It was used as a prison during the German occupation and the civil war. From the decade of the 1950s onwards, the fortress ceased to have military use. It served as an area for cultural activities and housed the warehouses and conservation laboratories of the Ministry of Culture. In the early 1970s, the building at the entrance became the seat of the Maritime Museum of Crete.
Streets of the old town of Chania
Center of Chania: historical and characteristic corners
Once you have visited and walked along the Old Venetian Port of Chania, you can better explore the historic center of this town. You’ll discover different historical or highly characteristic places to photograph.
Venetian Fountain
The Venetian Fountain is placed in the center of the square or Platia El. Venizelou. The Venetian fountain of Chania is smaller than the Venetian fountain of Heraklion. The fountain itself is nice but the problem is that in the summer, it sometimes becomes the personal pool of the pigeons, who come here to cool off due to the great heat.
Streets of the historic center
In the historic center of Chania, there are wide pedestrian streets where you can walk, shop or rest comfortably seated in one of the bars in the center.
Streets of the historic center Chania things to do in Crete 2
Streets of the historic center Chania things to do in Crete 3
Streets of the historic center Chania things to do in Crete 4
Streets of the historic center Chania things to do in Crete 1
Square in the historic center Chania things to do in Crete
Restaurants and bars
Walking through the streets of the center of Chania, you will also find several bars and restaurants. I advise you to walk not only along the main streets but also on the narrower neighboring streets. You will find very nice and characteristic corners.
In Chania we also find several ice cream shops
There are also many ice cream shops in Chania: with the summer heat, ice cream is refreshing.
Chania: a city of contrast
The city of Chania is a city full of contrasts between the old and the new. Examples include the Starbucks coffee shop on one side and the dilapidated building on the opposite corner of the street.
Walk to the Venetian Lighthouse
We have the lighthouse in front of this semicircular part of the Old Venetian Port.
Crete Chania Things to do Old Venetian Harbor lighthouse sunset time 1
Crete Chania Things to do Old Venetian Harbor lighthouse 1
Crete Chania Things to do Old Venetian Harbor lighthouse 4
You can reach the lighthouse on foot with a long walk on the pier. The walk is pleasant, but especially in summer, it is better to plan to do it in the early morning or the evening, when the heat is not too intense. In fact, it is almost entirely in the sun during the day.
See the sunset from the boat
A great way to spend the first part of the evening in Chania is to go by boat to see the sunset in front of the small Lazaretta Island. Several tours depart in the evening from the Old Venetian Port of Chania to take you to see the sunset.
We chose to go sailing: it was a great experience because, in addition to being able to see the sunset well, it is always pleasant to take a nice boat ride and be able to observe the coast from the sea.
Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece Chania Coast from the see 5
Upon returning from the boat tour, we were already at the Ancient Venetian Port of Chania and we just needed to choose one of the excellent restaurants, or taverns as they are commonly called, to enjoy an excellent dinner and end the evening well.
Minoan’s World the 9D Experience
Minoan’s World the 9D Experience is a 9D cinema with the main theme of Crete and Knossos. This attraction is definitely not one of those things to see absolutely in Crete but it is a very pleasant, fun, and relaxing experience.
The cinema itself is not very large and as soon as you enter you will find the cash desk on the right where you can buy tickets.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for Minoan’s World the 9D Experience?
From our experience, there is no need to buy tickets in advance. Probably the location not really in the old town of Chania prevents it from being too crowded. However, it gave me the impression that it is quite popular.
The hall with the statues and paintings of Crete
Waiting for your show is very pleasant as the room where the ticket office is located is frescoed all around (and also on the ceiling) with images depicting the life, mythology and traditions of Knossos in the past.
Next to the frescoes, there are also statues, or rather mannequins, always depicting characters from Knossos in ancient times.
Also reproduced is the throne of the throne room, which you can visit at the ruins of Knossos.
Everything acquires meaning and greater value thanks to the descriptions that explain what is depicted and give you some historical notes of Knossos.
And last but not least, there is the writing “I Love Creta”. Excellent for taking a picture of yourself that will remain as a souvenir of your trip.
Things to do in Chania Crete Minoans World the 9D Experience I Love Crete
Minoan’s World the 9D Experience screenings
Once the movie time arrives, they make you sit in the cinema room. Three main mini-movies are shown one after the other:
A mini-documentary about Crete and its most beautiful places
The main part where the mythological history of Knossos is shown
A rail trip (or similar) with a multidimensional experience. As there are also in some amusement parks.
During the movies, you will wear 3D glasses, your chair will move, there will be air effects, water splashes, soap bubbles, and other similar effects.
Language Minoan’s World the 9D Experience
The screening of Minoan’s World the 9D Experience is available in various languages. However, there is not only one projection in the Greek language, one only in English, one only in French, and so on, but the language is selected directly on your chair thanks to the use of earphones. So all those present in the room wear earphones and can hear the audio in their language or, in any case, if not available in the chosen language.
How much is the ticket price?
You can see the prices in the following image. Prices August 2022.
Things to do in Chania Crete Minoans World the 9D Experience ticket prices
How long does the visit to Minoan’s World the 9D Experience last?
The visit in total does not take long. It takes between 30 and 45 minutes approximately.
Maritime Museum of Crete
The Maritime Museum of Crete is located, with the sea in front of you, at the left end of the ancient Venetian Port of Chania.
In particular, the Maritime Museum of Crete is located at the entrance to the Firkas Fortress, which was built by the Venetians to house their prison. The Venetians used this fortress for the period from 1204 to 1645.
Things to do in Chania Crete Maritime Museum of Crete
Subsequently, the Ottomans used it for the same purpose from 1645 to 1898. The Ottomans established their Division Command here.
The Maritime Museum of Crete was established in 1973 to house and showcase Greek and Cretan maritime traditions.
Crete Chania What to do view from inside the gate of the Maritime Museum of Crete
The museum exhibits show models of warships and merchant ships, weapons, shell collections, and relics from the Battle of Crete.
In the following images, you can see the opening hours of the Maritime Museum of Crete and the cost of the ticket.
Things to do in Chania Crete Maritime Museum of Crete opening hours and ticket cost
Things to do in Chania Crete Maritime Museum of Crete opening hours and ticket cost 2
Things to do in Chania Crete Maritime Museum of Crete 2
Things to do in Chania Crete Maritime Museum of Crete 3
Great Arsenal
A place of particular interest at the Old Venetian Port is the Great Arsenal. Today this place hosts exhibitions and events. It’s interesting visiting it both from an architectural point of view, and for the exhibitions it hosts.
Being a covered place to visit inside, a visit to the Great Arsenal is a great idea, especially on particularly hot days. In fact, this is a great place to take a break in the shade while expanding your culture at the same time.
things to do in Chania Crete exhibitions at the Grand Arsenal 6
things to do in Chania Crete exhibitions at the Grand Arsenal 1
things to do in Chania Crete exhibitions at the Grand Arsenal 4
things to do in Chania Crete exhibitions at the Grand Arsenal 2
things to do in Chania Crete exhibitions at the Grand Arsenal 5
Horse-drawn carriage ride
At the Old Venetian Harbor of Chania, you will also find horse carriages waiting for you to take you around the city. The carriage ride always has its charm!
Things not to do in Chania
Among the various attractions and tours offered at the Ancient Venetian Port of Chania, there is also the tour in the partially submerged submarine. This tour attracts many tourists to the idea of observing the fish in their natural habitat comfortably seated without diving.
The partially submerged submarine is a nice thing in itself, and in other contexts, I have already had the opportunity to do similar tours. The problem with this particular tour is that the tour is very limited to the port’s surroundings, and therefore, not many species of fish are seen.
Then it is not recommended for those more sensitive to seasickness because it is easy to feel discomfort in the submarine.
Chania where to stay?
There are many offers of hotels and rooms to sleep in Chania, but what to choose and above all in which area is better to stay? As for the type of hotel or room, it depends on you and your preferences.
However, I would like to advise you on the area of Chania in which to choose for the hotel. If you had only to look and consider the place’s beauty, I would recommend that you sleep in one of the hotels at the Old Venetian Port of Chania. The problem is, you can’t drive this far. Same problem for many streets of the historic center. If you have a lot of luggage, choosing a hotel in the historical center is not advisable.
Just to give you an idea, I can tell you that every day I saw many tourists who dragged their suitcases along the port, on the steps, and around the center. It is fine as long as it is hand luggage; it is less good when the luggage is heavier and bulky.
If you don’t want to lug your suitcases all over Chania, it is better to choose the hotel, not in the historic center but nearby and with parking inside or at least adjacent. In this way, you can reach the historic center of Chania and the Old Venetian Port on foot but without the hassle of parking and suitcases.
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Here some Frequent Asked Questions about the subject “Things to do in Chania town Crete Greece”
Is Chania worth visiting?
Yes, it is! Chania, despite being the second largest city of Crete, is charming. When you stroll through the central streets, you don’t have the idea of being in a metropolis but rather in a characteristic place. Chania is the right combination between a historic city and a modern city.
What is Chania Greece known for?
The best part of Chania is the Old Venetian Port, and in fact Chania is Known especially port this part of the city. This port has a long history as the Venetians built it between 1320 and 1356 and then expanded it in the 16th century. The port is semicircular, and here you can find hotels, shops, and restaurants. Its form means that in the evening, the lights of the buildings along the port reflect on the sea; this is a beautiful sight to see.
How many days do you need in Chania?
In Chania, you need two days to visit the city and also do some boat tours. If you want to visit also the nearby attractions, you can stay in Chania for 3 of 4 days.
Video 8K Lake Como Don’t Miss this town: Colorful Varenna Lake Como Italy. Lake Como is known internationally, and every year many tourists include Lake Como in their tours.
Lake Como is quite vast, and it is good to choose the right places to visit. Bellagio is one of the most famous locations on Lake Como, but another town is not to be missed.
Video Colorful Varenna Lake Como Italy
Watch the following video:
https://youtu.be/ROYqxOzYcOw?rel=0&loop=1
Video 8K Lake Como Don’t Miss this town: Colorful Varenna Lake Como Italy
Parts Of the Video
00:00 TRAILER
00:13 Departure from the “Imbarcadero”
01:19 From Varenna to Bellagio
02:33 Varenna seen from the lake
03:33 Walk of Lovers
04:14 Villa Monastero
05:20 Varenna at the sunset
05:46 Vezio Castle
06:39 Can you hear the bells of the bell tower?
06:53 Ancient port of Varenna
07:10 Walk of Lovers Varenna
07:41 Greetings
07:54 Suggested Videos
Text of the Video
Hi, We’re in the colorful Varenna in Lake Como Italy We’re on board of the boat called in Italian “battello” in front of the “Imbarcadero” which is the typical Italian boat terminal you can find in lake towns. In this way, we can admire Varenna from the lake.
The destination of the boat we are on board right now is Bellagio, another beautiful town on Lake Como. In fact, from Varenna, you can reach Bellagio by boat in only about 15 minutes.
Now let’s go back to Varenna to pick up where we left off. In front of us is the “Imbarcadero” area; on the right of the imbarcadero, we see the central part of Varenna with its colorful houses, ancient port, and bell tower.
The “imbarcadero” and ancient port are connected by a pedestrian path over the lake, also known as the “Walk of Lovers”: a beautiful panoramic pedestrian path overlooking the lake.
If you look further to the right you can see a villa surrounded by greenery. That is a villa you can visit; it’s Villa Monastero: a villa museum with a long and interesting history.
The visit to Villa Monastero includes visiting its long and beautiful botanical garden, which overlooks the lake. A nice walk along the lake in a beautiful garden.
Returning from Bellagio, we see Varenna even better, as it is right in front of us. The light and colors are slightly changed because we are now close to sunset. You can see that Varenna is between the lake and a promontory.
If you look attentively, you can see right on top of this promontory part of the castle of Varenna: Vezio Castle. Vezio Castle is a castle of middle age origin. You can admire Lake Como’s marvelous panorama from the castle tower. Vezio Castle is another thing you can visit in Varenna, but before visiting it check the opening times and periods. (see https://www.castellodivezio.it/EN/home-en.html)
It’s arrived for me the time to greet you. See you in the next video!
Lake Iseo things to do in Riva di Solto Italy. Riva di Solto is a very characteristic Lake Iseo village and retains its authenticity.
Riva di Solto is a medieval town on the western shore of the Iseo Lake: Riva di Solto has preserved, more than the other surrounding towns, its medieval urban plan, especially in the center, where it hasn’t changed much over the years.
The town is closely linked to Solto Collina, a small town on the hill not far away from Riva di Solto. Riva di Solto links the Cavallina Valley with the lake, and it used to be a fortified harbor for the town on the hill, where in 1056, the Solto family settled.
In 1221 the Castle of Solto was owned by three different branches of the Solto family: Codeferri, Colombini, and Oldrati. Since there are no specific historical documents on this topic, the archaeological data helped reconstruct the village’s history: the well-preserved architectural buildings of Riva di Solto show that the town was erected in the XIIth century, when the first houses were built.
In 1222 the town got under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Bergamo: during this period, many buildings were built by skilled craftsmen. During the XIVth century, the Foresti family took control of the town: the Foresti was a very powerful family that used to control all the area around the Iseo Lake.
In 1331 the emperor Louis IV the Bavarian founded the County of Solto, appointing Matteo Foresti as Count Palatine.
In 1427 the Carmagnola conquered the area of Sebino, which became a property of the Republic of Venice, ousting the Foresti family; at this time, Venice codified a “constitution” that would rule the Sebino area: the government was led by a captain, a Podesta and a deputy appointed by the Republic of Venice, while local people chose the mayor and the council.
In 1449 Riva di Solto and Solto rejoined Castro under Bergamo’s municipality; later on, these towns would form the Community of Solto, which included several nearby villages.
In 1742, the community broke up, and the autonomous municipality of Riva di Solto was established: it increased in demography when also the towns of Zorzino and Gargarino got under the municipality of Riva di Solto, now they became hamlets, territorial subdivisions of Riva di Solto.
Count Martinoni ordered the construction of a villa overlooking the lake and also the road that joins Riva di Solto with Tavernola: in the spring of 1909, the Bogn tunnel was built (a massive lime-stone cliff that creates a bay between Riva and Castro), and a few years later the road was opened to the public.
The town became increasingly important because of the extraction of black marble in the nearby town of Zù, a marble used to construct the Church of San Marco in Venice.
Today the marl for cement is extracted too. Starting from the last century, the town became an important touristic destination, thanks to the beauties of the Iseo Lake and its well-preserved ancient architecture.
But what are the things to do in Riva di Solto Italy?
Lago d’Iseo Riva di Solto cosa vedere?
Things to do in Riva di Solto Italy
See the town seen from the pier.
The pedestrian and panoramic lakefront
Porto Street n 4 and the private alley
Bogn
Village of Zorzino
Tower
Via Porto 4 and the private alley
Church of San Rocco
Church of SS. Hippolytus and Cassian (Gagarino)
Porto Street n 4 and the private alley
In the area between Torre Street and Cavalli Alley, some of the oldest medieval houses were built by the lake between the XIlth and Xlllth centuries. Torre Street used to be crossed by a stream flowing from the Terlera Valley, the eastern natural border protecting the country. Here the houses were built on the banks of the stream.
In Porto Street n°4, there are several medieval buildings: on the right of the arch, on the corner between two streets, used to stand a building (yellow) made of limestone coming from Riva di Solto: the stones were laid parallel using a lot of mortar; the surface has stilature (traced in the mortar) which are dated back to the XIIIth century.
At the same time, another building was built on the left side of the arch (yellow).
In Porto Street n 6H you can see the oldest pillar in the middle of the surface (yellow) made with stones laid with mortar with stilature of the XIIth century.
In the past, the pillar was part of a construction made of stones and wood: fishermen used to live here in this house. A medieval house of the XIIIth century stands on the left of the pillar: the entrance has an archivolt (brown).
On the right side of the pillar is a house (yellow and orange) similar to the house described above. Besides these buildings, there aren’t other medieval houses on the hill, with only crop fields.
In the XIIIth century, a building boom occurred in town: several houses were built, first by the lake, then on the hill. Since there was no more space to build on, constructors would link the facing sides of some houses through walls and arches: that’s why the alley is covered in part near the lake.
The barrel-vaulted roof is visible in the Cavalli, Rossetti, Crescini and Fonteno Alley; the ground floor of the houses would support the upper floors.
On the first floor, visible on the lakefront (orange), the stones of the building are linked together with a mortar and the stilature looks more regular.
On the second floor, the masonry has an archway window made of monolith stones. Also, in the western Galli Alley, there are other medieval buildings: only some parts of the masonry are well-preserved, and the others have been covered with modern plasters, so the limits of the ancient buildings are no longer visible.
Some parts of the entrance are left intact on the east side, and on the opposite side, an archivolt and a little window of the XIIIth century are still visible.
The Tower and the fortified fence
During the Middle Ages, Riva di Solto was defended by several medieval towers drawn on the coat of arms together with the image of Lake Iseo.
According to tradition, Riva di Solto used to be called The town of the seven towers, but today only four towers are left, and the only one still in good condition: is the tower on Torre Street.
Two towers were located outside of the town to defend and control the settlement: the tower of Torre Street, on the eastern shore of the lake, and, on the opposite side, the tower of Montagnola Street, which were built halfway on the hill.
Within the settlement, two towers are very close to each other: one in Rossetti Alley and the other in Cavalli Alley, both situated by the lake. The tower of Torre Street used to stand outside the town, where a stream used to flow from the Terlera Valley.
This stream was a natural limit that would protect the village; this street slopes down. The tower was strategically built by the lake to control those who would arrive in town sailing and to protect the eastern horizon against enemy attacks coming from the towns of Castro and Lovere.
Riva di Solto used to be an offensive town. The tower has been preserved in perfect condition: it is a masonry construction, which has never been restored. Its stones are made of clay from Riva di Solto: the central part of the stones and the strips were chiseled out.
The strips are used to frame the blocks irregularly: this technique is called “rustication”; the stones were laid parallel using mortar. Skilled craftsmen built the tower. At the top of the tower are some well-preserved parts of pillars, though not covered by any roof; there is no access to the building, but it is widely supposed that it had three floors connected through some trap doors and some wooden ladders.
On the eastern side, you could enter the building; the entrance was 2.50 m away from the street level, and you would enter by hanging a removable wooden ladder to the two holes below the door.
On the upper south side, there is an archivolt window that provided its users with a better view of the lake, while on the others side, the loopholes would help defend against assaulters. The building used to be surrounded by a perimeter wall bordering with an irregular fence enclosing the residences of the lords of Riva di Solto, who ordered the construction of the tower.
A part of the wall, 20 m long, is still visible on the eastern side of Torre Street: the original part (the one closest to the road) was made in the rustication style, and the stones were laid regularly. Above this part, two lines of stones have been recently restored as the originals. Large square-shaped stones are still visible at the bottom of the enclosure wall on the northern side.
Riva di Solto’s lords’ request was to build a small fortress on the eastern end of the town where to shelter in case of danger. The tower and the fence were built in half of the XIII century when the town’s power was at its highest. They were built in an undefended area that used to be protected only by the river.
Even in the XIX century, as shown in a Napoleonic cadastral map that dates back to 1810, that area was isolated from the rest of the town. The fortified buildings of Riva di Solto are similar to other fortified structures of the Cavallina Valley (Bianzano, Colognola, Trescore, Gorlago) and the towers of Cividate, Camuno, and Pisogne, towns located on the opposite shore of the Iseo Lake.
The Bogn
The Bogn is a suggestive inlet where vertical rocks plunge sheer into the lake, a natural bay with a pebble beach for bathing.
Restaurants in Riva di Solto
Here’s where to eat in Riva di Solto.
Bellavista Pizzeria Restaurant
At the Ristorante Pizzeria Bellavista, you can enjoy good food with a beautiful view of Lake Iseo.
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Other Contents
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Italy Lake Como Bellagio things to do – What to do and visit in Bellagio? Here our list:
I Giardini di Villa Melzi
Lungolago Europa
Salita Serbelloni
Villa Serbelloni park and Bellagio castle ruins
Punta Spartivento
Defensive medieval Tower
Piazza Mazzini
San Giacomo church
Salita Antonio Mella
Salita Genazzini
Let’s see some of these places together.
Video Bellagio Lake Como in winter
Bellagio Lake Como in winter
Lakeside Europe
The lakefront of Bellagio is gorgeous as it is wide, tidy and offers beautiful views of the Bellagio profile. Walking along the lakefront towards the center of Bellagio, you can admire some beautiful views.
The colorful buildings that overlook the lake in the center of Bellagio, the swans that move elegantly on the lake, and the comings and goings of the boats are the predominant elements of these scenarios.
Walking along the lakefront of Bellagio, we must take the time to enjoy these views to enjoy them to the fullest.
Italy Lake Como Bellagio things to do Europa Lakeside in autumn 14
Italy Lake Como Bellagio things to do Europa Lakeside in autumn 16
Italy Lake Como Bellagio things to do Europa Lakeside in autumn 1
Italy Lake Como Bellagio things to do Europa Lakeside in autumn 2
Italy Lake Como Bellagio things to do Europa Lakeside in autumn 3
Italy Lake Como Bellagio things to do Europa Lakeside in autumn 5
