Welcome to Crete, home to the best beaches in Crete, where turquoise waters meet rugged mountains, ancient history lives alongside charming villages, and every road seems to lead to another unforgettable view.
When you stay at The Odyssey, you have the perfect base from which to experience it all.
Located in the beautiful region of Maleme, Western Crete, The Odyssey places you within easy reach of some of the island’s most celebrated beaches, historic landmarks, traditional villages, scenic drives and unforgettable dining experiences.
Whether your ideal holiday means spending the morning beside crystal-clear water, wandering through Chania Old Town, hiking through a dramatic gorge, discovering ancient ruins, or simply enjoying a long Cretan lunch beneath the afternoon sun, Western Crete gives you plenty of ways to fill your days.
Just a short journey from The Odyssey lies Chania, one of Crete’s most enchanting cities.
Start at the famous Venetian Harbour, where colorful buildings, historic architecture, cafés and traditional tavernas surround the waterfront. Wander through the narrow streets of Chania Old Town, discover hidden courtyards and small boutiques, and make your way toward the iconic Egyptian Lighthouse.
Chania is a city made for wandering.
There are Venetian and Ottoman influences on almost every corner, fascinating museums, historic landmarks and some of the best things to do in Chania, plus an atmosphere that changes beautifully as the day turns to evening.
And when the sun begins to set, find a table by the water, order something local and watch the harbor come alive.
Tip from The Odyssey:
Don’t rush Chania. Give yourself an afternoon, and stay for dinner.
There is another side of Western Crete waiting beyond the coastline.
Travel inland and the landscape transforms into olive groves, mountains, traditional villages, rocky valleys and dramatic gorges. Western Crete is particularly rewarding for travelers who enjoy walking, hiking and exploring away from the main tourist routes.
Take a slower drive through the Western Crete countryside and discover traditional villages where life moves at a different pace. Stop for a coffee. Browse a small local shop. Talk to a resident. Have lunch at a family-run taverna.
These are often the moments travelers remember long after the photographs have been packed away.
Some of the best experiences in Western Crete aren’t marked by a major attraction at all. They are the roads between them, winding through mountains, olive groves and coastal landscapes, with another incredible view waiting around every bend.
Crete isn’t simply beautiful. It is ancient.
The region around Chania is filled with archaeological sites, historic monuments, Venetian structures, monasteries and traces of civilizations that have shaped Western Crete for thousands of years.
Explore Ancient Phalasarna and discover the remains of what was once an important ancient port and maritime power. Today, its archaeological landscape sits close to one of Western Crete’s most celebrated beaches.
Visit historic monasteries tucked into the countryside. Explore museums in Chania. Discover old fortifications, traditional settlements and archaeological remains scattered throughout the region.
And if history isn’t usually your thing, Crete has a way of changing your mind.
Because here, history isn’t confined to a museum!
If there is one thing you should never rush in Crete, it is lunch.
The Cretan way of life is deeply connected to food, hospitality and gathering around the table. Expect fresh local ingredients, olive oil, vegetables, cheeses, seafood, grilled meats, herbs, honey and traditional recipes passed from one generation to the next.
Look beyond the obvious tourist spots and make time for a traditional taverna in Western Crete.
Order a selection of dishes for the table. Try something you’ve never heard of. Pour yourself a glass of local wine. Finish with something sweet, or perhaps a small glass of raki.
You don’t need a five-course itinerary when you have a long Cretan lunch.
The beauty of staying at The Odyssey is that you don’t have to choose just one kind of holiday.
Western Crete gives you the freedom to make your holiday exactly what you want it to be.
And when you’re ready to discover it all, The Odyssey is waiting to welcome you home.
A: Some of the best beaches in Crete are just a short drive from The Odyssey, including Elafonissi, Falassarna, Balos Lagoon, Seitan Limania and Agia Marina, all within easy reach of Maleme, Western Crete.
A: Chania Old Town is a short drive from The Odyssey in Maleme, making it easy to combine a beach morning with an afternoon exploring the Venetian Harbour.
A: Yes. Western Crete is home to dramatic landscapes including the famous Samaria Gorge, along with countless scenic trails through olive groves, mountains and traditional villages.
A: Don’t miss Cretan classics like dakos, fresh seafood, slow-cooked meats, local cheeses, olive oil and honey, best enjoyed at a traditional village taverna with a glass of local wine or raki.
A: A rental car is highly recommended. It gives you the freedom to reach beaches, villages and Chania at your own pace, and many of Western Crete’s best experiences are found along the scenic drives between destinations.
