The northeastern corner of Chania prefecture includes the rocky Akrotiri Peninsula with a couple of interesting monasteries, and the Apokoronas Peninsula (which is more like a promontory). The island’s only natural freshwater lake, Lake Kournas, is a highlight of the area. Beach resorts such as Kalyves, Almyrida and Georgioupoli are slightly less over-built than the resorts spread along the coast west of Hania, but they can’t hold a candle to the beaches in the south and west. You’ll find the most Cretan character at the restored village of Vamos, the ancient site of Aptera, and in traditional villages such as Gavalohori.