Far northwestern Crete is less affected by tourism than the city of Chania and its satellite resorts. Once you move past the overbuilt Platanias region west of Hania, the northern coast is defined by the virtually uninhabited Gramvousa and Rodopou Peninsulas. Kolymbari, at the foot of the Rodopou Peninsula, is the most developed tourist town (but more famous for its nationally distributed olive oil).

The Kissamos province is a rugged region of scattered villages and towns sustained by agriculture. Its capital, Kissamos (Kastelli), is the port for boats from the Peloponnese. On the western coast you’ll find two of Crete’s finest beaches, which are surprisingly underdeveloped: Falasarna and the even more remote Balos (Gramvousa). The Selino province includes the Innahorion region of small mountain villages.