Topolia Gorge · 15 minutes
Photo stop at the tunnel and Agia Sofia cave-chapel viewpoint.
Chrysoskalitissa Monastery · 45 minutes
13th-century white-washed monastery on a seaside rock. Nuns' olive oil and thyme honey on sale.
Elafonissi Beach & Lagoon · 4 hours 15 minutes
Reserved sunbeds. Wade across to the protected islet; swim, lunch at a beach taverna.
Chania Old Town · 60 minutes
Walk through the Venetian harbor, lighthouse viewpoint, optional coffee at a harbor cafe.
Of note: Chrysoskalitissa means "Our Lady of the Golden Step": legend holds that one of the ninety-eight steps leading up is pure gold — but only the pure of heart can see which. Elafonissi's darker history: in 1824, 850 Cretans taking refuge on the islet were massacred by Ottoman forces. A small monument remembers them.
Elafonissi, Chrysoskalitissa & Chania