The spectacular south-west coast encapsulates the best of Crete – dizzy mountain scenery (all peaks and gorges – Samaria is at its heart), a sparkling sea and some fine beaches.
Paleochora is the only settlement of any size here. With a crumbling Venetian fortress above and a Blue Flag beach to each side (one pebble, one sand), a winding drive through the mountains is the only way in other than by sea.
Loutro is the stuff of Greek holiday fantasy. Unrealistically pretty and quite tiny (pop. 100!), you can only reach the village on foot or by boat – there are no roads and no cars!
