Beaches in western Crete are strung like washing along the north and south coasts with a mighty string of mountains between. The mountains are so dominant that, as storms and rain batter the north, the south can enjoy warm and peaceful skies. Some northern beaches have turned belly up to the package tour industry, especially along the strip west of Chania, but many more a low key, almost sedate air. The west coast beaches are more remote and have few tourist facilities yet are so beautiful they are a magnet to coach trippers. In the south the mountains plunge vertically into the sea leaving much of the coast uninhabited but with occasional bays host small unassuming resorts. Wherever you are, that mountain backdrop provides awesomely splendid scenery.
