Western Crete is the greenest and most mountainous area of Crete. The White Mountains or Lefka Ori dominate the landscape and rise to 2500m. The fall dramatically into the sea in the south and are slashed with deep gorges which attract numerous walkers each year.

The scenery is magnificent and it is the most attractive area of the island. To the north the hillsides and coastal plains are striped with olive trees and fragrant citrus fruit, and the northern coast is dotted with pretty beaches and a number of tourist resorts.