Just an hour and a half from Chania airport lies Kissamos. A sleepy fishing town situated along the North West coast of the Greek Island Crete. By far Cretes best kept secret this bohemian paradise is set among whitewashed houses covered with pink bougainvillaea and stone cobbled streets.

It was by fluke that I ended up staying here when visiting the island with family a few years ago. We were staying in a villa nearby and had little idea about the area. Being in a fairly isolated but beautiful spot I found myself walking down most mornings to the local town and with each visit, falling a little bit more in love with it. While most parts are quiet in terms of tourist it still has some travellers drifting through but most evenings you'll be surrounded with locals. One of the most enchanting parts of the stay was the number of secret beautiful corners as well as hidden fountains, quirky shops and fabulous eateries.

Situated on the West of the Greek island and part of the Chania region, Kissamos lies within one of the most fertile valleys of Greece which makes its perfect for growing giving it a lush beautiful landscape. Originally known as Kastelli after the Venetian castle that once was there, today it is now known for its small port and fishing harbour. There are an abundance of cafes and shops scattered around the town selling locally sourced products as well as a main square which livens up in the evening. The is also a promenade lined with fresh fish and greek restaurants with beautiful views out to sea.

Hidden fountain and garden

The most wonderful little find tucked down a side street in Kissamos was the fountain and flower courtyard. A cobbled courtyard sits hidden down a series of narrow, twisty streets. Several tress and bougainvillea hang over the space, decorating the ground around them with a sea of pink blossoms. A trickle water gently flows in the background. The sweet sound belongs to a stone water fountain that pours water from a single tap. This place is magic. I visited here most days with my book and a cup of coffee and I've never visited anywhere since that felt as wonderful.

The main square

The main square is the place to be in the afternoons and evenings. A traditional greek town awash with white buildings housing restaurants and bars, there are tables and chairs spread out across the paved centre of the town. Often there is live music and a great atmosphere. We spent plenty of evenings eating baklava, chatting to locals, enjoying a cold beer and working our way through the cocktail menu.

The promenade

Lined with blue cheque clothed tables and fairylights, the waterfront promenade is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy dinner in the evenings, with plenty of fresh fish and traditional greek dishes on offer you can't go wrong. Watching the sun set over the sea with a good bottle of wine and loved ones, it really doesn't get any better than this.

The secret handmade jewellery shop

One of the most memorable places was the secret shop. We stumbled across a lady with a shop set up in the front garden of her house, selling all manner of handmade jewellery. From her garden she would pick rose petals, dry and press them before setting them in resin with colour and then paint edges. It was not only the most rustic and enchanting set up but the jewellery was beautiful and the lady so kind. She explained the whole process to us and even gave us an extra piece with our purchases. I still often think about her to this day and would love to go back and buy some more pieces one day.

Local beaches

There are several beautiful sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water where you can swim, paddle board or try some watersports from local based companies. Balos lagoon is a must and Kedrodasos beach is worth checking out too.

Cost and accommodation

Flights to Crete vary but we were able to get a return from LGW for just under £100 into Chania airport. I would highly recommend a couple of nights in the beautiful historic city of Chania to kick start your Cretian getaway. With its stunning colourful harbour, fresh local markets and mulitude of fabulous greek restaurants, you have to set a couple of days aside to really do this place justice. Accommodation in Chania is straightforward with most B&Bs/ hotels costing less than 50 euros a night. In Kissamos you're best to rent a villa or apartment as its a far less developed town catering to a more local crowd. Its worth noting that car hire is essential for getting about and you can rent a decent car from the airport from around 20 euros a day with insurance.

Have you ever been to Kissamos or another fabulous hidden village like it? Let me know in the comments below!