In Greece, cigars can be relatively inexpensive compared to in other countries – like those you might find in Italy’s best cigar lounges or in the Habanos paradise that is Toronto. The country maintains an emphatically relaxed approach to cigars, despite its rigorous anti-smoking laws. So, here’s my insider guide to smoking cigars in Crete.
An unforgettable sunset cigar
Chania is known for its spectacular sea promenade at the Old Venetian Port – one of the most beautiful spots to celebrate an unforgettable sunset cigar.
Pallas, an immense gastro temple overlooking the marina, offers coveted places for cigar aficionados almost directly on the water. You can celebrate the sunset here with your favourite cigar, accompanied by a delicious cocktail and fresh octopus, marinated in a sophisticated sauce.
Move on for aperitifs in the more intimate bar Civediamo Aperitivo. On a spectacular panoramic balcony opposite the lighthouse, I treated myself to the luxury of a Davidoff Exclusive Greece 2025 Gran Robusto, which captivated me with its rich aromas for almost an hour.
Then, feast on a meal in the gourmet restaurant AlmyVita, which is not far away. As a cigar lover, you will receive a particularly warm welcome here. After your exquisite dinner, sommelier Antonis Kantilierakis will present his well-stocked table humidor, leaving you spoilt for choice.
The top specialty store in Greece
In search of fine premium long fillers and rare collector's items, aficionados in Chania have one address in their sights: Premium Puffs Cigars & Tobacco Bar. When I first stepped into this tobacco shop, I felt that the passion for fine cigars is one hundred percent at home here.
In the spacious climate room of owner Pavlos Papadakis, I came across the coveted spicy-sweet Habanos Trinidad Coloniales, as well as a top selection of the classic brand Romeo y Julieta. In the Tobacco Bar area – Chania's only cigar lounge – Pavlos' likeable four-legged friend rests on a massive leather couch.
Lovers of exquisite cigars from the Dominican Republic can rejoice: ‘We are carrying the strictly limited-edition Davidoff Exclusive Greece 2025. Since this is limited to 300 boxes in Greece, it is in high demand by collectors from all over the world,’ Pavlos emphasises.
Like many islanders, he lived in Quebec, Canada, for many years and speaks perfect English and French. Greece's largest island is an international patch. In the old town of Chania, for example, you can meet cigar smokers from New York and Toronto. Here, Pavlos also met his wife Audrey Lee, who comes from Tahiti. His son Nektarios is also fully involved in the family business.
It’s no wonder that Premium Puffs Cigars is now one of the top specialty stores in Greece with 250 different brands and formats. Here you will come across treasures such as the Arturo Fuente Opus X and the Gurkha Cellar Reserve 12-Year Platinum.
As an insider tip for a fine smoke, Pavlos recommends The Jar café-bar in Chania's Park of Peace and Friendship.
Glamour and glory in the Halepa district
In the old town of Chania, you should stop by the tobacco shop Cigars And More, lovingly run by Katerina Dadinak. On the shelves of the small shop, I was surprised by rarely traded Habanos and a large assortment of the much cheaper but nevertheless high-quality Villiger cigars from 1888.
Anyone who makes their way to the former diplomatic district of Halepa in the evening will be rewarded with glamour and glory. This enclave of Chania enchants with nostalgic villas and imposing historic squares.
In the luxury Hotel Domus Blanc, with its romantic smoking terrace, chef Joseph Petrof serves exquisite Greek menus. They are, however, inspired by French cuisine, because the passionate cigar smoker learned his craft in the institute of the legendary chef Paul Bocuse, the pioneer of nouvelle cuisine.
Here, I enjoyed a light, elegant Habanos Quai D'Orsay – a premium cigar that was once created for diplomats in France – to match the ambience.
The goddess of love in the tobacco shop
The next day, I was drawn to Rethymno. In the pedestrian zone of the colourful port city, a small paradise for premium cigars awaits. The Tobacco Shop Rethymno is run with a lot of passion by Dimitris Dimitriadis and his sister Agape.
Dimitrios used to work in a tobacco factory and Agape is a trained jeweller. With this combination, it is not surprising that exquisite cigars can be found on a few meters of shelves here.
‘I have just sold the Romeo Y Julieta No. 3 to a wedding couple from England,’ says Agape, whose Greek name alludes to the goddess of love.
Opened in 2000, the store was founded out of love for agriculture and tobacco leaves. ‘Our father had an olive farm, a few kilometres from here,’ says Agape, showing her beloved Montecristo Edmundo and the Partagas Serie D No. 4.
From the Dominican Republic, the Davidoff Anniversario and the Camacho Corojo from Honduras are doing very well. ‘Tourists also like to try our mild handmade Greek cigars Vamma del Sol,’ Agape emphasises.
Anyone who explores the old town should trust Agape's insider tip: ‘the wine bar Raki Ba Raki is an El Dorado for aficionados.’
Delicious cigars on dream beaches
Crete is famous for its beaches. Since 2020, there have been more non-smoking zones at these locations, but there are still enough refuges for cigar lovers (including comfortable areas in the beach bars). Here are my favourites:
Golden Beach. The picturesque place – also known as Chrissi Akti – has a quiet eastern part, where cigar lovers can still find their little spot of paradise.
Elafonissi Beach. From my experience, a day trip to this multi-award-winning beach is a must in the low season. It is located in a nature reserve and shimmers with pink sandbanks and turquoise lagoons.
Sorbas Beach. Also known as Stavros Beach, this sandy stretch on the Akrotiri peninsula is one of the most spectacular. It offers the advantage that you can swim in a wind-protected bay and enjoy your cigar.
If you spend a day at one of these paradisiacal beaches, you should send a few aromatic clouds of smoke to the sky, like I did, to say goodbye to Zeus, the father of the gods of Crete (and the patron saint of all travellers).
Travel guide
Tobacco shops
Premium Puffs Cigars & Tobacco Bar
137, Kidonias, 73136 Chania
Cigars And More
45, Daskalogianni, 73136 Chania
Tobacco Shop
79, Ethniki Antistasios, 7431 Rethymno
Restaurants and bars
Domus Blanc
4–6, Mavrogenidone, 73133 Chania
Almy Vita
19, Akti Tombazi, 73132 Chania
Civediamo Aperitivo
16–18, Sourmelis, 73100 Chania
Pallas
Akti Tompazi, 73100 Chania
The Jar
70, Andrea Papandreou, 73132 Chania
Hotels
Hilton Garden Inn Chania City
Kidonias 65, 73135 Chania
