• Half-Day Heraklion Tour with Knossos and Museum from Chania

    Half-Day Heraklion Tour with Knossos and Museum from Chania

    Visit the most popular attraction of the island of Crete, the famous archeological site of Knossos, the capital of King Minos! In this half day guided tour you will have the opportunity to learn about the Cretan history, as well as to explore the new town!

  • Elafonisi Beach and Cretan Mainland Full Day Private Tour

    Elafonisi Beach and Cretan Mainland Full Day Private Tour

    This is a private tour with a 7-seater van for a maximum 6 guests. Elafonisi is one of the best beaches in the world. It’s an island connected with Crete with a narrow and shallow strip of sand, forming a 10km long beach. The road to get there goes through gorges, picturesque villages and other…

  • ZOURVA toTROMARISSA adventure

    ZOURVA toTROMARISSA adventure

    After 45min by car starting from Chania we will be at Zourva village at 550m altitute that is a place with wonderfull amfitheatric view.Starting to hike the path is quite stipy in a cypress forest getting highter and highter.Small openings allowes view to lower villages. After an hour the path is less stipy and the…

  • The best of Retimno walking tour

    The best of Retimno walking tour

    Together with the professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. You will have a chance to explore the city, while hearing fascinating facts and legends. What is Rethymno there today? You will be surprised how many stories are hidden in the streets, buildings and corners of Retimno. Your charming guide…

  • Gramvousa and Balos Private Tour from Chania

    Gramvousa and Balos Private Tour from Chania

    A great trip for any Chania visitor is the mini-cruise to Gramvousa and Balos! Our trip starts at your hotel or a location in its vicinity, with our bus. Our destination is the port of Kisamos.As soon as we reach the port, you go aboard the ship to set out on the cruise. The ship…

  • Crete: Private Transfer from Chania to Heraklion

    Crete: Private Transfer from Chania to Heraklion

    Rethymno Easy Travel is a family run business that was created to offer the visitors and residents of Crete, reliable, comfortable and fast transport services from and to Airports and Ports. But we did not limit ourselves only to that. We are a licensed company using professional drivers for your safety and comfort. We mainly…

  • Chania Combo Tour

    Chania Combo Tour

    A complete 3-hour Chania Tour. Glide through the narrow alleys of the Old City, to the sandy beach of Nea Chora with the picturesque small port, cruise along the Venetian harbor to the east towards Kum Kapi area (Turkish name meaning the Gate of the Sand), until reaching the former aristocratic area of Halepa. Learn…

  • Chania Old Town private walking tour

    Chania Old Town private walking tour

    What about a private walking tour uniquely designed around the old town of Chania and Venetian port, which shows Chania’s status as a cultural crossroads? A tour through a 7000-year-old history. Although the tour concentrates on history, we will explore the traditions and culture of Chania and how they have united to form the present-day…

  • Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania

    Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour from Chania

    Discover the westernmost tip of Crete on a scenic bus and boat trip to Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay. Dip your toes in the soft white sand of some of the most beautiful beaches you ever have seen!Upon arrival, climb aboard a boat and cross to Balos Bay at the northernmost tip of the peninsula.…

  • Small-Group Old City and Harbor Segway Tour in Chania

    Small-Group Old City and Harbor Segway Tour in Chania

    Taste the narrow alleys of the Old city and discover all it’s beauty. Have fun and at the same time travel in town’s historical monuments. The tour leader will guide you to the most secret paths and reveal the local secrets! Historical information is provided through the audio guide System (EN, SP, DE, FR, RU,…

  • Samaria Gorge Long Way from Chania in Crete

    Samaria Gorge Long Way from Chania in Crete

    The gorge of Samaria is the gem of the White Mountains; Hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometres in length. The gorge’s trail starts at Ksyloskalo (Omalos plateau, 1.227 meters altitude) and after following the river bed, it ends up…

  • Knossos Palace & Museum from Chania in Crete

    Knossos Palace & Museum from Chania in Crete

    TRIP ΙTINERARY *6:00-8:00 Departure from Chania09:00 short stop for toilet or coffee 10:00-10:30 arrival to Knossos palace (guiding by official guide)11:30-12:00 departure to Heraklion city center (archaeological museum)15:00 departure to Rethymno city16:00-16:30 arrival at Rethymno city17:00-17:30 departure to Chania18:00-19:00 arrival to ChaniaThe equipment you must have with you• Comfortable clothes & shoes for a bus…

  • Georgioupolis Safari Off Road Tours Outdoor Activities Land Rover Defender

    Georgioupolis Safari Off Road Tours Outdoor Activities Land Rover Defender

    Discover the Cretan culture, beautiful landscapes away from tourist areas, golden sandy beaches, breathtaking views, wildlife, Cretan herbs, traditional wine, raki, honey and olive oil, homemade food, the myths and traditions that will awaken all your senses. Trust our experienced guides and the Land Rover Defender 110 which are the suitable cars for the most…

  • Balos and Gramvousa Tour from Chania

    Balos and Gramvousa Tour from Chania

    Spend a wonderful sunny day at the amazing Balos & Gramvoussa islands, known as the Cretan Caribbean!

  • Good Morning Chania Bike Tour

    Good Morning Chania Bike Tour

    Hop on for a bike ride around Chania, discovering the beauty of the city on a 2-hour tour. The Old city & Harbor is full of monuments, beauty and culture. It’s an active way to discover the old city, as you bike explore, with an informative audio guide and a tour leader.

  • Agia Triada Monastery-Stavros beach-Venizelos Graves – Half Day Private Tour

    Agia Triada Monastery-Stavros beach-Venizelos Graves – Half Day Private Tour

    Join us on an unforgettable half day tour across the Akrotiri Peninsula, in the north of Chania Prefecture and discover some of Crete’s most iconic sights and scenes; as well as the local secrets. Our tour starts from the impressive Monastery of Agia Triada, an extremely beautiful monastery with a folk museum and an imposing…

  • Private Day Trip to Elafonissi Beach from Chania

    Private Day Trip to Elafonissi Beach from Chania

    Make the most out of your stay in sun-soaked Crete and let your local driver show you around in a fully customizable tour! On the way to Elafonissi Beach, you can stop by the Chrisoskalitissa Monastery, an Orthodox Christian monastery located on the southwest coast of Crete. It stands on a rocky, 35 meters high…

  • PAHNES peak(2454 m) adventure.The hightest.

    PAHNES peak(2454 m) adventure.The hightest.

    Its a life time experiance.Beeing at the hightest peak of the famous White mountains range.The desert of the mountains.A complete alpine zone, a peak surrounded of noumerous other peaks,deserd,wild,extrimly goergus. Guided by myself. I am a local, certified hiking leader with a great experiance of the hole perfecture of White mountains range,and relationship with the…

  • Transfer from Chania airport to Chania City or vise versa up to 7 customers

    Transfer from Chania airport to Chania City or vise versa up to 7 customers

    Transfer from Chania  airport to your hotel in Chania City area or vise versa.From 1 to 4 clients  or 4 to 7 , transport is with a taxi/private car/mini van luxury  . Transfer is a transportation service which meets and brings you exactly where you asked: our driver meets you at the airport (as close to…

  • Wine & Olive Oil tasting one day private tour in Crete

    Wine & Olive Oil tasting one day private tour in Crete

    Drive through the beautiful Cretan mainland scenery to the Kydonia Mountain.We will visit a traditional winery. They will sit in a beautiful olive grove and sample a fleet of local wines including Vidiano and Muscat of Spinas as well as some international wines such as Grenache Rouge, Syrah and Mouverde.We will visit the Olive Tree…

  • 2 Wineries & Tasting 10 Wine – Semi Private Jeep Safari tour with Lunch

    2 Wineries & Tasting 10 Wine – Semi Private Jeep Safari tour with Lunch

    It is not a tour just for tastings!Live a unique experience on a Semi Private tour, up to 6 guests/vehicle-guide. Explore a part of the mainland through rough roads with comfortable 7 seaters, full A/C, 4wd vehicles, which compatible vehicles buses or minibusses can’t offer. At the olive mill, you have the chance to taste…

  • Imbros Gorge Bus Tour

    Imbros Gorge Bus Tour

    If you have only one day to check out Imbros Gorge during your stay in Chania, then this comfy bus tour to the southeast part of Crete is for you. En route, check out the rare flora and the beautiful landscape. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the gorge while your guide provides engaging commentary along…

  • Morning Private Tour from Chania to secret destinations &Akrotiri via Macherida

    Morning Private Tour from Chania to secret destinations &Akrotiri via Macherida

    There is no better way than exploring Crete with a boat. We give you the opportunity to explore the secret destinations of Crete starting from Chania Port.The tour starts from Chania at 8:30 a.m and the first destination is: Macherida, a beach with turquoise clear waters located on the northwest side of Akrotiri. After a…

  • Private Wine, Dine & Live Music Tour

    Private Wine, Dine & Live Music Tour

    Live music performed by our musician duo, hosted in a private Venetian villa over lunch and wine pairing!Our escape starts by visiting the pottery village of Margarites to explore the labyrinth of narrow alleyways and admire the ceramic works of the numerous shops in town. We then make our way to a ceramist to learn…

  • Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania

    Samaria Gorge- the long way, from Chania

    The gorge of Samaria is the gem of the White Mountains; hidden in the south part of the Chania district, it is the biggest gorge in Europe, covering an area of 18 kilometers in length. The state park of Samaria was added to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves (MAB: Man & Biosphere) by UNESCO…


All about Chania

When to visit

For a sunseeker’s dream destination, head to Chania, especially in summer. July typically sees daily sunshine, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). Summer is also when the crowds are most likely to descend on this coastal, Mediterranean city. To enjoy warm—but not scorching—temperatures, and calmer sightseeing, aim for shoulder season months of May, September, and October.

Getting around

Chania is served by the Chania International Airport, which connects to central Chania via bus and taxi services. Bus routes also operate in the city and link it to tourist destinations such as the Samaria Gorge and to surrounding villages. Chania, especially its Old Town, is very walkable, while taxis offer another transit option and a way to access slightly farther-flung beaches. Guided tours also make it easy to tour the region’s highlights.

Traveler tips

While Chania’s seafront and local beaches offer more than enough bounty for those seeking sun and surf, they’re not the region’s only aquatic attractions. It’s worth making a diversion to visit Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake in Crete, located less than an hour’s drive from Chania. It offers spectacular views, hiking trails, pebbly beaches, and boat rentals, as well as a wealth of wildlife.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chania known for?

A small city in western Crete, Chania is the capital of the prefecture (regional unit) of the same name. It’s known for its pretty old town, with brightly colored houses and relics from different waves of occupation, including an Ottoman-era mosque and the Old Venetian harbor, home to historic shipyards.

How do I spend a day in Chania, Crete?

Chania is a lovely city to explore on foot: Savor local specialties, taste wine, and browse the many stylish boutiques. Don’t miss the picture-perfect Old Venetian harbor. The Hassan Pascha Mosque often hosts interesting art exhibitions, and the naval museum in the old Venetian fortress is worth a look.

Is Chania or Heraklion better?

It depends. The unspoiled old town makes Chania more attractive than Heraklion, but Heraklion is Crete’s capital and largest city, so there’s more happening. The Palace of Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum mean Heraklion is better for ancient attractions. Chania, on the other hand, offers access to gorgeous beaches.

Is Chania a party town?

Chania can be a party town, but it isn’t as exuberant as Malia. There’s more to Chania than bars and clubs, and the nightlife leans upscale. But you can party till dawn in some of the waterfront clubs, while the old town offers a wealth of bars and restaurants.

How many days should I spend in Chania?

Plan for at least three days in and around Chania. Allow one day for the city and one or more days for western Crete’s beautiful beaches. Plan to spend a day in nature, perhaps exploring the White Mountains, hiking the 10-mile (16-kilometer) Samaria Gorge, or ambling around Lake Kournas.

Is Chania worth visiting?

Yes, both Chania city and Chania prefecture are worth visiting. Chania city has Crete’s most atmospheric old town, a pretty historic harbor, and a food, shopping, and nightlife scene. Chania prefecture offers the Samaria Gorge, Elafonisi Beach, Balos Beach and Lagoon, and the White Mountains, plus olive groves and vineyards.