Chania Crete: 12 Best Things to Do

Chania Crete is probably the most beautiful town in Greece and one of the most spectacular regions on Crete island! The island of Crete is stunningly beautiful and diverse and fills you with long-lasting memories of happiness and excitement.

At least this is the effect it has on me every time I take the ferry to this blessed and fertile place on earth.

I have gathered my favorite spots and created this guide about the best things to do and see in Chania Crete. I hope you will also find it useful and have a wonderful time on the island!

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Top Things to Do in Chania Crete

1. Explore Chania town

After you have settled down in your hotel, and have changed into your vacation clothes you can now start exploring the gorgeous Chania town.

Chania is divided into two distinct areas, the old town and the modern and larger one.

The town was built on top of the Minoan civilization which flourished from c. 3000 BC to c. 1450 BCE. Old Town Chania today is a breathtaking blend of Byzantine, Venetian, and Classical Greek cultural elements.

2. Stroll at Chania Old Venetian Port

Your first exploration should be the picture-perfect old Venetian port. In the summer it is full of visitors, buzzing with life as you walk its promenade lined with fish taverns and cafes.

Best landmarks to visit in Chania Old Port:

• The Firka Venetian Fortress was constructed by the Venetians in 1610, to prevent any attack from the pirates or the Ottomans on the port. At the entrance of the Fortress is housed the Maritime Museum of Crete, where you can find out about maritime Cretan history from the Bronze Age to today. It is closed on Sundays, open 8.30 am-3.40 pm, ticket €4
• Byzantine and Postbyzantine Collection of Chania. The Byzantine museum is housed in the site of the church of the Franciscan Monastery of San Salvatore, founded in the 15th century. It is open daily 8.30 am – 3.30 pm, closed on Tuesdays, ticket €2.

• The Mosque Kioutsouk Hassan or Giali Tzamisi was constructed in the 17th century by the Ottomans. It is currently used for events and exhibitions
• During the Venetian occupation (1204 – 1669) 17 Neoria were built. Neoria are the Venetian shipyard buildings, where the ships were repaired. Today, only 7 continuous domes survive and the Center of Mediterranean Architecture has its offices there (Grand Arsenal, the last of the 17 Neoria to the west). Today, it hosts important cultural events and artistic exhibitions

• The Egyptian Lighthouse is one of the oldest stone lighthouses in the world. It was first constructed by the Venetians at the end of the 16th century but was reconstructed by the Egyptians during the period 1830-40
• The Sabbionara Rampart widely known by its Turkish name “Koum Kapi”, is the remains of a gate constructed in the Venetian old-town walls next to the sea.
• The Archaeological Museum is housed in the old Venetian monastery of Saint Frances Assiz. It is open daily from 8.30 am to 8.00 pm, closed on Tuesdays, ticket €6.
• Heraklion in Crete has an imposing Venetian Fortress.

Best Free Thing to Do in Chania Crete: Go to the Greek National Football Museum, with more than 2000 items of soccer memorabilia. Hours of operation: 10 am-5 pm, closed Sun Mar-Oct, reduced hours Nov-Mar.

Where to Stay near the Chania Old Port

• Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa: Set in a fantastic location, a luxury hotel, with rooms decorated that remind you of Crete’s history, fine textiles, and class.
• Santrivani Rooms: Centrally located in Chania, close to the sea and all the sites.

3. Walk Around the Old Chania Town

Walking the narrow alleys of the old Chania town is one of the best things to do in Crete. Old Chania town has 4 distinct neighborhoods that are perfect to explore:

Kastelli area is located on a small hill, with very narrow, twisty alleys.

Once it was the Ancient Kydonia, the Proto-Minoan settlement of Kasteli, with still today some remaining ruins that can be seen on Kanevaro St. Centuries later it became a Byzantine castle and the remains of that period can be seen at Karaoli Dimitriou St.

Then, the Venetians built new walls around it and Kastelli became a fortress, traces of which you see all around you.

Evraiki (former Jewish Quarter) area in Chania is another popular and picturesque area with tiny cobblestone alleys. The Evraiki area is between Chalidon, Zampeliou, Skoufon, and Portou streets. You will find information about Etz Hayyim Synagogue here, the only working Synagogue in Crete.

In 1944, the Nazis seized the Cretan Jewish Community, leading to a tragic event where 350 individuals boarded a ship, which was subsequently bombarded, resulting in no survivors. Presently, only 20 Jews reside in Chania.

Topanas district is behind the Firkas Venetian Walls and during the Ottoman years used to be the Christian aristocrats’ quarter.

Splantzia Square is the old Ottoman district, once inaccessible to Christians. On the Square, you will see the historic centuries-old plane tree (used by the Turks for exemplary executions) and the church of Agios Nikolaos.

Beaches near Chania Old Town

• Sandy Nea Chora Beach, less than 1 km west of Chania town with plenty of fish taverns
• Sandy Agioi Apostoloi, 5 km west of Chania town, with a chapel (Saint Apostles) on the peninsula. Organized with cafes and taverns and one of the best beaches near Chania Old Town

Where Best to Stay in Chania Town Crete

Epavli Boutique Hotel (mid-range, family-friendly, breakfast) is a modern-looking, bright-colored property with a lovely swimming pool and a garden, close to the sites but in a quiet spot.

The Koum Kapi Beach is only 650 m away. Check it out on Booking.

4. Go to Modern Chania Town

Don’t skip the modern part of Chania, thinking that all the fun and sightseeing is in the Old part of the town. Chania, old or modern, is an endless source of things to do and see!

What to visit in the modern part of Chania:

• The historical district of Chalepa with the mansions of the 19th and 20th centuries
• Municipal Market of Chania, an open fruit, vegetable, and herb market to stock up!
• The house of Eleftherios Venizelos – one of the most important politics of all time in Greece –  that today hosts the National Research Foundation “Eleftherios K. Venizelos”
• The French School (1860)
• The Russian church of Agia Magdalini

Are you traveling with your family and you love ancient Greek history? Go to Minoan’s World 3D Museum and experience a unique and fun time with history!

Taste the delicious Greek pastry sweet called Bougatsa, filled with cream and cinnamon, in a very traditional environment. Look out for the Bougatsa Chania shop at Apokoronou 37 St. a few minutes walk from Old Port.

Beaches near Chania town

One of the best beaches near Chania town is the Blue Flag awarded beach of Chrysi Akti (Golden Sand) beach, only 3 km west of Chania. The waters are excellent, with a well-organized beach with sunbeds, umbrellas, changing rooms, showers, and a lifeguard. Take a taxi or take a public bus to get easily there.

You are reading about the best things to do in western Crete, the Chania region!

Are you looking for hotels and apartments in the four regions of Crete Island? Find a ton of information in my dedicated post on where to stay on Crete Island.

5. Indulge in the Spectacular Beach of Balos

The exotic Balos Beach is at the northwesternmost point of Crete and 52km/32 mi from Chania. Balos Beach has soft white sand, shallow turquoise, and emerald-green waters. All the words of this world will not prepare you for the breathtaking view when you get there.

Right across the Balos beach, you will see Gramvousa islet where you can wade through the knee-high sea and visit the 16th-century Venetian fort. The whole area is a Natura 2000 protection network so please respect the beautiful area and leave it as you found it.

Sometimes goats from the surrounding mountains visit the beach. I think the tourists probably spoil them with all kinds of goodies!

How to get to Balos Beach

• By car: Drive up to Kaliviani village and follow the dirt road that starts from the village. About 8 km later you reach the parking lot for the beach. There is a 1 euro toll to access the beach. It involves some easy downhill hiking to get to the beach from the parking lot. At the Balos beach, there is a canteen (which sells coffee, sodas, sandwiches, and snacks), sunbeds, and umbrellas. The thing is that in summer it is super popular so you either come very early to get a nice spot or later in the afternoon
• By car to Kissamos and from there, catch a small boat that makes scheduled itineraries to the Balos beach.
• Don’t want to bother with organizing the visit to Balos? Book a Private Boat Trip to Kissamos Balos with snorkeling and swimming off-the-boat options

Where Best to Stay in Balos

For your lunch, you can return to the beautiful and traditional Kaliviani village in one of its seaside taverns. An exceptional hotel in Kaliviani is the Kaliviani Traditional Hotel (mid-range, family-friendly, breakfast).

It has beautiful scenic views and I love its fine room decoration and the friendly hosts. Check it out on Booking.

Tip: Nearby is the beautiful sandy beach of Falasarna, an exotic and organized beach.

6. Hike Samaria Gorge

Hiking Samaria Gorge is one of the top things you can do in Chania Crete!

The 15,9 km Samaria Gorge is a real gem of a hike. It is a challenging 5-7 hour hike, most of which is downhill, and I suggest you go with a local group.

The Samaria hiking starts at the Omalos village, 42 km south of Chania, and ends in the scenic seaside village of Agia Roumeli. As this is a one-way hike, you must consider how you will be transported back to your starting point before doing this hike.

To avoid the hassle of organizing the challenging trek, I would suggest booking a guided tour to Samaria Gorge with a pick-up from your hotel included.

Hiking Information for Samaria

• Check here the temperature in Samaria
• Find here info on the entrance ticket (general admission €5)
• Check the other 10 signposted trails in Chania and the main E4 European Trail on Crete island.

For your return trip, one idea is to get the ferry to stunning Sfakia and stay there for the night.

A very nice fish village that reminds me of the Cyclades is Loutro and as it is not touristically advanced, it is perfect for a quiet vacation. The beach has big white pebbles and there are two more nice beaches nearby, Glyka Nera & Marmara.

Where is Best to Stay in Loutro Sfakia

Madares Apartments Anopolis (budget, family-friendly) is nestled on a charming hilltop with stunning vistas of the mountains and the mesmerizing Libyan Sea.

With cozy wooden decor, you’ll simply adore the squeaky-clean, airy, and peaceful rooms. It’s the ultimate haven for anyone craving tranquility and a deep bond with the enchanting Cretan landscape.

Find out about prices and availability on Booking.

7. Go to Elafonissi Beach

Elafonissi is located 76km/47 mi southwest of Chania and 5km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery on the southwesternmost tip of Crete.

Elafonissi is a peninsula, that often breaks into two parts giving the impression of being a separate island. The sand takes on pink hues in certain lights as it is made up of tiny pieces of shells.

Elafonissi Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a Natura 2000 protected area rich in flora and fauna such as sea daffodils and the endangered loggerhead sea turtle.

It is strictly forbidden to remove any plants, animals, shells, and sand from the area. If you do so, you contribute to the natural disaster of this magnificent place.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of driving and just want to enjoy one of the best beaches, take a guided tour from Chania to Elafonisi beach where you can enjoy several hours in the pink sand and swim in the pristine waters.

Where to Stay in Elafonissi:

Cretan Fleur Apartments (Self-catering). A nicely decorated ultra-clean private property with large balconies and sea views. Hospitable and kind hosts.

8. Visit the Authentic Apokoronas villages

Just 20 minutes from Chania town (25 km) lie 37 beautiful villages, around the Lefka Ori Mt, the Apokoronas villages.

There has been a very mild tourist development, so those villages are old-looking and authentic Cretan life. Some of the villages are:

• Armeni, Agios Pavlos, Gavalohori, Kefalos, Vamos, Xirosterni where you can have your meals and taste authentic Cretan cuisine.
• Go to the very picturesque Vryses village, built on the feet of Lefka Mt. Two rivers cross the village making beautiful pools, small waterfalls, and streams.
• The best villa in the area to stay in is Villa Levanta in Armeni Apokoronou (self-catering, up to 6 guests) great for a family, with a garden and a small pool (14 km from Chania town).

I particularly enjoyed this 7 Villages Apokoronas tour as I explored Crete’s history, culture, and food in one shot.

9. Tour the Monasteries of Akrotiri Peninsula

Akrotiri is located east and around 15 km far from Chania. In the area of Akrotiri you can find some of the oldest, richest, and most imposing monasteries in Chania:

• The fascinating Monastery of Gouvernetou, founded in 1537, is dedicated to the Lady of Angels, with impressive columns on the facade. Open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday 9 am – 12 am & 5.00-7.00 pm, weekends 9-11 am & 5-8 pm. You must wear modest clothes, no shorts or uncovered shoulders, they are very strict about attire.

• From there, take the trail to Arkoudospilia (Bear Cave), down 140 steps to Panagia Arkoudiotissa, an abandoned 16th monastery, built into a cliff

• Agia Triada Tsagarolon, founded in 1612, is one of the most fascinating monasteries in Crete that is being managed directly by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Find here one of the best organic produced virgin olive oils in the world as well as honey, wine, vineyard, and soap.

After seeing the monasteries, head for Stavros Bay for a swim at the sandy beach where Anthony Quinn danced in the 1964 film Zorba the Greek.

Check out the Little Bay Rooms at Stavros (self-catering) neat large rooms, less than a minute far from a tiny sandy beach, and follow Anthony Quinn’s dance steps.

Tip: There is a lovely beach on Rhodes Island that has been named after Antony Quinn.

10. Explore the Ancient Chania: Souda Bay, Fortresses, and Ancient Aptera

Above the Souda Bay, and around 15 km/9.3 mi from Chania lie the ruins of Ancient Aptera one of the most important city-states of Crete during the Minoan period. Take water with you, and wear good shoes, a hat, and sunscreen as this is a large site.

At the site, you can see public baths, graves, Roman reservoirs, many wells, tanks, and a theater, which is not completely revealed yet. The wall that was protecting Aptera has survived a length of about 4 km/2.5 mi.

Right across you will see a small island which is all covered by a Venetian castle built in 1573 and nearby the Itzedin castle built in 1872 by the Ottomans. They are both very impressive medieval landmarks that you should not miss if you are in the area.

11. Discover the Botanical Park of Crete

17 km south of Chania, in Fournes, you will find a beautiful green oasis, at the foot of the Lefka Ori (Mountains). Through a well-tended path, you will get to see a large garden planted with exotic flowers and fruit trees from all over the world, with everything clearly labeled.

There are shady spots surrounded by Greek herbs such as mint and thyme where you can rest and enjoy a coffee or a meal. It is well connected by bus from Chania and you can see more information on the Botanical Park of Crete website.

You can combine your visit to the Botanical Park of Crete with Authentic Cooking Class in the White Mountains. In this class you’ll make traditional recipes using local ingredients including cheese and wine sampling.

12. Dine at the Best Restaurants in Chania Crete

Crete is renowned in Greece for its exceptional cuisine with local recipes always using the best possible ingredients from Cretan earth. It should be easy to find a great diner that will make you happy everywhere in Chania. However, I would like to suggest a few restaurants and taverns that are offering some of the best meals in Chania:

• To Antikristo, a tavern with Mediterranean food, a nicely decorated yard, and a large playground for the kids. Book your table on their page
• Oinoa Wine Restaurant, with Mediterranean and European cuisine, quaint and arty, is set in a beautiful building with great views of the sea from the terrace. Find them on their FB page here
• Tzitzikas, under the plane trees and next to the cool waters of Armeni Apokoronas(14 km from Chania) you can enjoy traditional Cretan dishes as well as a coffee or a local sweet pie. FB page here
• Antartis tavern, in Therisso village, specializes in the traditional method of roasting lamb using antikristo.

You may be interested in a Winery Small-Group Safari with Lunch where you will experience the life of Cretan shepherds on Lefka Ori Mountain, with wine tasting and lunch.

FAQS for Visiting Chania Crete

Chania Beaches for the Mobility Impaired

There are over 130 beaches in Greece that have installed the Seatrac system so that people with mobility issues can have independent access to the sea. In Chania, 3-5 km away from the town, there are 3 beaches that you can choose from if you are in a wheelchair:

• Chania Agios Onoufrios Beach
• Chania Agioi Apostoloi Beach
• Chania Nea Chora Beach is next to the Jewish Quarters in the town

Where to stay in the area (hotels that also have the infrastructure for disabled people):

• Κatakis Villas (for up to 5 guests) in Agios Onoufrios. Both Villas, Christina & Maria, have the infrastructure (access, bathroom) to accommodate disabled/ wheelchair people. The villas also offer a nice garden with a swimming pool, private and super clean modern rooms with hospitable hosts.

• Domes Noruz Chania. An exceptional 5-star hotel for people over 16 years old, right on the Agioi Apostoloi beach. Finely decorated rooms, excellent service, and local cuisine.

• Balance Hotel. The beautiful hotel has 2 rooms that are designed to accommodate disabled people. Brand new, clean-cut modern hotel, with warm details, a lovely jacuzzi, and located within walking distance of the city center. The breakfast will blow your mind!

How to Get to Chania Crete

Flights to Chania

Chania Crete airport is 15 km/9.3 mi from Chania town on the east side. It receives domestic flights from Athens (45-minute flight plus travel time to/from airports) and Thessaloniki (70′) all year round, as well as seasonal flights from many European countries during summer.

From the airport, you can get to Chania by taking taxis, rentals (we always use Discover cars), or the cheapest option (€2,5, 30′ airport-Chania), the public bus, and pre-purchase your ticket. Visit the bus website here.

Ferries to Chania

If you prefer to travel to Chania Crete by ferry (my favorite way of traveling too!), ferries leave every day for Chania from Athens’ main port, Piraeus. Piraeus is about a 25′ drive from the Athens center and you can take a taxi, private transfer, bus, or metro to get there. During summer, there are 2 options of ferries to choose from:

• The ferry departs Piraeus at 21:00 and arrives in Souda (Chania’s port) at 05:30 the next morning. Sailing overnight means that you will gain all this travel time while sleeping. Do book a cabin though, so that you get to Chania Crete fresh and relaxed or
• If you would like to sail during the day, take the ferry from Piraeus at 16:00, which arrives in Souda at 22:30.

If you arrive by ferry, the Chania port is 6 km from the town. You can take the bus, taxis are about €15 to get you to Chania center, or you could arrange for a private rental car.

Island Hopping to Chania

If you are on an island (for example, Santorini) and would like to go to Chania Crete you can take a ferry to Heraklion, the capital of Crete, and from there arrange for a car rental, taxi, or private transfer to get to Chania.

Check the timetable and book your ferry seat to Chania with FerryScanner.

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