Chania is the second-largest city of Crete and one of the loveliest cities in Greece. At its centre is the Venetian harbour of the fourteenth century with a lighthouse, fish restaurants and the Mosque of the Janissaries, around which spreads the old town with narrow lanes, Turkish baths and coloured houses. In the surroundings lie the island's best natural beauties: Samaria Gorge, one of the longest in Europe, the Balos lagoon with turquoise water and Elafonisi beach with pink sand. Chania is atmospheric, less crowded than Heraklion and prices are mid-range. From Prague direct flights run in season in three hours. The best time is May to June and September to October; in summer it is over thirty degrees. You pay in euros. Chania is a great choice for those who want to combine city, beaches and hiking, and for those who want to get to know real Greek cooking.
The places worth your time in Chania, and what to expect at each
old town
A picturesque harbour of the fourteenth century with a lighthouse, the Mosque of the Janissaries and a row of cafés and fish restaurants. It is the heart of Chania and the best place for an evening stroll. In the evening the harbour lights up and music plays.
Tip: Dine in a lane behind the harbour; prices are a third lower. The loveliest view is at sunset from the lighthouse.
old town
Narrow lanes with Venetian and Turkish houses, cafés and shops. The Splantzia quarter is calmer and authentic, with small tavernas. It is the best place for aimless wandering.
Tip: Go into the lanes in the morning hours, when it is calm. Leather goods shops on Skridlof Street are a speciality.
harbour
An Ottoman mosque of 1645 by the harbour, the only surviving building of its kind in Chania, today an exhibition space. The dome is the symbol of the harbour. The interior is empty but interesting.
Tip: Entry is free; inside there is often an exhibition. Photograph it from the pier at sunset.
White Mountains
One of the longest gorges in Europe at sixteen kilometres, inside the White Mountains National Park. The trail runs between rock walls up to three hundred metres high and ends at the sea in the village of Agia Roumeli. It is a demanding hike for a full day.
Tip: The gorge is open from May to October. Bring sturdy shoes, water and a snack; from the harbour of Agia Roumeli a boat leaves for Sfakia, from where a bus runs to Chania. Start early in the morning.
Gramvousa
A turquoise lagoon on the north-western tip of Crete with white sand and shallow water. Reached by boat from Kissamos or by a dirt track. It is one of the most photographed places in Greece.
Tip: A boat trip from Kissamos costs about thirty euros; in summer it is crowded, so come early in the morning. Bring water and a hat, as there is little shade.
south-west Crete
A beach in the south-west of the island with pink sand and a shallow lagoon that can be waded across to a small islet. The pink tint comes from crushed shells. It is the best-known beach of western Crete.
Tip: Come before ten, before the coaches arrive. In summer it is full; bring an umbrella, as there is little shade. The drive takes an hour and a half.
Akrotiri
A Venetian monastery of the seventeenth century on the Akrotiri peninsula, with a Renaissance façade, a courtyard and an icon museum. It is ringed by olive groves and excellent olive oil and wine are sold here. A calm place near Chania.
Tip: Entry costs about three euros. Come in the morning; at midday it is closed. Also drive to the nearby Gouverneto monastery.
70 km from Chania
A Venetian town with a fortress, harbour and narrow lanes, an hour's drive east of Chania. It is calmer than Chania and has a long beach. It suits half a day.
Tip: The Fortezza costs about four euros. Lunch by the harbour; prices are mid-range.
south Crete
A shorter and easier alternative to Samaria, an eight-kilometre gorge in the south of Crete where the rocks reach up to a hundred metres. The hike takes two to three hours and suits families. It ends at the village of Komitades.
Tip: The gorge is open all year and entry costs about two euros. Bring water and sturdy footwear; a taxi or bus covers the way back.
Photos: The Venetian Harbour — Ввласенко (CC BY-SA 3.0) · The Old Town and Splantzia — C messier (CC BY-SA 4.0) · The Mosque of the Janissaries — Martin Belam (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Agia Triada Monastery — Wolfgang Sauber (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Rethymno — Lapplaender (CC BY-SA 3.0 de) · Imbros Gorge — Tango7174 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Areas and districts, matched to the kind of trip you are taking
Best for: atmosphere and restaurants
The area around the Venetian harbour and Splantzia with small hotels in Renaissance houses. Everything is at hand, but noisy in the evening. Best for a first visit.
Best for: beach and calm
The district west of the old town with a city beach and fish tavernas. It is calmer and cheaper. A good choice for families.
Best for: beach resorts
The west coast with long beaches, hotels and bars, ten to fifteen minutes from town. It is lively with all-inclusive options. Suits families.
Best for: calm and nature
Quiet villages east of Chania with beaches and tavernas by the sea. Prices are lower. Suits a calm holiday.
Chania Airport (CHQ) is fourteen kilometres from the centre, with flights from Prague in season in three hours. A bus runs to the centre in twenty-five minutes and a taxi costs about thirty euros. By car from the Czech Republic you go through Italy and by ferry from Patras or Piraeus; it is complicated, so we recommend flying. Heraklion (HER) is two hours' drive away.
Chania Daskalogiannis (CHQ) · 14 km
Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis (HER) · 140 km
The centre of Chania can be walked. In the south and west a rental car is handy; roads are narrow and winding. KTEL buses run to Rethymno, Kissamos and Sfakia. Taxis are cheap.
Useful apps: Google Maps, KTEL, Beat, Maps.me
Chania has a Mediterranean climate with a hot dry summer and a mild rainy winter. In July it is around thirty-one degrees and the sea twenty-four. The best time is May to June and September to October. Samaria Gorge is open from May to October.
Best time
May to June and September to October
What to avoid
July and August (heat and crowds)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 15° | 15° | 17° | 20° | 24° | 28° | 31° | 31° | 28° | 24° | 20° | 16° |
| Night | 9° | 9° | 10° | 12° | 15° | 19° | 22° | 22° | 20° | 17° | 13° | 10° |
| Rainy days | 100 | 80 | 60 | 30 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 50 | 80 | 100 |
| Sea | 16° | 16° | 16° | 16° | 18° | 21° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 23° | 20° | 18° |
Cretan cooking is among the healthiest in the world: olive oil, fresh vegetables, cheeses and fish. A main dish costs eight to fifteen euros. People drink wine, raki and beer.
Dakos
A barley rusk with tomatoes, mizithra cheese and olive oil, a Cretan starter. Light and refreshing.
Kalitsounia
Small cheese pies with mint or honey, a traditional Cretan treat. Served at breakfast.
Gamopilafo
Wedding rice cooked in meat stock, a traditional dish of Chania. Hearty and delicate.
Fresh fish and seafood
Cuttlefish, octopus and fish grilled with olive oil. Best in the harbour.
Sfakianes pites
Thin pies filled with cheese and drizzled with honey, a speciality of Sfakia. Both sweet and savoury.
Raki (tsikoudia)
A clear grape brandy, served free after a meal. Strong and aromatic.
Greek salad and olives
Tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese with olive oil. The basis of every meal.
Frappé coffee
€3–4
Lunch in a taverna
€10–18
Dakos
€6–8
A beer
€3–4.5
Samaria (entry)
€5
Boat to Balos
€30
3★ hotel (night)
€70–160
Bus from the airport
€2.5
Indicative prices that change over time — treat them as a guide, not a price list.
1 day
2 days
3 days
Rethymno
70 km · 1 hr by car or bus
A Venetian town with a fortress and harbour, calmer than Chania. It suits half a day.
Elafonisi
75 km · 1 hr 30 min by car
A beach with pink sand and a shallow lagoon. It suits a full-day trip.
Samaria
45 km · 1 hr by bus
One of the longest gorges in Europe, sixteen kilometres, a full-day hike. Start early in the morning and return by boat and bus.
Four to five days suffice for the city, Elafonisi and Samaria. For Balos and Rethymno add another day. Chania is a good base for western Crete.
May to June and September to October, when it is warm and less crowded. In July and August it is full and over thirty degrees. Samaria is open from May to October.
It is sixteen kilometres, mostly downhill, and takes six to eight hours. Good fitness and footwear are needed. An easier alternative is Imbros Gorge.
By car in an hour and a half or by KTEL bus in season. The road is winding. Come before ten; later it is full.
It is mid-range: lunch costs ten to eighteen euros, a hotel seventy to a hundred and sixty euros a night. Cheapest is accommodation away from the old town and tavernas away from the harbour.
For beaches and gorges yes, a car is most comfortable. For the city walking and KTEL buses suffice. Rental costs about thirty euros a day.
Yes, it has gradual beaches, a safe city and easier hikes. Children will enjoy the harbour and boat trips. Platanias suits all inclusive.
Dakos, kalitsounia and fresh fish. With them free raki after the meal. Sfakianes pites are typical sweet pies.
Check the latest visa requirements for entering this country. Some nationalities may need to apply for a visa or e-visa before travel.
Check visa requirementsLanguage
Greek
Currency
EUR
Timezone
Europe/Athens
Dial Code
+30
Population
10.4M
Area
131,957 km²
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Driving Side
Right
