Top Chania How to Get Around

Explore the enchanting streets of Chania as the sun sets, embarking on a delightful evening food tour. Start with lychnaraki, then savor exquisite local cheeses at a dairy shop. Enjoy warm, honey-drizzled loukoumades, and taste premium olive oil, honey, and local spirits at a traditional grocery store. Wander through the picturesque alleyways of the Venetian harbor before concluding your culinary journey at a charming taverna with an authentic Cretan feast, including homemade baklava for dessert. - Evening stroll through Chania’s charming streets and local hidden gems - Sample traditional Cretan delicacies like lychnaraki and loukoumades - Enjoy tastings of local cheeses, premium olive oil, and honey - End with a hearty Cretan meal and a slice of homemade baklava

Farms are at the heart of the Cretan way of life and food alike. Enjoy an up-close encounter with a local family on their organic farm when you book this small-group cooking class. Get hands-on with activities such as goat milking and cheese making and tour an olive grove and a vineyard. Then prepare a typical Cretan lunch and enjoy it with wine, raki liquor, traditional music—and great conversation.

Enjoy an unforgettable cruise with convenient hotel pick-up included. Your first stop is the famous Balos Lagoon, where you’ll spend around 3 hours swimming in crystal-clear turquoise waters, relaxing on golden sand, and soaking in the exotic scenery. The journey then continues to Gramvousa, known as the “pirates’ island.” Here you’ll have nearly 2 hours to swim at the pristine beach or hike up to the Venetian fortress for breathtaking panoramic views over the Aegean. At the end of the day, return by boat and transfer back to your hotel, filled with memories of two of Crete’s most spectacular destinations.

Elafonissi Beach frequently appears on lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches because of its stunning pink colored sand and aquamarine water. Avoid the hassle of figuring out local public transport schedules and travel on with ease on an air-conditioned bus. Along the way, see pretty traditional villages—such as Elos and have plenty of time to relax and unwind at the beach.

Make your way to Chania and indulge in a gastronomic getaway featuring all that's special about this Mediterranean island. On this walking tour, taste local delicacies such as raki, tsikoudia, and bougatsa with plenty of cheese, olives, sweets, and pita gyros (except for tours starting before 11). Plus, experience some unique gems too; explore an herb store known only by locals and marvel at renowned traditional knives crafted on site.

Get your Crete vacation off to the perfect start as you discover the town of Chania and Cretans’ favorite activity, eating, with a private guide. Sample signatures including Greek coffee, local cheese, raki, Crete’s answer to grappa, and bougatsa, a custard pie with phyllo pastry, then enjoy lunch. You’ll also tour the city highlights, including the lighthouse, the mosque and the Old Venetian Harbor.

With its turquoise waters and pale sands, Balos Beach and Lagoon is one of Crete’s most-photographed locations. Beat the crowds and discover it and Gramvousa Island from the water on this lively catamaran cruise with an onboard entertainer, snacks, brunch, and lunch included—as well as hot drinks, soft drinks, and water. Upgrade for a VIP package, featuring a reserved sunbed and towel on the sunny upper deck, plus priority boarding.

If you like to explore independently but would prefer not to risk self-driving Cretan roads or doing battle for parking in Chania, this trip with hotel transfers is perfect for you. As you travel from Rethymno to Chania, your tour leader will clue you in on the city’s history and explain everything there is to see. You have half a day to explore independently before returning to your hotel.

Pair the freedom of independent travel with the ease of your own private driver when you book this door-to-door car service to the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Explore the legendary lair of the Minotaur—and the center of Minoan civilization—independently, then see the sights of historic Heraklion. Onboard Wi-Fi saves on roaming charges, but entrance fees are at your own expense.

Relax on the paradise-like island of Elafonisi on this family-friendly day trip. Admire western Crete’s hills and traditional villages on a drive to the southwest coast, and stop for coffee at the Cave of Agia Sofia. Then, spend the afternoon on the idyllic protected islet of Elafonisi, enjoying its pink sands and clear seas. Includes round-trip transport plus select hotel pickup and drop-off.

One of the largest aquariums in Greece, Cretaquarium (Thalassokosmos) sits in Gournes, beyond Heraklion. It's around a 2.5-hour drive from Chania, and incredibly time-consuming to reach using public transit. Skip the self-drive stress when you book this private 2-way transfer service, with pickup and drop-off from your Chania hotel or private rental. Onboard Wi-Fi keeps you connected over the journey.

Taxi and rideshare prices can change on the day, but a prebooked transfer always costs the same, regardless of traffic. Ensure a stress-free, cost-controlled transfer from Chania airport on Souda Bay to your hotel or precise address in the Chania city area by booking this private service. There’s space for up to four travelers.

Discover a side of Crete that few other visitors get to experience—and enjoy a more personalized way to travel—on this private, full-day Jeep safari tour. After pickup from your Chania hotel, head into nature and off-road as you drive through the White Mountains, spot the Samaria Gorge, and more. In between, visit wine and olive oil producers, discover a 3,000-year-old olive tree, enjoy a traditional local lunch, and more.

This private day tour makes it easy to visit Elafonisi from Chania. You’ll travel by comfortable van so don't worry about catching public transport. Snorkeling and stand-up paddle-boarding gear will be provided so you can get active on the water, or simply, relax on the beach, swim, and explore the sand dunes and lagoon. As this is a private tour, the starting time can be customized to suit your needs.

Discover the highlights of western Crete on this well-paced Chania shore excursion, designed for cruise passengers visiting this port of call. Your shore excursion from the dock begins with convenient port pickup, followed by a visit to Agia Triada Monastery where you can explore the grounds and enter the church to admire its architecture and learn about Cretan religious traditions. Continue to Stavros Beach, set against a stunning mountain backdrop and made famous by the classic film Zorba the Greek, where you will enjoy free time to relax by the sea in a stunning setting. This 6 hour shore excursion continues with a guided walk through Chania Old Town and the Old Venetian Harbor, with time to explore at your own pace. The tour includes: * Guided shore excursion with port pickup and drop-off * Duration tailored to your time in port * Includes transportation and guided touring Enjoy this seamless and well-balanced shore excursion combining culture, scenery, and free time.

Knossos is Crete's largest and most impressive Bronze Age archaeological site, but exploring independently means you may miss its ancient secrets. On this tour, reach Knossos by air-conditioned coach with round-trip transport from your Chania hotel included, and explore the site as your guide shares its fascinating myths and legends. Learn of powerful rulers such as King Minos, and admire Minoan relics in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.

A great way to get familiarized with Elafonissi, this full-day tour from Chania includes hotel pickup and a scenic drive through villages and lush mountains. Arrive in Elafonissi, known for its pink coral sand beaches and clear waters. Wade through the lagoon to reach the island's beaches where you can relax and unwind before your return transfer.

Add a day on the island of Santorini to your Crete vacation with this convenient day trip. Round-trip boat transfers from Rethymno port are included along with a tour of the island when you arrive. Sit back and relax as you travel in air-conditioned comfort around Santorini’s most scenic spots, and spend time in Oia, the village famous for its whitewashed houses and sweeping coastal views.

Reaching Knossos and Heraklion from Chania means crossing Crete, and getting between the ruins and the museum requires a car. Join a small-group tour that handles the route, with a guide walking you through the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, where many of the site's finds are kept.

Near Chania—on the Greek island of Crete—lies Balos Lagoon, home to crystal-clear waters and pristine sandy beaches. Swim, snorkel, and relax under the warm Mediterranean sun away from the crowds on this full-day small-group catamaran cruise stopping at the lagoon and Gramvousa Island, where you’ll find an old pirate fortress. Hotel pickup is available, and departures are offered on two catamarans with different group sizes.

Even if you’re not normally a history buff, a visit to Heraklion is a must when in Rethymno. The area’s home to the Palace of Knossos, home of the legendary half-bull half-man Minotaur, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of Greece’s top museums. On this tour, which includes a guide but excludes entrance fees, you’ll visit both with time to explore Heraklion and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.

Eat and drink like a local on this Chania shore excursion, which celebrates local craft beer and food. In a small group, sample local beers and taste traditional Cretan dishes as your guide leads you on a relaxed walk around Chania's Venetian Harbour. Try local honey, olive oil, liqueurs, and nut butters at a deli, enjoy classic dishes at a restaurant, and taste Cretan and Greek craft beer samples at a pub.

This private tour includes three stops. First, experience the unique pink sand and postcard-worthy views at Elafonissi Beach. Then it’s on to Chrisoskalitissa Monastery, a 17-century structure built atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. Finally, tour the Cave of Agia Sofia with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. The tour price includes up to seven people.