top 10 activities in Chania
Touristic town with
Romantic old harbor,
Samaria gorge,
Balos blue lagon beach
and more to do
Why we propose the Top 10 activities to do in Chania? Chania is a very popular destination for holidays in Crete. First of all, Chania propose maybe the most beautiful beaches of Crete with Balos, Gramvoussa, Falassarna, Elafonissi,… It is also a very intzrresting departure point for Samaria gorge, the longest gorge of Europe. The old town of Chania is very romantic and tourists will appreciate its unique, romantic athmosphere and its old venetian buildings as well as the old venetian harbor.
We selected a top 10 things and activities to do while in Chania, depending on your style of activity: nature, tours, culture,…
From Chania: Gramvousa Island and Balos Bay Full-Day Tour
Balos beach is surely one of the most incredible places you will ever see in Crete! The beach of Balos , its bright blue lagoon and the island of Tigani in the background make this place in the far northwest of Crete the perfect postcard that will sum up your whole vacation.
From the top of the peninsula, you will have a breathtaking panoramic view of the beach, the lagoon and the island in the background. From here, the color of the water is indescribable.
About the tour
Your day starts with a pickup from your hotel or at a specific pick-up point with the bus. Drive towards the west side of Crete in order to reach the port of Kissamos Kasteli. After receiving all the necessary information about the cruise from your escort, arrive at the port where the Gramvousa ferry awaits you to start the cruise. Your escort will collect the money for the boat tickets from you so you can skip the lines at the ticket offices.
At about 10:20 AM set off for the island of Gramvousa which takes approximately 45 minutes. Help yourself to the ferry kitchen with self-service dishes, meals or snacks. You can sit back on a deck chair or in the lounge. During your cruise, see the elevation of the land along the cliff edges of Crete. This elevation has happened over 2000 years. The history of the island is explained through microphones in different languages.
Once you arrive at the island of Gramvousa you can either swim or take a hike to the top of the island to the Venetian fortress. There you have 2.5 hours before you continue to the lagoon of Balos which is 20 minutes away.
Enjoy 3 hours at the lagoon. You may go back to the boat for food at any time or hire umbrellas if the heat is too intense. After a swim and relaxation at the lagoon, the boat will take you straight back to the port of Kissamos.
This is a great photo opportunity as the sun will be behind you as you look out to the scenery of the island. At 6:00 PM the ferry arrives at the port and the journey comes to an end. Return time to Chania is approximately 7.00 PM.
- Tour escort
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Not included Boat ticket and Venetian Fortress entry ticket (€30)
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
Know before you go
- Lunch and water can be purchased on board the boat
- This tour can only be booked by those staying in the areas of Perivolia, Halepa, Halidon Street Alpha Bank, Chania center, Kladissos, Nea Chora, Agioi Apostoloi, Xrysi Akti, Daratso, Galatas, Kalamaki, Stalos, Agia Marina, Platanias, and Gerani
The Samariá Gorge Hike from Chania or Rethymno
The Samaria Gorge is located in the Samaria National Park since 1962, in the White Mountains, in western Crete. The gorge lenght is 16kms and is a major tourist attraction of the island and a World’s Biosphere Reserve. The village of Samariá lies just inside the gorge. It was finally abandoned by the last remaining inhabitants in 1962 to make way for the park. The village and the gorge take their names from the village’s ancient church, Óssia María.
Hike in the Samariá Gorge on a day trip from Rethymno or Chania. See the rich flora and fauna of Europe’s longest gorge. Encounter the Cretan “kri-kri” goat. End with time for a swim in the crystal-clear sea and lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli.
About the tour
Samariá Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe. An area of stunning natural beauty, it is rich with many flowers and herbs and the crystal-clear spring waters that flow from the mountains. Following an early morning pickup from the nearest point to your accommodation in Rethymno or Chania, travel through the mountains passing the plateau of Omalos. You will arrive at some wooden stairs at the start of Samariá Gorge. You can opt to start the walk straight away or get some breakfast at the taverna before you begin. Hike for approximately 6-7 hours and experience the magnificent landscape on a 16-kilometer walk. Once you have finished the hike, there will be ample time for a swim and lunch at a taverna in Agia Roumeli.
- Round-trip transportation by air-conditioned
- Hike
- Guide
- Free WiFi onboard the bus
Not included
- Entrance fees
- Boat tickets
From Rethymno & Chania: Elafonissi Island Day Tour by Bus
Elafonisi beach is an internationally classified nature reserve andhome with over 100 rare plants. It is known for its pink sand beaches, created by tidal and wave-induced deposits of pigmented microorganisms living in a symbiotic relationship with native seaweed. The colour comes from the remains of tiny pink shells that line the seafloor and turn sand into a blush pink shade that makes for a stunning backdrop. However, the wind, the motion of tides, the season and the microbes the shelled creatures eat all affect the colour of the sand. So, don’t be surprised if you don’t get to see the pink sand as in the pictures other tourists made.
Elafonisi is full of activities. If you’re a fan of snorkelling, this beach will be the right choice for you, with clear and silent shallow water of less than 10 meters. Kite surfing is another thing tourists can enjoy at Ealfonisi beach. You’ll have high winds, you have a lagoon protected from waves, which makes for an ideal setting for kitesurfing.
For those who like to discover about nature, Elafonisi is a habitat for a variety of birds, amphibians, and reptiles. i.e. the Balkan Green Lizard, the popular Mediterranean House Gecko and even a chance to spot the Caretta-caretta sea turtles who nest their eggs on the beach.
About the tour
Ride in a comfortable coach through small traditional villages and typical Mediterranean scenery. See the rugged landscape around the Topolia Gorgeand and have a stop for coffee and refreshments. Arrive at Elafonissi beach. Here, you have four hours free time to marvel at the different colors between the soft pink and white sand to the turquoise waters. As well as exploring the wonders of the beach, discover the small island. This lies just off the shore and you can reach it by strolling through the water. Both the beach and the island are protected wildlife areas of rare beauty and included in the Natura 2000 Protection Programme.
Includes
- A guide
- Bus tour
- Please bring water and wear a hat, comfortable shoes and comfortable beach clothing
Chania: 20 Minute Paragliding Tandem Flight
Get the most out of your stay in Crete with a 20 minute paragliding flight. Take your holidays to the next level and fly over the island with a professional instructor. Take in breathtaking views from the coastline to the mountains.
Upon arriving at the take-off area, take some time to enjoy the beautiful views. Your pilot will begin to prepare the glider, while constantly and thoroughly checking the weather conditions. Watch him unfold the glider and deal with the hundreds of lines — a routine procedure for him. Then, gear up, putting your harness and helmet on. As your pilot prepares, he’ll tell you a few things you need to know about the experience and describe how you’ll feel in the air, so as to make the transition into flight easier on you. As the passenger, you’ll go in front, connected to the pilot who will control the glider. He’ll inflate the glider, and all you have to do is run a few steps forward. 3, 4, and you’re off. There are no words to describe the feeling of flying over Chania, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. When you are close to the ground, you and your pilot will land softly, jogging a few steps forward as you come into contact with the ground. In rare cases, weather might make your landing a little faster. In this case, you’ll experience a bum landing. Your instructor is equipped to handle this special landing and any other issue that may arise.
About the tour
- Pickup from meeting point
- Transfer to take-off location
- Flight
- Drop-off to meeting point
- Children under 8 years
- People with mobility impairments
Get the most out of your stay in Crete with a 20 minute paragliding flight. Take your holidays to the next level and fly over the island with a professional instructor. Take in breathtaking views from the coastline to the mountains.
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Water
Not allowed
- Sandals or flip flops
- Cameras
- Intoxication
- Open-toed shoes
Know before you go
- Opt for the add-on and take home a Go-Pro video of your experience.
- Please note, the total time per person to complete the flight session is 1.5 hours. This includes transportation to take off, preflight briefing, flight, pick up from the landing and returning to the meeting point.
Chania: Authentic Cooking Class in the White Mountains
Learn more about the culture and cuisine of Crete at a unique cooking class in the White Mountains. Discover how to cook and prepare traditional recipes, and sample the local cheese and wine during a delicious lunch.
aste the authentic foods of Crete at a unique cooking class using only healthy organic ingredients, such as extra virgin olive oil, local meats, aromatic herbs and freshly picked vegetables. Stroll around the vegetable garden to get a feel for the raw produce and learn more about the herbs. Then, prepare a traditional meal and learn the secrets of how the locals cook. Go for a mountain walk to a shepherds and hear how olives are harvested. Return to the house to sample some cheese and wine from Crete and prepare some appetizers such as ntakos and tzatziki. End with a tasty lunch with wine pairings and traditional jar desserts.
About the tour
- Hotel pick-up and drop off
- Local, English-speaking driver/guide
- Transportation by air-conditioned minivan
- Small group cooking class and meal
- All ingredients for your dinner
- Use of apron and cooking utensils
- Wine and food tasting
- Commemorative gifts
- Recipes and photos of your experience, sent by email
- Liability Insurance and local taxes
- Certified services with ISO:9001
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunglasses
- Jacket
From Chania: Scuba Diving for Beginners
Discover the magical underwater world of the Aegean Sea on an amazing scuba dive for beginners, with round-trip transportation from Chania. Learn how to dive with the help of an instructor and discover what lies beneath the surface of the sea.
Discover what it feels like to breathe underwater in a safe environment with an introduction to scuba diving off a beach close to Chania. Following pick-up from your hotel in the city, head to the dive center in Almyrida to meet your PADI instructors for a pre-dive theory lesson. Benefit from 1 instructor per 2 adult students and 1 instructor for every child for maximum attention. Your friendly instructor will be with you throughout for your comfort and safety. Once you feel confident, dive to a depth of 8 meters with your instructor to marvel at the marine life beneath the surface of the sea. Choose from a morning or afternoon session to suit your schedule, and relax in the knowledge that all diving equipment will be provided, along with full insurance for your peace of mind. Photos and videos of your experience will be taken throughout, and sent to you free of charge as a fantastic souvenir of your time in Crete.
About the tour
- Pick-up and drop off at hotels in Chania
- Diving equipment
- 1 dive to a depth of 8 meters
- Full insurance
- Diving instructor
- 25-minute theory class
- Free photos and short video
Not included
- Towel
- Personal expenses
- Children under 8 years
- Pregnant women
- People with heart problems
- People with respiratory issues
What to bring
- Swimwear
Know before you go
Chania Area: The 7 Villages of Apokoronas Tour with Lunch
Take in the beauty and history of Apokoronas on a visit to area villages. See ancient monuments and scenic countryside. Enjoy a traditional lunch.
This is a tour of a unique area of Apokoronas, the East part of Chania Region. Heading to Apokoronas one of the first villages is “Gavalochori”. Following a route through the nature and traditional Cretan villages you will visit the folklore museum of Apokoronas, 7 rooms of Cretan tradition and unique handmade knitting artworks. An old lady will show you the mind-blowing knitting technique of “Kopaneli”. Pass through Kalives village and then “Xirosterni” to visit the local family “Raki” distillery. Have the chance to learn, and if you are lucky, to see the whole Raki production and taste of course this delicious Cretan spirit. Leaving Xirosterni, in a few minutes you will be at the village of Emprosneros. The experience of the Cretan cheese-making process follows. Visit a cheese factory and taste the local “Graviera” “Mizithra” or “Anthotiros” cheese varieties. After that an olive oil tasting with warm bread in the local bakery. Try the delicacies of the baker and his pure extra virgin olive oil. After that, have lunch in a traditional “kafeneio” in Fres village, speaking with the locals and learning many things about the way of life in the countryside. Have the chance to see the pure beauty and feel the real Crete around you. Apokoronas is one of the most historical places in Crete because of its people. You will definitely understand that while talking with them and hearing their stories. Apokoronas is waiting to reveal its secrets, a whole place is ready to be explored by you!
About the tour
The Miracle of Wine and Olive Oil: Day Tour from Chania
Spend an enjoyable day touring family wineries and an olive oil factory on this trip from Chania. Sit a while among the fragrant olive trees and then dive deep into nature’s miracle as you taste award-winning local wines of the Kissamos region.
Travel through stunning natural landscapes up into the mountains of the Kissamos region on this 7-hour tour from Chania. Stop at a traditional family winery, established in 1993, and learn about the varieties of wine they produce and their ideas for modern farming processes and wine production. Taste award-winning local Vidiano, Muscat of Spina and some international varieties such as Grenache rouge, Syrah and Mourvèdre that each have a unique taste due the local terroir. Next you’ll visit a traditional village and see the oldest olive tree in the world, with an estimated age of 3,000 years. This is a day filled with tasting different wine expressions of noble grapes and a variety of delicious foods. Head to another winery in the Kissamos region to taste a special local blend of white wines with Vilana, Vidiano and Assyrtiko varieties. Walk through the idyllic landscape of the vineyards and visit the family’s olive oil factory. Learn about extra virgin olive oil production. The wine tasting here will be accompanied by a tasting of extra virgin olive oils and local pure products, creating combinations your palate will never forget. You’ll also learn the Cretan way of saying goodbye drinking the award-winning Tsikoudia.
About the tour
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Entrance fees
- Food tasting
- Wine tasting
- Lunch
- Driver/guide
- Pickup and drop-off from specific locations in Chania region
- Small-group tour
- Olive oil tasting
- English-speaking guide and wine specialists
- Air-conditioned bus transfer
- ISO 9001 certified services
What to bring
- Passport or ID card
Not allowed
- Unaccompanied minors
Know before you go
From Chania: White Mountains Land Rover Safari
Take a break from the beach resorts and get back to nature on a guided tour of the White Mountains of Crete by Land Rover. See traditional villages, learn the history of the Island, and discover what it is like to live as a shepherd.
Get back to nature and look for wildlife by 4WD jeep as you drive into the White Mountains. Cross a valley full of orange groves, avocado trees, and vegetable gardens, pass through rural villages, and experience life on the island away from the beach resorts. Break for a coffee or cup of mountain tea far from the crowds. Then continue uphill to discover a typical shepherd’s hut (mitato) in a remote area that other vehicles can’t reach. Learn about the local graviera cheese and what life is like as a shepherd. Keep a look out for eagles and wild goats, and then venture along a rocky road to get panoramic vistas from 1,350 meters above sea level. Return towards Chania via the village of Therisso, where you will stop to try the local produce at a traditional family-run tavern. Next, follow the road through the amazing Therisso gorge to arrive back in Chania
About the tour
10
Chania: Old Town Highlights Private Tour with Street Food
Discover the wonders of Chania’s historic Old Town on this private guided tour. With a local, explore Chania’s charming streets, learn about the area’s history and culture, see famous landmarks, and enjoy traditional Cretan street food. Meet your guide in Chania’s bustling market, then set off into historic Old Town. Unravel the history of Chania as you stroll around the streets and admire the impressively well-preserved architecture. Stroll along the cobbled narrow paths of the city, and learn about Chania’s Venetian past, renaissance heritage, and Ottoman influences. Pass by famous landmarks and soak up the charming atmosphere as you mingle with the locals. As you explore, discover the flavors of Cretan cuisine, stop at colorful food shops and taverns, selling wine, olive-oil, cheese, herbs, spices, and more, and enjoy street food samples along the way.
About the tour
Book your flight to Chania
