Crete · Chania

Excursions from Chania

The best of West Crete from your Chania base: the turquoise waters of Balos, the pink sand of Elafonisi, the Samaria Gorge and relaxed sunset cruises, all with hotel pick-up.

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Balos Lagoon near Chania, Crete ★ Loved by 50k+ travellers
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All excursions from Chania.

40 excursions
Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View
Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View
Legends of Crete Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View
From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View
Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View
Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View
Crete: WaterCity Waterpark Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View
Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View
Not sure which to pick

Choosing your Chania trip.

Different trips leave Chania every day, and no two feel the same. Here is how our West Crete team would match the right one to your plans.

Sunset Catamaran CruiseShort on timeSunset Catamaran CruiseThree and a half hours off Chania at golden hour, with a swim stop and drinks on deck, no full day needed.See the trip Elafonisi Beach TripTravelling with kidsElafonisi Beach TripPink sand and warm, ankle-deep shallows on the southwest tip, the gentlest west-coast beach for young children.See the trip Most popularBalos Lagoon and GramvousaBest on the waterBalos Lagoon & GramvousaCrete's most photographed lagoon on the wild Gramvousa peninsula, reached by boat from Kissamos, worth the early start for the colour.See the trip Samaria Gorge HikeOne big day outSamaria Gorge HikeThe 16 km walk down Europe's longest gorge, through the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli.See the trip
Book with the operator

Booking Chania direct.

The local team, not a reseller

You deal with the Chania office that actually runs the Balos boats and the Samaria walks, not a platform reselling someone else's tour.

Real people, quick to answer

A local team you can reach daily from 08:00 to 22:00 on the phone, WhatsApp and Viber, before your trip and on the day itself.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is set around your hotel, whether you are in Chania town, Agia Marina, Platanias or the west-coast resorts.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The price on the card is ours, with no third-party booking fee quietly added on top.

If the sea or the weather forces us to cancel a Balos or gorge departure, you move to another date or take a full refund.

The destination

About Chania.

Chania is West Crete's old capital, and its Venetian harbour is one of the island’s most photographed places. Narrow lanes of Venetian and Ottoman houses lead down to the waterfront, the old lighthouse and the historic covered market. It is a working port with centuries of history, not a resort built for visitors.

Behind the town rise the White Mountains, cut by gorges that run down to the Libyan Sea. The west coast holds some of Crete's most famous beaches, from the blue lagoon of Balos and the pink sand of Elafonisi to the long shallows of Falassarna, and most of them are an easy day trip from a Chania base. It also makes a base for exploring the rest of Crete, with Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi all within reach.

RegionWest Crete
Old townVenetian harbour & lighthouse
Known forBeaches, gorges & the old port
Weather

When to visit Chania.

The excursion season runs from April to late October, with warm seas that last well into autumn. Summer is hot and busy, while May, June and September stay comfortable for walking.

MonthAir (day)SeaHow busy
May24°C20°CQuiet
June28°C22°CBuilding
July31°C24°CBusy
August31°C26°CBusy
September28°C25°CEasing
October24°C24°CQuiet
Fewest crowdsMay and October, with mild days and open beaches.
Warmest seaAugust into September, ideal for the boat trips.
Best for the Samaria hikeLate May to June and September, before the peak heat.
Getting here

How to get to Chania.

Chania is easy to reach by air or by sea. Here is how each arrival works and roughly how long it takes to get into town.

Arriving by air

Chania International Airport (CHQ) sits about 14 km east of the centre on the Akrotiri peninsula. It handles direct flights from across Europe through the season, and a taxi or transfer reaches the old town in around twenty minutes.

Arriving by sea

Ferries from Piraeus dock at the port of Souda, roughly 7 km from town, with regular overnight and daytime crossings from the mainland. From the port a taxi or private transfer runs into central Chania in about fifteen minutes.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Chania.

Pick your base by the kind of trip you want: old-town buzz, family beaches or a quiet coast.

Browse hotels near Chania
Chania Old Town

Steps from the Venetian harbour and the tavernas, with most pick-ups on your doorstep. Best for atmosphere and walking everywhere.

Platanias & Agia Marina

Lively beach resorts a short drive west of town. Good for families, sandy beaches and a bit of nightlife.

Apokoronas & the east

Georgioupoli, Almyrida and Kalyves: a greener, calmer coast 30 to 40 minutes east, with long sandy beaches.

Kissamos & the west

The closest base to Balos, Falassarna and Elafonisi. Quiet and scenic, ideal if beaches are your priority.

Sights & monuments

What to see in Chania.

Beyond the beaches, Chania keeps centuries of Venetian, Ottoman and Cretan history within a short walk of the old harbour.

Venetian Harbour & Lighthouse

The 16th-century Egyptian lighthouse and the curved old port, the signature view of Chania.

Firkas Fortress

The Venetian sea fortress at the harbour mouth, now home to the Maritime Museum of Crete.

The Municipal Market

A cross-shaped 1913 market hall of stalls selling Cretan cheese, honey, herbs and raki.

Archaeological Museum

Minoan to Roman finds from across western Crete, in a striking modern building in the Halepa district that opened in 2022.

Ancient Aptera

Hilltop ruins above Souda Bay with Roman cisterns and wide views over the gulf, 14km east.

The Old Town & sea walls

A maze of Venetian and Ottoman lanes, the Splantzia quarter and the surviving harbour walls.

Food & drink

Taste of Chania.

Cretan cooking is a highlight of Greek cuisine, shaped by the island’s olive oil, wild greens, cheese and honey. In Chania you'll find it in the tavernas of the Splantzia quarter, the harbour backstreets and around the historic covered market.

Start with dakos and a plate of local graviera, try slow-cooked lamb or the wedding rice known as gamopilafo, and finish the way locals do, with a small glass of raki, usually on the house.

Local specialties to try
Dakos Bougatsa Graviera cheese Gamopilafo Raki Cretan honey
One trusted partner

Plan your whole Chania trip.

Book every part of your Chania trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFind flights to Chania (CHQ) FerriesFerry tickets to Souda port TransfersAirport & port pick-up Car rentalRent a car in Crete HotelsStays in & around Chania
Practical info

Good to know for Chania.

CurrencyEuro (€)
LanguageGreek and English widely spoken
Emergency112 (all services)
Time zoneGMT+2 (GMT+3 in summer)
PaymentsCards accepted, cash for villages
Peak seasonJuly and August
ConnectivityEU roaming, free Wi-Fi common
SafetyVery safe, low crime
Beaches

Beaches near Chania.

The stand-out beaches within reach of Chania. Tap through to plan each one.

Plan your days

How long for Chania?

Three days covers the west-coast highlights. A week lets you add Rethymno, the White Mountains and the quieter southern beaches.

1Chania Old Town
  • MorningThe Venetian harbour, the lighthouse and the covered market.
  • AfternoonA swim at Nea Chora or a nearby town beach.
  • EveningDinner in the Splantzia backstreets.
2Balos & Gramvousa
  • Full dayBoat trip from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and the Gramvousa fortress island.
  • Good to knowIn high season, book the cruise ahead, as it sells out.
3Elafonisi or Samaria
  • Beach dayThe pink-sand Elafonisi lagoon on the southwest coast.
  • Or a hikeThe 16km Samaria Gorge down to Agia Roumeli.
Before you book

Your Chania questions

When is the best time to visit Chania?

May, June, September and October give warm weather with thinner crowds. July and August are the hottest and busiest, with the warmest sea for swimming.

Do I need a car in Chania?

Not for our excursions, which include pick-up. A rental car or private transfer is handy for the days you explore on your own, and we can arrange both.

Where in Chania is the pick-up?

Most excursions include pick-up from central Chania hotels and nearby resorts such as Platanias, Agia Marina and Georgioupoli. Times are confirmed after booking.

How hard is the Samaria Gorge hike?

It's a long downhill walk of around 16km on uneven ground, but doable for anyone reasonably fit with good shoes and water. Tell us if you'd prefer an easier option.

Is Balos better by boat or by road?

Both work. The boat trip is relaxed with swim stops, while the road route allows more beach time. We can recommend the best fit for your group.

Are these excursions family-friendly?

Yes. Elafonisi and the boat trips are especially good with children. Look for the Family tag or tell us your group's ages.

What if an excursion is cancelled for weather?

You're offered another date or a full refund if we cancel for weather or safety, always explained clearly.

Can I do Balos and Elafonisi on the same day?

No, each is a full day from Chania. Balos is a boat trip from Kissamos in the northwest and Elafonisi is on the southwest coast, so they are done on separate days.

Is the sand at Elafonisi really pink?

In places, yes. The pink tint comes from crushed shells and shows most where the waves break. It varies day to day and is always softer than it looks in photos.

How early do the Balos trips leave?

The Kissamos boats sail mid-morning, so pick-up from Chania is usually between 07:30 and 09:00 depending on your hotel. Your exact time is confirmed after booking.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece
Simple & secure

Booking Chania, step by step.

1

Search & compare trips

Compare Chania excursions by type, date and budget, then choose the day out that works best for you.

2

Book with confidence

Reserve your Chania excursion online in minutes, with confirmation and a voucher delivered to your inbox.

3

Meet your local guide

Your licensed local guide meets you on the day and takes care of the practical details, so you can enjoy Chania.

Ready to explore Chania?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.