Before you go

Your trip to Chania.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

Chania – Creta Destination Creta about 140 km from Heraclião

How to get there

Aeroporto Internacional de Chania Ioannis Daskalogiannis (CHQ) Akrotiri · 14 km
Porto de Souda (Limani Soudas) Souda · 7 km
Estação de ônibus KTEL de Chania 1 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before buying. From Atenas, the flight to Chania airport takes about an hour; the airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 14 km from the centre, with buses and taxis. The overnight ferry from Pireu arrives at Souda port, 7 km away, where there are buses to the city. From Heraclião, KTEL buses take nearly three hours along the northern highway; from Rethymno, about an hour.

How many days

Three days: one for the old town and the museums, one for the Samaria Gorge or Elafonisi, and another for Balos and Falasarna or the Akrotiri peninsula. With five days you can do all this unhurriedly and still sample the cuisine of the inland villages.

When to go

From May to October for the beaches and for the Samaria Gorge, which usually opens in that period. June and September are very hot without the crowds of July and August. April and October are good for the town and for walks, with the sea still cold for many. In winter the old town is quiet and the mountains behind it often show snow.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

You don't need a car for the town, which is walked, nor for the Samaria Gorge, which has KTEL buses and tours. For Elafonisi, Balos, Falasarna and the Akrotiri peninsula, a car or an organized excursion makes a difference. In summer buses reach Elafonisi and Kissamos, but with limited schedules; check in advance.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Chania

Morning
Venetian harbour and lighthouse
Start at the puerto veneziano, in the square by the mesquita dos janízaros. Walk along the breakwater to the lighthouse and return on the west side, where the Firkas fortress is located, housing the Museu Marítimo de Creta.
Afternoon
Topanas, Jewish quarter and Splantzia
Have lunch at a taverna in the alleys behind the harbour and lose yourself in Topanas and the old Jewish quarter, with the Etz Hayyim synagogue. Head east to Splantzia, quieter, with the square and the church of Agios Nikolaos, which has both a bell tower and a minaret.
Late afternoon
Museu Arqueológico in Halepa
Take a taxi or walk to the Halepa neighbourhood to visit the Museu Arqueológico de Chania in the new building, and return along the waterfront.
Evening
Jantar no porto
The tavernas on the harbour and those on Zambeliou Street and Splantzia square serve fish and Cretan dishes. The lighthouse is lit up.

3 days in Chania

Day 1

Morning
Porto veneziano, lighthouse and Museu Marítimo
Harbour, breakwater to the lighthouse and Museu Marítimo de Creta in the Firkas fortress.
Afternoon
Old town
Topanas, the Jewish quarter and Etz Hayyim synagogue, then Splantzia and Kastelli, the hill where the town began.
Late afternoon
Archaeological Museum
The museum in Halepa, with the Minoan finds from Kydonia, the ancient name of Chania.
Evening
Port
Dinner with a view of the lighthouse.

Day 2

Morning
Samaria Gorge
Leave early by bus or tour for Omalos and walk the 16 km of the gorge to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. Bring water and snacks; the descent takes about five to seven hours.
Afternoon
Agia Roumeli
Swim in Agia Roumeli while waiting for the boat to Chora Sfakion or Sougia.
Late afternoon
Boat and bus back
The boat takes you to the port where a bus waits to return to Chania; arrival is usually at night.
Evening
Rest
Light dinner near your accommodation.

Day 3

Morning
Balos or Elafonisi
By car, head west: Balos, with the lagoon visible from the top of the trail, or Elafonisi, with its pink sand and shallow lagoon. Arrive before 10:00 a.m. to find parking.
Afternoon
Falasarna
On the way back from Balos, stop at Falasarna for the wide beach and the ruins of the ancient city. If you went to Elafonisi, stay there for the entire afternoon.
Late afternoon
Kissamos
Coffee in Kissamos before returning to Chania via the northern road.
Evening
Chania
Last night in the old town.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get from Chania airport to the centre?

The airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula, about 14 km away. There are KTEL buses to the central station and taxis at the exit. The journey takes 25 to 40 minutes.

Is Chania far from Heraclião?

It's about 140 km via the northern highway, roughly two hours by car or almost three by KTEL bus, with a stop in Rethymno. Many people arrive via Heraclião and leave from Chania, or vice versa.

Can you do the Samaria Gorge from Chania without a car?

Yes. KTEL buses depart in the early morning for Omalos, and at the end of the day the boat from Agia Roumeli takes you to a port where another bus waits to return to Chania. Organized excursions follow the same route. The gorge usually opens from May to October; check ahead.

How long does it take from Chania to Elafonisi and Balos?

Elafonisi is about 75 km away, roughly an hour and a half by car on mountain roads. Balos is about 55 km to the parking area, with the last kilometres on a dirt road and then some 30 minutes of downhill walking; or you can go by boat from Kissamos.

Where to stay in Chania?

In the old town, around the harbour: Topanas to the west and Splantzia to the east are the most sought-after neighbourhoods. For beaches, the stretch of Nea Chora to the west, or Agia Marina and Platanias a few kilometres away.

Back to Chania