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Chania and I – that was love at first sight. An unexpected one because after all I had come to Greece in search of iconic white and blue houses, and kittens. Chania only delivered in the kitten department but I didn’t care, there was grit and charm to the island and its people.
Chania is both a city and a region in the northwest part of Crete. Until 1971 Chania was the capital of Crete but was replaced by Heraklion. If you are not a cat lover you may ask what to do in Chania? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered and show you some of my favorite things to see & do in town and the Chania region.
WHAT TO DO IN CHANIA – Things to do, see & explore
QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR CHANIA TRIP
My favorite hotels in Chania
- J&G Suites – The nicest boutique hotel in the center of the Old Town.
- Fagotto Art Residences – A cute option close to the Harbor in an old building but with modern amenities.
- Koum Kapi Boutique Apartments – Perfect little studio in Koum Kapi right by the beach.
Cool activities in Chania
- Delicious Chania Street Food Tour
- Elafonissi Beach Trip from Chania
- 3 Hour Manousakis Winery Tasting with Shuttle
- Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania
Practical things
Practical tips for your Chania visit
Money matters
In case you are not from Europe, well Chania is part of Greece and thus part of the EU. Therefore you will pay with Euro. To curb tax evasion, Greece has a rule that you will get a receipt for the most minuscule purchases – at shops, in restaurants, and at petrol stations.
Most restaurants and hotels these days will accept credit cards (though it might be tricky for American Express holders). You don’t need to pay an extra fee to pay with your credit card.
For smaller shops and purchases a bit of cash is definitely a good idea. In Chania City there are plenty of ATMs however if you are traveling outside the city you should plan ahead. I usually type ATM into my Google Maps and it will show me the closest ones.
Avoid the EuroMart ATM as they are notorious for their high fees. Regular bank ATMs won’t charge you more than a couple of Euros.
Wifi & Internet
The internet in Crete is pretty good overall. Most hotels and guesthouses have free wifi, connection and speed will depend on the location – if you are staying in Chania’s Old Town thick walls can sometimes get in the way.
And obviously the more remote you get, the spottier it might be. Especially if you are driving through Chania, you should get yourself an eSIM to stay connected. That is of course, if you are not from Europe and can’t use your regular mobile data for roaming.
I can recommend Airalo which offers a few different cards from Meraki Mobile from 1 GB to 50 GB, valid for 3 to 30 days. Those can be topped up easily should you run out of data. In addition, they have various packages with unlimited data. If you happen to travel elsewhere in Europe afterward, you can get one of their Europe eSIMs that is valid in 42 countries.
HOW TO GET TO CHANIA
While Crete’s main airport is in Heraklion, Chania has its own international airport (CHQ). You can either fly via Athens or Thessaloniki but when traveling during high season you will also find many direct flights from various European destinations.
While you can use the public busses to get around in Crete it is not something I have tried and can comment on. I have always had a rental car in Crete and it is something I wholeheartedly recommend – the island is perfect for road trips and traffic is not too crazy even in Chania town. My rental car came from PANCAR who delivered it directly to me in front of airport arrivals and picked it up from me in front of departures. No lengthy trip to an office, no waiting around, and when I left someone was already waiting for me at the departure gate to receive my keys.
From the airport, it is about 20 minutes to get to Chania town by car. If you don’t have your own car yet, you can take a taxi or even better yet book a transfer with Welcome Pickups. The price is approximately 33 EUR, and not more than a taxi. Meanwhile you will get your driver’s WhatsApp number and they will also monitor your flight – honestly, I could not recommend them more, they are so convenient.
Read more: How to plan a great Crete road trip
What to do in Chania
Chania Old Town
The old town of Chania is easily explored by foot and as I learned best done early in the morning when the streets are empty except for a few early bird cats. Then again, the light is most beautiful for sunset so maybe come back and stay for dinner.
In the morning get yourself a Greek coffee and wander along the Venetian Harbor, walk to the lighthouse, and take pictures of the Kucjk Hassan Mosque, also called Mosque of the Janissaries.
Afterward, get lost in the small roads and alleys – Chania Old Town reminded me of Venice (duh) but also historic towns like Mdina in Malta.
Museums fans should check out the Nautical Museum of Crete (Maritime Museum) and the Archaeological Museum of Chania. Needless to say, I was too busy playing with cats and drinking raki but I heard they are great museums.
Beaches in Chania
You don’t need to venture far to explore some of the best beaches in Crete. There are plenty of opportunities to take a dip close to the city center and I was quite impressed even just seeing the water quality in the harbor.
If you head over to Koum Kapi just outside of the old town you will find a long promenade along the bay and some of the clearest water. There is not really a beach to speak of but a tiny stretch of sand with just enough space for a few towels. However, it is a great place to take a dip in the morning as the water is shallow and warm. All along the quay wall, stairs are leading down to the water and there are even some showers and hooks along the wall where you can hang your towel.
If you are in the mood for a proper beach day head to famous Elafonisi or Balos Beach. Both are great options for day trips from Chania as the drive to Elafonisi in the south will take about 1.5 and Balos requires a hike or a boat trip. If you like the idea of a hike make sure to check your rental car’s paperwork – the drive to where you can park your car is a bit precarious and some car rentals explicitly forbid it unless you have a 4×4.
Falasarna beach is a good compromise as it is not too far and easily accessible and is just like Elafonisi considered a pink beach. Mind you, after seeing the pink beach in Komodo I have realized that a lot of pink is done in photoshop as is the case here, however, you can definitely find small patches with rose-tinted crushed coral.
While you are there make sure to stop at Liokalyvo, a lovely beach restaurant perfect for a beer, a cocktail, or a light lunch. They also have sun loungers on the beach but I thought them quite pricey so I chose to put my towel down in the sand. They do have some with just a minimum consumption now.
DIVING IN Chania
Crete is an island, Chania stretching over two coasts so of course, scuba diving is one of the activities in Chania! You have the choice to either head south to Chora Sfakion or stay in the north to explore Crete’s underwater world.
Both coasts offer some beautiful dive spots though the south is definitely a few degrees colder if such details matter to you (they do for me!) The drive to Chora Sfakion will take you about 1.5 hours and take you through the mountains – be mindful of that when driving back as the altitude might be too high after deep dives. In the north there are quite a few dive centers in Chania which will take to beautiful caves or wrecks – a must is a dive at the Elephant Cave.
Even if you are not a scuba diver, there are plenty of great water activities in Chania you can sign up for:
Visit a Cretan Winery
Did you know that wine is huge in Crete? The island has quite a few of its own varietals and over the years wine has become a booming business. Long gone are the days of too sweet Greek wine in huge carafes and wine from Crete can compete with the rest of the (wine) world and doesn’t just score while you are on holiday.
Wine is part of the daily Cretan diet so it should be part of your trip to Chania! Rain or shine, there are a couple of beautiful wineries around where you can discover a few new favorites during a tasting.
Karavitakis Winery
Karavitakis is a boutique winery in the Pontikiana Village where Nikos and his father have put their expertise and love for wine together to create some stunning bottles. The motto is “Diverse terroir, complex wines” and international varietals are given as much attention as local grapes from Crete. The results are memorable and a lot of fun to drink.
They have two beautiful tasting areas, perfect even when it gets in hot in summer, there is a small church on the property, and plenty of space to enjoy a glass or two.
Some of their amazing varietals include the local Vidiano, my favorite the Moschato Spinas, and an award-winning dessert wine – the Liastos Romeiko. Best of all: they have a bottle for each budget and occasion.
Manousakis Winery
Manousakis Winery is a wine farm in Chania is run by Alexandra Manousakis and her husband and offers the perfect mix of traditions, great wine, and Instagram-worthy locations – the staff even wears cool make wine not war t-shirts.
You can choose between different tasting flights depending on your taste and (drinking) stamina as well as sample some local delicacies. Try the Romeiko, a varietal native to the area around Chania, and the Nostos Roussanne which quickly became my favorite.
Their restaurant menu offers a few lovely Cretan classics like spinach and cheese pie, dakos which are barley rusks with grated tomato and mizithra goat cheese, and the best dolmades I have had in Greece.
Visit the oldest olive tree in Crete
While many lay the claim to fame, there can only be one tree with the title of the oldest olive tree in the world. The ancient Olive Tree of Vouves lives in Crete not far from the Karavitakis winery. It is said to be between 2,000 and 5,000 years old (scientists are having a hard time narrowing it down further) and is still producing olives today.
Branches of the tree were used for the victors’ wreaths in the Olympics before and so there is also a hedge in the shape of the Olympic Rings in front of the tree.
If you want to know more about olive trees and olive oil production check out the adjacent Olive Tree Museum of Vouves. Alternatively have a coffee and some seriously yummy olive oil cake at the cafe next to it.
Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
For more olive trees and plenty of other greenery, head to the Botanical Park & Gardens, one of my favorite places in Crete.
The garden has three different climate zones: Tropical, Mediterranean, and Alpine, and offers species from all three. Book yourself a private tour with owner Petros Marinakis, alternatively take a walk yourself. There is plenty to see and explore and I will guarantee that even botanists might learn a thing or two. Who knew that stevia was a plant and that there is a tree so toxic it will put you in a coma should you fall asleep under it?!
Make sure to were sensible shoes as paths through the Crete botanical garden are quite steep in some areas.
I recommend you come in the morning to have enough time to explore while it is not too hot yet. Make sure to stay for lunch – they have one of the best restaurants in Crete! And yes, you can buy not only olive oil but local honey, spices, and jams in their very own shop.
Old Chania Market
The Old Chania Market while not comparable to some of the other great market halls in Europe is a nice enough location to take some pictures and buy some souvenirs (maybe not a whole eel though!).
There are various fruit and veggie sellers, butchers and fishmongers, and a lot of stalls that sell souvenirs and knickknacks.
It is the perfect pitstop if you are on your way to Bougatsa Iordanis as they are in the same part of town.
Where to stay in Chania
There are plenty of great options for accommodation in Chania – from budget to luxury. Obviously one of the most charming places to stay in Chania old town and the Harbor area. However, keep in mind that this is pretty much a car-free area so you will need to find parking somewhere else. In the east of the old town you will find the East Moat Theatre Parking and in the west Talos Square public parking which are both free. Mind you, depending on what time you arrive you may need a bit of luck to get a spot.
Fagotto Art Residence
Fagotto is located in a beautiful old building close to Talos Square on the west side of the Harbor. Honestly, it is just a few steps to get to the water from here.
They have a few different rooms and studios depending on your budget and how many people you travel with. I like Adante, the ground floor studio, which keeps nice and cool even in summer but can admittedly get a bit dark. I also like Adagio, a suite with a private terrace and space for four people.
All rooms are eclectically designed, merging the old details of the building with modern amenities.
J&G Suites
The J&G Suites are my favorite boutique hotel in Chania and just so very lovely. The place is owned by siblings Julia and Greg, and Greg who is in charge of day-to-day business couldn’t be nicer and more helpful.
There are only five suites which are housed in yet another old Chania building and conveniently located to two of my favorite restaurants – Well of the Turk and To Maridaki. If you are staying at J&G you can get a breakfast voucher for Ginger Concept.
The suites are beautifully decorated with a nice mix of classic, clean, and modern – my favorite is the split-level suite that is incredibly spacious and airy.
AVRA City Hotel
If you are coming by car and prefer a garage check out the AVRA City Hotel. It is not located in the old town but nearby making it the perfect central city hotel in Chania if you are traveling by car.
The hotel itself is light and airy, and the rooms are very spacious especially for a Chania city hotel. Mine came with a small desk, a balcony, and plenty of space for my oversized suitcase. Another highlight and not a given in hotels in Crete: the wifi was fast and excellent.
The best part of the AVRA is its location (and their dog!) though. A short walk will take you to the old city and the old harbor but you are somewhat away from the tourist crowds. Next to the hotel, you will find kiosks, supermarkets, cafes, pharmacies, and the likes of H&M, Sephora, and Body Shop.
Koum Kapi Boutique Apartment
If you wanted to stay by the beach in Chania I can recommend the Koum Kapi Boutique Apartment. The flat is on the ground floor on a small road right by Koum Kapi beach which is actually quite lovely – in the morning you can just wrap yourself in your towel and go for a swim you are that close! The apartment itself is wheelchair accessible and really spacious making it the perfect place to stay in Chania if you needed something longer. You have a big kitchen, lounge area, bedroom and a bathroom with a washing machine!
There is on-street parking and you are within walking distance to all the major sights in Chania.
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