Chania · Crete, Greece
Chania Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Chania tours and things to do on Crete’s beautiful west: sail to the turquoise lagoon of Balos and pirate island of Gramvousa, soak up the pink sands of Elafonisi, hike the dramatic Samaria Gorge, taste Cretan wine and olive oil on a food tour, and wander the romantic Venetian harbour of Chania old town. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect Crete trip.
441 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Chania
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Chania
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
Browse
Explore Chania by interest
Whatever brings you to Chania — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Chania
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Balos Lagoon
Turquoise shallows.
110+ toursView tours
Elafonisi
Pink sands.
80 toursView tours
Samaria Gorge
White Mountains.
60 toursView tours
Venetian Harbour
Chania old town.
50 toursView tours
Seitan Limania
Dramatic cove.
60 toursView tours
White Mountains
Jeep country.
60 toursView tours
Boat Trips
Hidden coves.
60 toursView tours
Knossos
Minoan palace.
40 toursView tours
3 days
Chania in 3 days
- 1Day 1: old town
- 2Day 2: Balos cruise
- 3Day 3: Samaria Gorge
- 4Elafonisi
~1 hr + boat awayBalos & Gramvousa
Lagoon cruise.
from €30View trips
~2 hr awayElafonisi
Pink beach.
from €25View trips
Full day awaySamaria Gorge
Epic hike.
from €40View trips
~40 min awaySeitan Limania
Dramatic cove.
from €30View trips
Full day awayKnossos & Heraklion
Minoan palace.
from €60View trips
~1 hr awayWhite Mountains
Villages & gorges.
from €50View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Chania visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
The best time, with warm weather, wildflowers and quieter beaches.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Hot and busy — peak beach season, with the Samaria Gorge open.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm seas and thinner crowds make early autumn a wonderful time.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Mild but quieter, with many tours paused; good for the old town.
Best for beaches
June to September offers the warmest seas for Balos and Elafonisi.
Shoulder seasons
May, June and September balance great weather with fewer crowds.
One day
The old town and a beach.
Three days
Add Balos and the Samaria Gorge.
One week
Add Elafonisi, jeep safaris and Knossos.
Beach lovers
Balos, Elafonisi and boat coves.
For hikers
The Samaria Gorge and mountains.
With kids
Elafonisi lagoon and boat trips.
On foot
The old town and harbour are compact and best explored on foot.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours with pickup are easiest for Balos, Elafonisi and the Samaria Gorge.
Rental car
A car helps for reaching beaches, villages and the mountains at your own pace.
By boat
Boats reach Balos, Gramvousa and hidden coves along the coast.
Getting there
Chania Airport connects the city with Athens and Europe, with ferries to Piraeus.
Base in the old town
Staying near the Venetian harbour puts you in the heart of Chania.
Euros
Chania uses the euro; cards are widely accepted, though carry cash for villages.
Book ahead
Balos cruises, Elafonisi trips and the Samaria Gorge fill up in summer — reserve early.
Sun protection
The Cretan sun is strong — bring sunscreen, a hat and water, especially for the gorge.
Good shoes
Sturdy shoes are essential for the rocky Samaria Gorge hike.
Beat the crowds
Start early for Balos and Elafonisi to enjoy them before the day-trippers.
Try the food
Savour the famed Cretan diet — olive oil, cheese, honey and village dishes.
Balos cruises
Popular Balos and Gramvousa cruises sell out — book ahead.
Elafonisi trips
Day trips to Elafonisi fill up — reserve early.
Samaria Gorge
Guided gorge hikes book out in summer — reserve ahead.
Food & cooking
Small-group food tours and classes fill up — book early.
Jeep safaris
Off-road tours sell out — reserve ahead.
Summer dates
July and August are busiest — reserve everything ahead.
Balos cruise
Around €30–55 for a Balos and Gramvousa boat cruise.
Elafonisi trip
About €25–40 for a day trip to Elafonisi.
Samaria Gorge
Roughly €40–60 for a guided Samaria Gorge day tour.
Food tour
Around €40–70 for a Chania food tour or cooking class.
Jeep safari
About €60–100 for a jeep or quad safari.
How to save
Join group tours, travel in shoulder season, and book combos.
When to visit
Chania through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Apr–Jun
- Best for
- Beaches & hikes.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Book ahead.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Jul–Aug
- Best for
- Peak beaches.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot, busy.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Warm seas.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great time.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Nov–Mar
- Best for
- Quiet old town.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Tours pause.
People also ask
Chania travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Chania?
The highest-rated experiences are a Balos and Gramvousa cruise, an Elafonisi beach trip, the Samaria Gorge hike, a Cretan food and wine tour, and the Venetian old town.
What should I book in advance in Chania?
Reserve Balos cruises, Elafonisi trips, the Samaria Gorge hike and food tours ahead, especially in the July–August peak.
How many days do I need in Chania?
One day covers the old town and a beach, three add Balos and the Samaria Gorge, and a week lets you reach Elafonisi, jeep safaris and Knossos.
Is Chania worth visiting?
Yes — Chania pairs a romantic Venetian old town and harbour with Crete’s most beautiful beaches at Balos and Elafonisi, the Samaria Gorge and superb food.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
May, June and September are ideal, with warm weather and seas but fewer crowds than the July–August peak.
What day trips can you take from Chania?
Top trips include Balos and Gramvousa, Elafonisi, the Samaria Gorge, and the White Mountain villages.
Is Chania good for families?
Yes — the shallow Elafonisi lagoon, Balos boat cruise and charming old town make Chania a great family destination.
441 Chania experiencesfrom €20 · free cancellation
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