Discover the highlights of western Crete on this well-paced Chania shore excursion, designed for cruise passengers visiting this port of call. Your shore excursion from the dock begins with convenient port pickup, followed by a visit to Agia Triada Monastery where you can explore the grounds and enter the church to admire its architecture and learn about Cretan religious traditions. Continue to Stavros Beach, set against a stunning mountain backdrop and made famous by the classic film Zorba the Greek, where you will enjoy free time to relax by the sea in a stunning setting. This 6 hour shore excursion continues with a guided walk through Chania Old Town and the Old Venetian Harbor, with time to explore at your own pace. The tour includes: * Guided shore excursion with port pickup and drop-off * Duration tailored to your time in port * Includes transportation and guided touring Enjoy this seamless and well-balanced shore excursion combining culture, scenery, and free time.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $835.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
As soon as you disembark at Souda Port, our friendly team will be waiting to welcome you right next to your cruise ship. You’ll be guided to a modern, comfortable, air-conditioned bus - your gateway to discovering the beauty and culture of western Crete. Sit back and relax as your journey begins, enjoying scenic views while your guide introduces you to the fascinating history and traditions of Crete.
Your first stop is the historic Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada), one of the most beautiful monasteries in Crete. Built in the 17th century, the monastery is known for its elegant architecture and peaceful courtyards. During your visit, you’ll have time to explore the grounds and enter the monastery church, admire the impressive façade, and learn about its role in preserving Cretan culture and traditions.
Next, enjoy a scenic drive across the Akrotiri Peninsula to the famous Stavros Beach, a beautiful bay known for its calm turquoise waters and dramatic mountain backdrop. This beach became internationally famous as a filming location for the classic movie Zorba the Greek. You’ll have time here to relax, swim in the crystal-clear waters, stroll along the sandy shore, or enjoy refreshments at a seaside taverna (at your own expense). With its peaceful setting and stunning scenery, Stavros offers the perfect chance to unwind and experience the natural beauty of Crete.
After your beach stop, continue to the charming historic center of Chania Old Town, one of the most picturesque towns in Greece. Here you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour through narrow alleyways shaped by Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek influences, while your guide shares stories about Chania’s fascinating past. During the walk, you’ll also see highlights such as the iconic Old Venetian Harbor of Chania, known for its colorful waterfront and lively atmosphere. After the guided portion, you’ll have some free time to explore at your own pace, browse local shops, or relax with a coffee or light meal by the harbor.
After your visit to Chania, relax on the return drive back to Souda Port. You’ll be comfortably transported back to your cruise ship with plenty of time before departure, taking with you wonderful memories of Crete’s history, culture, and breathtaking scenery.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
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For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Chania Highlights Shore Excursion with Port Pickup and Beach Time lasts about 6 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
Prices start at $56 per person for this Chania experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $835. There are 4 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 12 departures a day between 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 30 participants.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Please note that this tour involves walking, including on uneven surfaces, and is not suitable for individuals with mobility limitations. Wheelchairs, walkers, scooters, or similar mobility aids cannot be accommodated. We kindly ask you to assess your ability to participate before booking, as refunds cannot be issued if, on the day of the tour, you are unable to join due to mobility-related concerns.
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 10 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Vexperio.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
The tour was excellent the tour guide was very knowledgeable and organized. The beach was small and beautiful you can rent 2 chairs for 20 euros they also give you 2 bottles of water. They will deliver food to you from the restaurant across the street. We had 2 hours of free time in Chania which is an absolutely beautiful town. I highly recommend this tour!
It was an unforgettable experience. There was so much of history that came to mind. The town was very beautiful. The private tour through Viator was very well done
Dear Sule, Thank you so much for your kind words! ❤️ We’re truly happy to hear that the tour brought the history and beauty of the town to life for you. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to welcome you again someday! 😊 Warm regards, Magdalena Vexperio
The tour is a great way to see the highlights of you have limited time on a cruise. Time at the beach is nice and have plenty of time in the right places.
Dear Gerardo, Thank you for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour, the highlights, and the beach time. 😊 It certainly sounds like a 5-star experience to us, so we were curious about the 4-star rating! If there’s anything we could have done better to make it 5 stars, please feel very welcome to reach out and let us know. We’d love to hear your feedback! Warm regards, Magdalena Vexperio
Nice tour and very knowledgeable guide. The Monestary was beautiful. Stavros Beach was great and the city walk was interesting.
Dear Kathie, Thank you for kind feedback! We are super happy to know you had a lovely day in Chania with us and we hope to have a chance to meet you again in the future :) We operate in many stunning destinations, so whenever you’re back in Europe, feel welcome to reach out! ☺️ Warm regards, Magdalena Vexperio
Excellent tour! It was the perfect mix of everything. We visited a beautiful monastery, spent time at the beach, and had the opportunity to do some shopping as well. It was a wonderful way to experience the area and made for a perfect day. Our guide was fantastic, she had a great sense of humor. Highly recommend this tour! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nice mix of stops. Visited the monastery, Zorba Beach, and spent time in the old city. Good day! All around!
The tour was exactly as promised and our tour guide was great, had a wonderful sense of humor and very knowledgeable. The length of the tour was perfect. All around, totally recommend it!
Excellent walk! Experienced guide!comfortable bus! It was very fun and we still took a sea bath!
Very knowledgeable and pleasant guide
Fantastic excursion! I’m not personally a huge fan of long guided tours, but this one had a perfect balance between a guided experience, led by a really great guide (Athena), and free time at Stavros Beach. I had visited the other famous beach in Chania, Elafonisi, years ago and was a bit disappointed - the sand wasn’t very pink and it was super crowded. Stavros Beach was much better! It’s also closer to the city center, so you don’t waste time on a long bus ride. Overall, it was a great experience, and I highly recommend this tour.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chania Highlights Shore Excursion with Port Pickup and Beach Time | 6 hours | 4.9 (10) | $56 | |
 Elafonissi Beach Trip from Chania | 12 hours | 4.4 (456) | $31 | View |
 Balos & Falassarna Beach - Jeep Tour with Loungers and Lunch | 7–8 hours | 4.9 (381) | $189 | View |
 From Chania:Elafonissi Beach Day Trip, Elos, Honey & Wine Tasting | 8–10 hours | 4.3 (198) | $31 | View |
 From Chania private trip to Spili-Kourtaliotiko-Kalypso beach | 8–9 hours | 5.0 (104) | $573 | View |
 12:00 Beer & Food Tour Chania Old Town - Crete - shore excursion | 3 hours | 5.0 (35) | $92 | View |
 Private Tour Elafonisi Beach with Honey Olive Oil & Wine Tastings | 7–8 hours | 4.7 (25) | $779 | View |