One of the biggest dilemmas for anyone planning their first trip to Crete is usually whether to stay in Chania or Heraklion. Crete is the largest island in Greece and, for travellers, is generally divided into four main regions: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi, with Chania and Heraklion being two of the most popular choices.
Throughout this guide, I’ll be comparing not only the two cities, but also the wider Chania and Heraklion regions, as this is what really matters when choosing where to base yourself in Crete.
I may live in Chania, but I’ll try to be as objective as possible so we can see which of the two areas suits each type of traveller better, and why. Let’s start from the beginning!
How far is Chania from Heraklion?
The two cities are not extremely far from each other. They are around 140 kilometres apart, and the drive usually takes about 2.5 hours.
So, it is certainly possible to stay in one and visit the other during your trip.
Which is easier to get to: Chania or Heraklion?
Heraklion is the capital and largest city in Crete, so it has very good connections with the rest of Greece, both by air and by ferry.
Heraklion International Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” (HER) has several daily flights to Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as connections with Greek islands such as Rhodes, Corfu, Mykonos, Naxos and Santorini. This makes it fairly easy to combine Crete with another Greek destination during the same holiday. Heraklion Airport also has direct connections with more than 30 European cities, mainly during the summer months.
The same applies to ferry connections. Heraklion Port has daily ferries to Piraeus and frequent services throughout the week to islands in the Cyclades, such as Naxos and Santorini, as well as to islands in the Dodecanese, including Rhodes and Karpathos.
Chania is smaller than Heraklion and is served by Chania International Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” (CHQ). There are daily flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, but no direct domestic flights from other Greek islands. However, Chania has direct flights from more than 20 European countries, mainly during the summer season.
Chania’s main port is in Souda and has daily ferry connections with Piraeus and the island of Milos. It does not connect directly with other islands. There is also the port of Kissamos (Kasteli), on the western side of Chania, with services on certain days of the week to Kythera and Gythio in the Peloponnese.
So, when it comes to getting there, Heraklion has the advantage. You simply have more options for reaching Heraklion than Chania.
Which is more beautiful: Chania or Heraklion?
Heraklion has a much more modern urban character than Chania. A major earthquake in 1856 destroyed a large part of the city, and much of it was later rebuilt. As a result, fewer historic buildings survive in the centre today, although you can still see important landmarks such as the Koules Fortress, the Morosini Fountain and the Venetian Walls.
Chania, on the other hand, has its Old Town and Venetian Harbour, both of which have been very well preserved. This is essentially the heart of Chania and also its most touristy area, but it is still a lived-in part of the city with plenty of accommodation.
It is a very charming area, with narrow cobbled streets and old stone buildings. Around the Venetian Harbour, you can still see the Venetian shipyards, the Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque and, most famously, the lighthouse, which has become one of the symbols of Chania.
Of course, Chania also has a modern side, with apartment buildings, busy roads and traffic. If you stay in Chania Town, though, you will probably spend much of your time in and around the Old Town anyway.
I’ll take a clear position on this one: Chania is more beautiful than Heraklion!
Which has better beaches?
Crete in general has an incredible coastline, and the scenery changes quite a lot depending on which part of the island you visit. However, Chania is home to some of the most famous beaches in Greece.
You have probably already seen photos of Balos and Elafonissi, with their turquoise shallow waters and white or pink sand. But there is much more than that.
Chania also has Falassarna, a long sandy beach with turquoise water, Kedrodasos, which lies beside an area of juniper trees, Stavros with its calm water and semicircular bay that almost looks like a natural swimming pool, and Ilingas, a small beach with crystal-clear water in Sfakia. And these are only a few examples.
In Heraklion, Matala is probably the most recognisable beach, thanks to the famous caves carved into the cliff at one end. Nearby, Kommos is another excellent option, with a long sandy beach, while one of the most impressive choices is Agiofarago, which can be reached either on foot or by boat.
The bays of Agia Pelagia, Psaromoura and Lygaria are also popular and very beautiful choices. Heraklion certainly has some beautiful beaches, but for me, Balos and Elafonissi are difficult to beat.
So when it comes to beaches, I would give Chania the edge.
Which is better for history and archaeology?
Crete has an exceptionally long history, but the Minoan civilisation is probably the part of its ancient past that attracts the most visitors today.
The Minoan civilisation, often described as the first advanced civilisation in Europe, flourished in Crete from around 3000 BC to 1450 BC. Its major palace complexes included Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Zakros.
Knossos, Phaistos and Malia are all located in the Heraklion regional unit, while Zakros is in Lasithi. These are some of the most important and popular archaeological sites on the island.
Chania also has the remains of ancient cities and settlements, including Kydonia, Aptera and Lissos. Personally, though, I don’t think they can compete with the Minoan palace sites in terms of historical importance.
So, if you are particularly interested in history and archaeology, Heraklion will probably impress you more.
Which is better for hiking?
Crete is not only about beaches. The island also has impressive mountain ranges, high peaks and numerous gorges.
Between Heraklion and Rethymno lies Psiloritis, the highest mountain in Crete, with its highest point, Timios Stavros, reaching 2,456 metres.
Between Chania and Rethymno, with the larger part of the range in Chania, are the Lefka Ori (White Mountains). This mountain range has around 50 peaks above 2,000 metres, with Pachnes being the highest at 2,453 metres.
The White Mountains are also home to some of the best-known gorges in Crete, including Samaria Gorge, Imbros Gorge, Agia Irini Gorge and Aradena Gorge.
Both regions have excellent hiking opportunities, but if hiking and gorges are a major part of your trip, I would choose Chania.
Which has better nightlife?
Malia, in the Heraklion region, is internationally known for its nightlife and attracts large numbers of young visitors from around the world.
Its main coastal strip is packed with clubs, music, lights, themed parties and thousands of young travellers during the summer season.
Hersonissos is another popular nightlife destination in Heraklion, although the atmosphere is generally a little less intense. You will still find plenty of bars and clubs with music and a lively atmosphere.
Heraklion City itself also has a strong nightlife scene, with bars and nightclubs that attract both locals and visitors.
Things are generally quieter in Chania. There is no single area with a party scene on the scale of Malia, although that certainly does not mean there are no bars or clubs.
But if your priority is big nights out and a more intense party scene, Heraklion is the better choice.
Which is better for families with children?
Chania generally attracts plenty of families with children. The Old Town is compact and easy to explore on foot with older children, although the cobbled streets can be awkward if you are travelling with a pushchair.
Heraklion, on the other hand, is a much larger city, with busy roads and considerably more traffic.
Close to Chania Town, there are several sandy beaches with shallow water, as well as resorts that work well for families. The same is true in Heraklion, where you can also find easily accessible sandy beaches and plenty of organised hotels and resorts aimed at families.
Heraklion probably has the advantage when it comes to activities specifically aimed at families and children. There is the CRETAquarium, as well as several water parks, including Watercity Waterpark, Acqua Plus Water Park, Star Beach Water Park and Gouves Water Park.
Chania has one large water park, Aqua Creta Limnoupolis, as well as the smaller Chrispy Waterpark Chania, which is part of a resort.
Overall, though, I think both Chania and Heraklion are very good choices for families with children.
Chania or Heraklion: which should you choose?
In the end, the best choice depends on what you want from your trip. If beautiful surroundings, famous beaches, hiking and a more picturesque town are your priorities, I would choose Chania. If you are more interested in history and archaeology, nightlife, easier transport connections and a busier city atmosphere, Heraklion may suit you better.
Both regions have plenty to offer, so there really isn’t a wrong choice. Of course, the ideal scenario is to experience both Chania and Heraklion during the same trip. If you want to explore both regions without rushing, though, I would recommend having around 10 days or more in Crete.
If you have less time, I think it is better to choose one region and explore it properly rather than spending a large part of your holiday driving from one side of the island to the other.
You can also find my detailed guides on where to stay in both areas:
