I’m sure you’ve heard Chania mentioned as one of the top destinations in Greece, but you may not know exactly why. As someone who lives in Chania, I’d like to share the reasons I think it’s worth travelling here, along with some of the places and experiences you shouldn’t miss.
1. Chania Old Town & Old Venetian Port
Chania Old Town is one of the most beautiful historic towns in the Mediterranean. It is a maze of cobbled streets, stone buildings, squares and churches, stretching down to the Old Venetian Port.
The Old Venetian Port itself is one of the most recognizable places in Chania, especially its lighthouse, which you’ve probably already seen in travel magazines, photographs and videos of Crete.
The lighthouse, the Neoria Venetian Arsenals, Firka Fortress, Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque, Syntrivani Square, Splantzia Square and Kastelli Hill are some of the places worth exploring while you are here.
2. Beaches
One of the main reasons Chania attracts so many visitors is its beaches, and their character changes depending on which part of the region you visit.
Along the north coast, you will mostly find sandy beaches with shallow water that tends to be warmer than on the south coast. They can often get quite wavy because of the strong northerly winds coming from the Aegean Sea.
In the western part of the Chania region, there are beaches and lagoons with white sand and turquoise water, while the south coast has a mix of sandy and pebbly beaches with crystal-clear water.
Some of the most popular beaches worth visiting are Balos, Falassarna, Elafonissi, Kedrodasos, Ilingas and Frangokastello.
Note: The easiest way to visit Balos is by boat from Kissamos Port. There are organized trips, like this one, that also include transportation to and from your hotel. You can find more information and book your place here.
👉 Discover the best beaches in Chania that you shouldn’t miss on your first visit.
3. Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge is one of the most special places you can visit in Chania. The full hiking route is around 16 kilometres long and usually takes between 5 and 7 hours to complete.
The route takes you through forests and rocky scenery, past streams and small bridges along the way.
The entrance is at Xyloskalo, on the Omalos Plateau, while the route ends at the village of Agia Roumeli. Agia Roumeli has no road connection, so hikers usually leave the village by boat after completing the hike.
The hike is quite demanding and is not suitable for everyone. One of the easiest ways to organize the experience is to join a guided day trip. These tours usually include transportation to and from the area, while a guide accompanies the group and makes sure everyone completes the hike in time for the return journey. You can see more details here and book your place.
Note: Samaria Gorge is usually open from early May until the end of October, depending on weather conditions.
4. The White Mountains
Chania is not only about beautiful beaches. The Chania region is also home to most of the White Mountains, or Lefka Ori.
The mountain range has 58 peaks rising above 2,000 metres, with Pachnes being the highest at 2,453 metres. There are also plateaus such as Omalos and Askifou, as well as many gorges, the best known being Samaria Gorge.
This makes Chania a great destination for hikers and mountaineers who want to combine a holiday in Crete with time in the mountains.
5. The E4 European Long Distance Path
Apart from the peaks of the White Mountains, hikers should also know about the E4 European Long Distance Path, which crosses the whole of Crete.
In Chania region, sections of the trail follow the southern side of the island, often close to the sea. Depending on the section, you may walk through green countryside or right beside the beaches.
If you are planning to hike part of the E4, it is better to avoid the hottest months of the year, when temperatures can make the route much more demanding.
6. Archaeological Sites & Museums
The beaches may be what first catches your attention in Chania, but there are also several places connected to the history of the area that are worth visiting.
Some of the most interesting are:
- The Archaeological Museum of Chania, housed in a modern building and home to collections ranging from prehistoric and Minoan Crete to the Roman period and the 4th century AD.
- The Maritime Museum of Crete, located at Firka Fortress, where you can learn more about Crete’s long maritime history.
- The remains of Ancient Kydonia in Chania Old Town, which give you an idea of just how far back the history of the city goes.
- The Archaeological Site of Aptera, the remains of one of ancient Crete’s most important city-states. One of the most impressive parts of the site is its ancient theatre.
- Ancient Lissos, close to Sougia on the south coast of Crete, is another archaeological site that I find particularly special and peaceful.
7. Villages & Small Towns
Beyond Chania city and its neighbourhoods, there are many villages around the region that are worth exploring. They vary a lot from one another, from mountain villages to small coastal settlements with no road access.
A few of the most popular are:
- Chora Sfakion and Anopoli, two of the main villages in the Sfakia area.
- Loutro, a small seaside village that can only be reached by boat or on foot.
- Paleochora, one of the most picturesque towns on the south coast, with plenty of beaches nearby.
- Sougia, a popular place for either an overnight stay or a day trip, which you can also combine with a visit to Ancient Lissos.
- Vamos, one of the best-known villages in the Apokoronas area.
- Theriso, a historic village next to Theriso Gorge. The drive itself is part of the experience, as the road passes directly through the gorge before reaching the village.
8. Lake Kournas
You may not associate Crete with lakes, but the Chania region is home to Lake Kournas. Lake Kournas is Crete’s only natural freshwater lake and is a popular place to visit, especially for a relaxed half-day trip.
You can rent a pedal boat and explore the lake from the water, while there are also plenty of tavernas around the area if you want to combine your visit with lunch.
9. Local Food
Chania, and Crete in general, is well known for its traditional food. Many of the recipes have been passed down from one generation to the next and are still part of Cretan cooking today.
A few dishes you should try are:
- Tsigariasto: lamb or goat slowly cooked in a pot.
- Staka: a rich dairy product that is often served with fried eggs and potatoes.
- Kalitsounia: small pies filled with cheese or wild greens.
- Boureki: a traditional Chania pie made with pastry, zucchini, potatoes, mizithra cheese and mint.
- Sfakiani pita: a thin flat pie filled with mizithra cheese, traditionally served with honey.
10. Local Drinks
Chania and Crete also have a long tradition of producing local drinks. You’ll find everything from small producers to larger wineries, distilleries and breweries.
The most famous is raki, also known as tsikoudia. It is served when welcoming guests, saying goodbye, celebrating or simply sitting around a table with friends. In other words, in Crete there is almost always a reason to have a small glass of it.
With so many vineyards across the island, wine is naturally another part of local life. You will find many different wines from Cretan producers, including wines made from the local Romeiko grape variety.
In recent years, several Cretan craft breweries have also appeared, producing fresh craft beers. Charma is probably the best known in Chania, but Lafkas Brewery and Lyra Beer are also worth trying.
