Is Chania Worth Visiting? What to Know Before You Go

When looking for a Greek island escape, I wanted somewhere with beautiful beaches, a fun hike and good public transport links so I could explore different parts of the island without hiring a car.

I spent seven nights in Chania, using it as a base for western Crete and hiking the Samaria Gorge. I quickly fell in love with its energetic vibe, friendly hospitality, gorgeous waterfront and incredibly good food. It's the kind of place where you can spend your days exploring and then kick back and unwind in the evenings.

Chania is touristy, and relying on public transport does come with limitations. However, I never felt this stopped us from making the most of our time in Crete. In this guide, I’ll take you through whether Chania is worth visiting and help you decide whether it’s the right base or stopover for your travels in Crete.

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Where to Stay in Chania: Top Picks

For Old Town charm	Consolato Boutique
For cosy apartments	Rooftop House in the heart of Chania Old Town!
For sea views	Chania Mocenigo Luxury Rooms with Sea Views

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Where Is Chania?

Chania is on Greece's largest island, Crete. It's one of the island's main towns and a popular base for exploring western Crete. Well connected, with an international airport offering flights to destinations across Europe and beyond, there's also a ferry port with regular connections to mainland Greece, making it easy to reach by sea.

The town sits on the Cretan Sea coast, so you're never far from the water. It's a lovely spot for a summer swim, with several beaches close to the old town.

Is Chania Worth Visiting?

Spoiler alert…. YES!!

After spending a week in Chania, I never felt short on things to do. With its beautiful Venetian Harbour, winding cobbled streets and golden beaches just beyond the Old Town, it's the perfect place to explore Crete's sun-drenched western coast.

Our days revolved around incredible food, lazy afternoons escaping the heat and evenings watching the sunset turn the harbour into beautiful shades of gold and pink. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours wandering around, stopping for a drink or finding a cosy restaurant tucked away down a narrow street.

My advice is to put your map away and let yourself get lost in the maze of cobbled streets. I stumbled across all sorts of lovely boutique stores and traditional Greek tavernas along the way.

I loved how easy it was to spend the evening and wonder where the time had gone. Even the restaurants around the harbour, which you might expect to be tourist traps, served incredible food.

I visited at the beginning of July, and there's no doubt that Chania gets busy. But I never felt that the crowds took away from its charm. Greek hospitality always met us with friendly smiles wherever we went.

And if you’re looking to go beyond the old town, Chania is a great base for day trips. You can hop on a bus to nearby places like Rethymno, join an organised excursion to the famous Balos Beach or hire a car to discover some of the island's more secluded beaches.

So, is Chania worth visiting? Without a doubt, yes! It's a gorgeous mix of old town charm, great food and laid-back evenings. I'd happily return.

Sunsets in Chania

Is Chania Safe?

During my time in Chania, I personally never felt unsafe. I found the locals incredibly friendly and welcoming, from the Greek lady at the grocery store where I bought bottled water each day to the taxi drivers who were always on time when picking us up and dropping us off at the airport.

There was a lovely sense of familiarity around town, and I got the impression that the local community was quite close-knit. Chania has a very relaxed vibe, and I generally felt comfortable walking around during the day or at night.

As with any destination, it's worth taking the usual precautions. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas; don't leave valuables unattended. If you're hiring a car, choose a reputable rental company and take extra care on the narrower streets where driving and parking can be tricky.

Restaurants by the harbour

Is Chania Expensive?

I'd say Chania can be as expensive or as affordable as you want it to be. We managed to explore western Crete without spending a fortune, mainly by using public transport for day trips and renting a car only when we needed to.

Here's a breakdown of some of the costs from our trip.

Accommodation

Accommodation will likely be your biggest expense, especially if you want to stay in the heart of the Old Town or somewhere with harbour views. Thankfully, Chania has plenty of options, ranging from upscale boutique hotels to more budget-friendly apartments in areas like Koum Kapi.

We rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Old Town, which was in a fantastic location. It had everything we needed, including a kitchen for preparing something quick when we didn't fancy eating out, and was within walking distance of supermarkets, restaurants and shops.

You can read my full guide on where to stay in Chania for more recommendations.

Shopping

Let's just say shopping in Chania wasn't very kind to my bank balance! I discovered some gorgeous clothing boutiques while wandering around the Old Town, and it was very difficult to leave empty-handed.

On my first day, I popped into a boutique called Nossa and came out with a beautiful dress. So consider yourself warned if you enjoy browsing!

ATM Fees

ATMs often charge a withdrawal fee, with the cheapest I found being €1.80. If you're travelling from another Eurozone country, it might be worth bringing some cash with you to avoid unnecessary fees. Check your own bank's charges too, as these can vary.

Renting a Car

We hired an automatic car for a day trip to Elafonisi Beach, which cost €75 plus €9 for insurance. We had no issues with the rental or returning the vehicle, and used Go Cars Rental near Chania's bus station.

Hiring a car was a lot of fun, but the winding roads aren’t for everyone. It's also worth comparing prices and checking what's included in the insurance before booking.

Search for car rentals in Crete

 

Public Transport

I found public transport very affordable, especially for longer day trips. A return bus ticket from Chania to Rethymno cost us €14.40 per person, which worked out much cheaper than hiring a car for the day.

If you're happy to plan around bus timetables, it's a great way to explore the island without having to worry about driving or parking.

Airport Transfers

We pre-arranged a taxi from Chania Airport to our accommodation and paid €30 for the journey. The airport is around 30 minutes from town, so taking the bus is another option if you'd prefer to save some money. It's worth checking the latest timetable before you travel.

Day Trips and Organised Excursions

This is where costs can start to add up if you want to visit some of Crete's more famous attractions. Popular excursions from Chania include trips to Balos Beach and Elafonisi, but organised tours can take up a reasonable chunk of your budget.

We decided to be more selective with our spending, choosing to enjoy some nicer meals and shorter day trips, rather than booking tours every day.

Eating Out

I had a delicious kebab for €3 after hiking Samaria Gorge, from a small place around the corner from our accommodation.

On the other hand, I also spent around €25-€40 on some of our nicer meals around the harbour. There are plenty of options for different budgets, so you don't have to spend a fortune to enjoy local food.

Amphora Taverna... It was so good we went twice!

Visiting Chania: My Experience

I chose to spend seven nights in Chania because it seemed like a convenient base for exploring, even without a car. I could use public transport for day trips and hire a car whenever I needed one.

I decided to stay in Chania Old Town, and I'm so glad I did. For a first visit, I couldn't have picked a better location. The Venetian Harbour, boutique shops, restaurants and cafes were all within walking distance, and the main bus station was just a short walk away.

However, having a car does give you more freedom to explore. I would have loved to visit Biolea Estate, where you can tour a traditional olive farm, but getting there without a car wasn't convenient. I did manage to buy some of their olive oil in the Old Town, but visiting the estate is on my list for next time.

So, can you enjoy Chania without a car?

Absolutely! We managed to fit in plenty during our stay, but you'll need to plan around public transport. If you want to visit more secluded beaches and smaller towns, I'd recommend renting a car for at least part of your trip.

Hanging out in Rethymno

Day Trips from Chania Without a Car

One of the best things about using Chania as a base is the number of day trips you can take even without a car. I’ve created a table for you to summarise some of the amazing places you can go.

Destination	Difficulty	How to get there
Nea Chora Beach	Easy	It was around a 20 minute walk from the Old Town for us.
Agioi Apostoloi	Easy	Easy to reach by local bus.
Rethymno	Easy	Regular buses roughly every hour connecting Chania and Rethymno.
Samaria Gorge	Easy	Best done using public transport from Chania. You can buy all your bus and ferry tickets from the main bus station.
Balos Lagoon	Moderate	Best done with an organised tour from Chania or Kissamos.
Elafonisi Beach	Moderate	Limited bus services typically leaves Chania at 9 am and returns at 4 pm, or can be done with an organised tour from Chania.
Botanical Park and Gardens	Moderate	Limited bus services usually leaving Chania at 9:30 am and returning at 2:30 pm.
Falassarna Beach	Moderate	Bus services run between Chania and Falassarna Beach, but check the timetable carefully as some journeys only go as far as Kissamos.

* Buses depart from the main KTEL bus station in Chania. You can view the latest departure times and availability on the KTEL website. Keep in mind that some of the bus services may be seasonal. (Note: This is the correct link, but for some reason the website goes out of service from time to time.)

Wild and beautiful, Samaria Gorge

Day Trips from Chania with a Car

If you're hiring a car, you'll have the flexibility to go pretty much wherever you want to go. Here are a few gems worth keeping in mind for your itinerary.

Destination	Info
Kedrodasos Beach	Located around 10 minutes from Elafonisi by car, Kedrodasos is a less touristy alternative if you want to escape the crowds.
Biolea Estate	If you'd like to learn more about Crete's olive oil production, Biolea Estate is worth keeping in mind. This traditional olive farm offers tours where you can learn about the production process and sample its olive oil.
Imbros Gorge	If you're looking for a shorter alternative to Samaria Gorge, Imbros Gorge is another beautiful hike in Crete. Located south of Chania, it's known for its dramatic rock formations and narrower passages.

Note: If you plan on driving to Balos Beach, the road down to the lagoon is rough, and many car rental companies restrict driving on this route. Check your rental agreement carefully before setting off, as you could face additional charges if you ignore these restrictions.

Walking down to Elafonisi Beach

How Many Days Do You Need in Chania?

I'd recommend spending at least 2-3 days in Chania, but if you're planning to use it as a base for exploring western Crete, I'd stay a bit longer. Here's a rough guide to how much time to allow:

1-2 days: Explore the Old Town and Venetian Harbour, enjoy the restaurants and visit nearby beaches.

3-4 days: Enjoy Chania at a slower pace and add a couple of day trips to explore the island.

5-7 days: Ideal for using Chania as a base to explore western Crete, including its famous gorges and beaches.

Where to stay in Chania

Spacious Luxury Apt, Old Town

We stayed in a beautiful apartment tastefully furnished by our wonderful host. Located in the heart of the old town, it offered a calming retreat just a five-minute walk from the harbour and restaurants, and only ten minutes from the bus station. The apartment was spacious and comfortable, with air conditioning, a balcony, and a terrace to relax on.

check availability

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Erietta Suites

With balconies overlooking the Venetian Harbour and lighthouse, the views are incredible. If you’re looking to be close to restaurants and cafes while starting each morning with a cup of coffee and watching the waterfront come to life, it’s worth checking out.

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Consolato Boutique

Offering cosy suites in the Old Town, you’re within walking distance to the port and all the boutique shops. Stylish and spacious, there are several suites to choose from based on your needs.

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Rooftop House in the heart of Chania Old Town!

The sister apartment of the one I stayed in. If you’d prefer a one-bedroom, the same wonderful hosts offer an apartment right above ours, complete with a large terrace. They were amazing and always quick to help. I can’t recommend them highly enough.

 

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