With Venetian harbours, winding alleys and golden beaches just beyond its old stone walls, Chania is the perfect place to lose yourself on Crete’s sun-drenched western shores. Here, pastel waterfront houses meet hidden courtyards, and mountain roads lead to sleepy villages where time drifts as slowly as the afternoon breeze.

Spending a week based in Chania’s Old Town, I slipped easily into a simpler Mediterranean rhythm, where days revolved around incredible food, lazy afternoon siestas, and sunsets that turned the harbour into golden and rose-pink hues night after night.

When the midday heat becomes too much, stalls and little bars tucked along Chania’s Old Town streets are always ready to serve up a refreshing fruit juice. There’s no need to ask if it’s fresh; that’s a given here. Wander on foot and let yourself get pleasantly lost in the maze of narrow alleys, or venture further afield with easy day trips by bus or car to hidden beaches and mountain villages beyond the cobbled Old Town streets.

Here’s my personal experience of spending a week in Chania’s Old Town, with a few recommendations of things to do and some things you might want to think twice about for your own trip.

The Venetian Harbour

Dating back to the 14th century, Chania’s Venetian Harbour is the perfect picturesque gem. Restaurants here offer front-row sunset views of the harbour and its iconic lighthouse. On days when you feel like wandering through the winding streets of the Old Town, you’ll inevitably find yourself back at the water’s edge … the ideal spot to cool off with a cold drink under the blazing sun.

Some key spots to check out:

The lighthouse of Chania: You can walk to the lighthouse and take some photos up close. It’s a bit of a walk, though, so be prepared with plenty of water and snacks.
Boats in the Old Harbour: Take a boat trip around the harbour or to one of many attractions such as Balos Beach.
Küçük Hasan Mosque: Turned into an art gallery, we had a fun peek around at the artwork while wandering the harbour.

Lighthouse Chania Old Town — Lighthouse in Chania Old Town

Sunsets at the Venetian Harbour

There’s something magical about a sunset you can experience while dining at one of the amazing restaurants on the harbour. In July, the sun didn’t dip below the horizon until around 9pm, giving us plenty of time to rest after a day of exploring or enjoy a leisurely afternoon siesta. And those sunsets were simply divine. Soft pink and purple hues kissed the shoreline, turning the lighthouse into a graceful silhouette against the fading light.

As the sleepy town slowly came back to life after a long siesta, shops opened their doors to welcome evening shoppers searching for local souvenirs. The atmosphere was warm and inviting … I felt completely relaxed in these moments.

sunset over lighthouse Chania Old Town — The sunset walking over the lighthouse must have been on another level

Peruse local Greek clothing shops and brands

I love how local stores support Greek made products. The quality here is amazing! While some of it can be on the pricier side, it’s still worth having a ponder to get a feel of the amazing craftsmanship here and pick up something unique to take home.

A few local store recommendations:

Nossa: I stumbled into this shop within the first 30 minutes of leaving our apartment and walked out with a beautiful dress.
JustBrazil: A bit pricier, but the linen clothing here is divine … well worth a browse if you love high-quality pieces.
Acaste: I wandered in on my last day and left with a gorgeous linen two-piece. I think I met the owner … she was so poised and elegant, and I really appreciated that they didn’t push for a sale.
Thelma and Louise: This one was recommended by the host at a local restaurant. I spotted a linen dress I loved and had to try it on. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to have it tailored.
Blu4U: A local swimwear brand. I picked up one of their swimsuits in Rethymno. They’re well-made and stylish, but it looks like they only ship within Greece.
SimplyCity: I noticed some of the pieces I loved in my Chania apartment and even a pouffe I admired in a shop were from this store. It’s worth checking out if you love simple, beautiful decor. Although it’s a bit out of town.

Nea Chora beach

After my first failed attempt at hiking Samaria Gorge, a relaxing beach day felt well deserved. We didn’t fancy spending another two hours on a bus, so we decided to check out one of the local beaches nearby. Nea Chora Beach is just a short walk from Chania Old Town, with plenty of shade and calm waters perfect for swimming.

Sunbeds cost around €10–15 for a pair, and the nearby restaurants serve really delicious food … perfect for a laid-back day by the sea.

It is touristy as there are a lot of amenities nearby, but not as touristy as the next beach I went to.

Nea Chora Beach - the water’s lovely and warm

My favourite restaurants to dine

The part I was most looking forward to on my trip was the food and it did not disappoint!

You might think the restaurants by the harbour would be tourist traps, but we didn’t have a single bad meal during our stay in Chania. From upscale harbour-side spots to a humble €4 kebab shop I grabbed after hiking the Samaria Gorge, the service was always warm and the food unforgettable.

Here are a few of my favourite local places:

Pallas: With two buildings and its own bakery, this was the perfect spot for a sunset dinner to unwind after a long day. The service was quick and friendly despite how busy it was. We loved it so much we even came back for breakfast on another day.
Amphora Taverna: Always busy in the evenings, for good reason. The food was so delicious that we returned for lunch another day too. The chargrilled chicken souvlaki was incredible, and I loved the live music and warm atmosphere.
Lime Chania: This spot had only been open for two weeks when we visited. I had an amazing breakfast smoothie and some mini croissants, which were perfect to start the day.
Plateia: Another harbour restaurant that didn’t disappoint. The food was fresh and tasty, and they even deboned my seabass for me, which was a nice touch.
Grain Café Chania: A great little stop for breakfast or coffee on your way to the bus station.

Chicken souvlaki from Amphora Taverna Chania Old Town — Chicken souvlaki from Amphora Taverna

Day trips from Chania Old Town

Elafonissi Beach

This was the day we rented a car and set off on a road trip to the other side of the island. The roads were generally in good condition, and the route was easy to follow. As we wound our way through the twisting mountain roads, the scenery just kept getting better and better.

We parked around a 15-minute walk away from the beach and walked down to Elafonissi beach. The sea was a gorgeous, clear turquoise blue and swimming in it was a lot of fun.

Here’s a picture of Elafonissi beach. I could almost convince you there was no one there 😉

Here’s the reality of Elafonissi Beach…

crowded Elafonissi Beach — Crowded Elafonissi Beach

Yep! IT’S PACKED!

For context, I went in early July. If you’re looking for a less crowded beach, either go realllly early or head to another beach.

Overall, I found Elafonissi overcrowded and not at all pink. It’s probably a better idea to come here during the shoulder months. Also, given the lack of space, we bumped into a really rude couple who were annoyed that we had perched our towels on the other side of a tree from them. I mean… if you’re looking for privacy, a popular public beach is not the place to be!

My apartment host recommended her favourite beach, called Kedrodasos Beach. It’s a lot less touristy but does have fewer amenities nearby, so be sure to bring snacks.

Unfortunately, we didn’t go as we were tired from Elafonissi; however, it’ll be on my list for next time!

Day trip to Rethimno

Rethimno or Rethymno is a wonderful day trip from Chania and only an hour-long bus ride away. Roughly halfway to Heraklion, this picturesque Venetian Old Town is high on my list of top places to visit from Chania.

With narrow alleys lined with cafes, shops and restaurants, a few hours isn’t merely enough to get yourself lost in this charming maze of cobblestone streets.

Some local hotspots to look out for:

Fortezza of Rethimno: Located near the centre of the Old Town, it was built by the Venetians in the 16th century and was designed to protect the town from invasions.
Rethimno Beach: The beach can have some pebbles and stones, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for that.
Rethymno Lighthouse: Easily accessible, it’s a great place to visit while pondering the Old Town.

I loved my day trip to Rethimno and thought it was even more beautiful than Chania. It seemed less touristy, but maybe that’s because we were there during the day. I loved the narrow streets you could explore that were very often shaded in the heat of the afternoon.

How to get to Rethimno from Chania

From the main bus station in Chania, there are buses every hour to and from Heraklion. On the way back, I spotted Episkopi Beach and it looked like a quiet stretch of sand with good facilities and hardly any crowds. If you’re thinking of stopping there by bus, keep in mind that this route can get really busy, and our driver actually had to turn people away because the bus was full. If you want to spend time at Episkopi Beach, having a car makes it much easier and gives you more freedom to explore at your own pace.

Hiking Samaria Gorge

Hiking Samaria Gorge was easily the highlight of my trip. If you’re in Chania, I can’t recommend it enough as a day trip. The trail winds through breathtaking mountain scenery and takes you down into the heart of the gorge … about 16 km of rugged paths, towering cliffs, and unforgettable views.

If you’re looking for more detailed information, you can view my blog post here.

Visiting an olive farm

This was high on my list of things to do in Crete; however, unfortunately, I didn’t make it on this occasion. I was recommended a visit to Biolea Estate, which is around a 40-minute drive from Chania.

Luckily, I managed to pick up some of their olive oil before leaving at the Le Miel store in the Old Town.

Le Miel store in Chania Old Town — A great place to buy some souvenirs

A day trip to Balos Beach

We thought long and hard about whether to visit Balos Beach and eventually decided against it. Most rental companies don’t allow you to drive their cars down the rough road to Balos … and if you do, you’ll likely face a fine. To get there, you’d need to rent a 4x4 or a scooter, like some other travellers I met who rented a scooter to go down before hiking to the beach.

The hike itself is beautiful, with incredible views from the top looking down over the lagoon. Alternatively, you can take a boat from Kissamos or Chania, but you’ll miss out on those stunning views unless you hike up from the shore.

Renting a car in Chania

You’re probably wondering if you can visit Chania, Crete, without a car, and the answer is yes, you absolutely can! While bus timetables can be a bit rigid, especially outside peak season, during the summer, there are plenty of buses running to all the popular spots.

That said, driving really is the best way to explore Crete, but it’s not for everyone! My friend gets quite nervous on winding mountain roads, so it ended up being a bit too much. We rented a car for one day, enjoyed the freedom it gave us, and then left it at that.

We rented our car from Go Cars Rental, who I’d recommend, and found that having an automatic made driving the narrow roads so much easier.

Chania Old Town Sunset — More sunsets in Chania Old Town

Where to stay in Chania Old Town

I did consider staying in the city close to the bus station, but I’m so glad we stayed in the Old Town! It’s vibrant and lively, and within walking distance to most places. Be sure to take some good earplugs, as Friday nights can get noisy.

Here are some great places worth checking out:

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.

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.

Porto Vecchio: If you’d prefer to stay closer to the beach, Porto Vecchio is a comfortable and spotlessly clean option. Modern and stylish, it even offers a studio with a spa bath.

San Salvatore Monastery: An old restored monastery with historical charm, quiet rooms, and the views overlooking the Old Town are beautiful. Rooms include air conditioning and sea views.

Elysia Boutique Hotel: Comfortable rooms and tastefully decorated, it’s just a short walk from the harbour and the beach.

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Spending a Week in Chania Old Town

The Venetian Harbour

Sunsets at the Venetian Harbour

Peruse local Greek clothing shops and brands

Nea Chora beach

My favourite restaurants to dine