Looking for the best day trips from Chania? Have I got the guide for you!
I was lucky enough to be able to spend ten days on Greece’s largest island this year. Chania is an incredible city worth visiting in its own right. But you would also be missing out on the rest that Crete has to offer if you did not explore outside of the city itself.
Crete’s landscape is filled with rugged mountainsides, lush beaches, and colorful neighboring towns. There are tons of things to do near Chania, and no matter your travel style, you have your pick!
Some of the best day trips from Chania include Elafonisi Beach, Balos Bay, Samaria Gorge, Imbros Gorge, and Rethymno.
I will also cover the best transportation methods to take your day trips in Chania in this guide. Ranging from public transportation buses to day tours and car rentals, I have got you covered.
This post was completed in collaboration with Sea By Bus Tours, where I received a complimentary tour. My experiences described from Elafonisi and Falasarna Beaches, and the Oldest Olive Tree in the World, are from this tour. As always, all opinions are my own.
Beaches
1. Elafonisi Beach
When visitors search for Crete, Elafonisi Beach is one of the first pictures to appear. It’s no wonder its pink sands have intrigued visitors around the world.
But it’s so much more than that. Located at the end of a rugged road surrounded by tranquil mountains, its crystal clear blue waters make Elafonisi the ultimate beach oasis.
The problem is, everyone else thinks so too. I recommend arriving as early as possible to avoid crowds.
There is no public transportation from Chania to Elafonisi Beach. The main problem with day tours is that most begin later in the morning, which means you arrive in the thick of the crowds. This means no more beach chairs to rent, and little sand space to lay out your towel.
My combination tour with Sea By Bus had us arrive by 9:00am and this felt like the perfect time to begin our 2-hour beach visit. If you want longer at the beach, I recommend renting a car and arriving even earlier.
I do not think Elafonisi is overhyped, and it is one of my favorite beaches I visited on the island! I really just recommend that you arrive as early as possible.
Best way to get there:
- 🚗Car Rental
- 🗺️Tour
2. Falasarna Beach
Falasarna Beach is known to be one of the more popular local beaches, featuring pink sand like Elafonisi.
My main gripe is just the wind! Our umbrella about hit me in the face 17 times and we were drenched in sand early in our trip.
If I went back, I would splurge on a beach chair. You’ll probably still get sandy, but not as much, and your umbrella won’t swallow you. There is no public transportation to Falasarna Beach.
Best way to get there:
- 🚗Car Rental
- 🗺️Tour
3. Zorbas Beach
The infamous dancing scene of the infamous movie, Zorba The Greek, was filmed right here!
Never heard of it? Neither had I. If you are familiar with the famous instrumental Greek dance song, Zorba’s Dance, this movie is famous for featuring it with the iconic sirtaki dance at the beach.
Movie fame aside, I loved Zorbas Beach. There are no public transportation routes from Chania to Zorbas Beach
Best way to get there:
- 🚗Car Rental
Side note: I got bit by a fish here, OMG. Nothing serious, but like what?!
Apparently it’s a more common thing along beaches in the Mediterranean region. Absolutely not a reason to not visit, but just noting it!
4. Combination: Elafonisi, Falasarna, and Oldest Olive Tree in The World
This trip was one of my absolute favorite days in Crete. Sea By Bus picked us up bright and early from a bus stop 10 minutes from our Pandora Suites Hotel.
It was one of the smallest group tours I had ever been on, providing a more immersive experience of the island.
The minivan was comfortable, air-conditioned, and spacious, and they had unlimited cold water and beverages.
In addition to a delicious beach lunch, they include an entire slideshow presentation (literally!) about the island in the van on the way to your stops for the day.
The guides’ passion for the island is contagious and I can’t often say how much I learned about a destination from the ride itself. I mean, we’re talking everything from food, history, the best places to go… and the Greek alphabet!
Sure, the tour is a bit on the pricier side, but I say it’s worth every penny.
Best way to get there:
- 🗺️Guided Tour
- 🚗Car Rental (do it on your own)
Cities
5. Rethymno
Rethymno is the closest, big city to Old Town Chania. Located 1.5 hours by direct bus route, it is absolutely the easiest big city to get to via public transportation from Chania on the island.
It did strike me as very similar to Chania, just a bit more touristy. I might not take a day trip here again, but it is super ideal to stop on the way to Knossos Palace or Agios Nikolaos.
Rethymno is an exact halfway point between Chania and Heraklion making it perfect for an evening of exploration on your way to the east side of the island.
Other main features of the town include its own Venetian Harbor and the giant Venetian fortress. I loved visiting the fortress so much!
⭐Tip: There is no shade at the fortress. Please bring an umbrella, and tons of water, and pace yourself if visiting during the summer months.
I definitely got heat sick from spending so much time in the sun and not packing enough water!
Best way to get there:
- 🚌Public Transportation Bus
6. Heraklion and Knossos Palace
I recommend booking a day tour if you are visiting Knossos Palace as a day trip due to the 3-hour bus ride. If you are open to this long of a bus trip on a day and navigating public transportation in a short amount of time, it’s definitely doable!
But if you’re short on time, I do think the benefit of public transportation as a one-day trip could be worth it.
Best way to get there:
- 🚌Public Transportation Bus
- 🗺️Guided Tour
⭐Tip: The bus from Chania to Heraklion has only one stop where you can get off the bus to use the bathroom: Rethymno.
Ask the bus attendant if you can get off and use the bathroom here so that they can wait for you. Outside of this, it is considered a “no stop” bus, so plan accordingly. We almost had a bathroom emergency!
Outdoors
7. Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge is by far one of the most popular day trips from Chania, and one of the top reasons people visit Crete. It is described as over-hyped and crowded by many locals, but visitors swear by it.
Alternate recommendation: While I did not visit Samaria Gorge, it looks similar to Saklikent Gorge near Fethiye, Turkey.
I highly recommend this as a day trip if you are visiting Turkey’s coast! You get amazing gorge views minus the intense hike (unless you choose!)
Best way to get there:
- 🚌🌊 Bus and Ferry combination
- 🚗Car Rental
- 🗺️Guided Tour
8. Imbros Gorge
Imbros Gorge is one of the most popular alternate gorges to Samaria on the island. The hike is about half the distance and the views are still considered great, but there is no turquoise water to walk along.
This was our alternate gorge choice to Samaria. However, heat exhaustion from the scorching June sun kept us away this time around.
Best way to get there:
- 🚌Bus
- 🚗Car Rental
- 🗺️Guided Tour
Island:
9. Santorini
Oh, Santorini. This was my first trip to Greece several years ago because you know, Santorini! Santorini and Mykonos are known as two of the most iconic storybook islands in Greece.
Personally, I don’t think a day does not quite give it justice.. And I think most travelers would agree.
However, it is doable and tons of tour operators are offering day trips from the Old Town Chania port to Santorni’s magical, blue-roofed island.
If you’re tight on time and you want to island hop, this might be the perfect opportunity for you. Keep in mind day tours are pricey within the $100-$200 range.
Best way to get there:
- 🗺️Ferry Tour
10. Loutro
Loutro is one of the main reasons I need to get back to Crete! It gives quintessential Greece vibes like white-washed buildings over the turquoise shoreline.
You can only access Loutro by foot or boat, so getting there is an adventure all in its own… one of the main reasons we ended up not visiting.
While you can reserve a taxi, the ride from Old Town Chania to the ferry port towards Loutro is $100 USD one way. (At least this is what I was quoted during my visit).
I’m sure a visit would be absolutely worth it if you are renting a car!
There are no public transportation options to get directly from Chania to Loutro.
Best way to get there:
- 🚗Car Rental
⭐Tip: Uber does not operate on the island, so catching a cab on a whim is not a recommended option in more rural parts of the island. It’s easy for your accommodation to book you a cab in bigger cities.
Conclusion
Chania is a prime destination for a wide variety of day trips.
Its central location on the West part of Crete makes it a great leaping off point for day trips to beaches, historical sites, neighboring towns, and so much more.
