CHANIA · CRETE
The standouts on this list.
The 10 standout things to do in Chania. From the Venetian harbour to Balos lagoon, from a Samaria gorge walk to a White Mountains lunch — the days worth planning around.
7-hour cruise from Kissamos to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa for swims, a Venetian castle hike, and big-views Cretan coast time.
“It was very relaxing. Easy to navigate the day. Fun. The whole 9 yards.”
Guided Samaria Gorge trek from Chania with mountain views, then ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sougia. Challenging hike.
“The organization was great — everything ran smoothly from start to finish. No waiting, no confusion, and clear instructions throughout the day. The guide spoke very good English and was professional, though she was a bit on the pragmatic side, spending about 40 minutes going through the don’ts. It made sense given the nature of…”
4x4 Land Rover safari from Rethymno to Preveli palm beach, gorges, and villages, with lunch and unlimited wine included.
“Our guide Dionysus was wonderful. He is very knowledgeable. He took us to all the right spots and gave a great background. He has the perfect attitude.”
Elafonissi pink-sand beach day trip from Chania with four hours to swim and explore, plus an Elos Village stop for optional Cretan lunch.
“Ingrid’s voice is so calming and she made the trip very relaxing. Dimitri is the BEST DRIVER in Crete.”
Guided Samaria Gorge hike from Chania with a pro guide, Kri-Kri spotting, then swim at Agia Roumeli and boat back along Crete’s south coast.
“The walk down this magnificent gorge to the sea is like discovering a ‘thin place’ where heaven and earth are somehow closer together. It’s truly beautiful and breathtaking and the surrounding mountains are as beautiful as the gorge itself in the shards of morning light sunlight. Our guide Nikos was very switched on to the…”
Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa in one packed day from Chania, with a boat ticket and guided ferry logistics—swim, hike, and photos included.
“Easy pick up and drop off process. Overall very fun day. A bit crowded.”
SUP in calm Marathi Bay with hotel or port pickup, patient coaching, and surprise stops for caves, sea life, and a little cliff-jump courage.
“The experience was great with clear blue waters. The instructors were amazing. Being our first time they were patient and very accommodating. The surprises on the excursion were different and exciting.”
Air-conditioned bus day trip from Chania to pink-sand Elafonisi with 4 hours to swim and explore, plus a stop in Elos.
“Fantastic!! A well organised tour, you get the instructions ahead of time, nice guide, gorgeous beach, overall very good!!”
Four hours on a quad through Crete’s north-coast back roads, with a dam lake cafe, Prassano Gorge, and views over Rethymno.
“This was the best part of our trip to Greece! Such great value and a perfect amount of time spent doing the activity. I would recommend anyone to do this if you are able!”
Sail from Kolimvari to Agioi Theodoroi for snorkeling, SUP, and Kri Kri goats, plus a 3-course meal and unlimited drinks.
“One of our favorite days on Crete. The boat was gorgeous and our guides were very welcoming. The small group made the trip even better. We saw many boats pull up with 30+ people on it and we were grateful for our 10.”
