Top Chania Outdoor Activities

Elafonissi Beach frequently appears on lists of the world’s most beautiful beaches because of its stunning pink colored sand and aquamarine water. Avoid the hassle of figuring out local public transport schedules and travel on with ease on an air-conditioned bus. Along the way, see pretty traditional villages—such as Elos and have plenty of time to relax and unwind at the beach.

Discover the rugged landscapes of Crete's northern coast on an all-terrain vehicle (ATV or quad bike) adventure with transfers from Rethymno hotels. Splash through streams, wind along ancient gorges, and look for island wildlife from behind the wheel of a personal solo or tandem quad that can access tucked-away mountain reaches. You’ll need to be at least 18 and have held a license for one year to drive the quad.

On this small-group tour with up to 6 guests per vehicle and guide, travel in a comfortable four-wheel drive vehicle to off-road locations that you wouldn’t be able to access by bus or minibus. Venture from Kaliviani village to the spectacular Balos lagoon and Falassarna Beach. As an extra perk, a sunbed is reserved for you on the beach, and lunch is provided at a local restaurant.

The Samaria Gorge is one of Europe’s longest gorges. Traverse it in safety with a professional mountain guide on this small-group door-to-door tour. Your hike begins in Omalos, as you follow the path of an ancient river through rugged mountain landscapes. Finish in Agia Roumeli then board a boat to Sfakia, where the bus will return you home. Please note: Boat tickets and gorge admission are at your own expense.

The whole family will enjoy this fun snorkeling activity, which is both relaxing and adventurous. With a small group of no more than ten travelers you'll be taken on a boat ride to two different snorkeling spots. Experience the difference at the open ocean and sheltered spots, both with an abundance of sea life. Snorkeling gear will be provided so you don't need to bring your own.

Getting to know the real Chania is difficult without a guide to show you behind the tourist sights. This small-group tour delivers: introducing you to its foods, customs, people, and wines in ways only a local can. Stroll around Chania’s lanes, churches, and monuments; meet townsfolk, visit authentic spots, and taste traditional cretan products as "koulouri", “kalitsounia”, “graviera”, “mizithra”, “Cretan salad”, “local olives”, “boureki”, “pastitsio”, fresh tomatoes, local Cretan honey and wine.. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included. Your Lunch time/food tasting, will take place at a restaurant.

Taxi and rideshare prices can change on the day, but a prebooked transfer always costs the same, regardless of traffic. Ensure a stress-free, cost-controlled transfer from Chania airport on Souda Bay to your hotel or precise address in the Chania city area by booking this private service. There’s space for up to four travelers.

Explore the Cretan coastline from a standup paddleboard on this guided tour around beautiful Marathi Bay. After a short instruction and safety lesson, head out into the bay, exploring smaller islets, diving spots, and a small cave system along the way. Stop from time to time to swim with the marine life or catch your breath on the beach. This tour is good for all ages and experience levels, a great way to enjoy time with friends and family on the water.

This day trip from Crete packs a lot into one tour. Visit an Ottoman fortress, a local folklore museum, a cheese factory and more. Learn about and taste raki, an aperitif flavored with anise. Have lunch in a kafeneio (traditional Greek coffeehouse) where you can hang with the locals and experience the real Crete.

Treat your senses to the ancient flavors of Crete on a wine tour from Chania. Travel through the mountains of the Kissamos region and traditional Cretan villages to reach two family-run wineries, where you’ll taste regional wines and olive oils. You'll also stand before one of the world’s oldest olive trees on this relaxed wine tour of northwestern Crete.

Maximize time in Crete with a half-day private tour of Chania. Get picked up at your hotel or the location of your choosing in Chania and set out on a sightseeing tour focused on local history and heritage. See top landmarks including the Old Venetian Harbor, Lighthouse of Chania, Firkas Fortress, and Hassan Pascha Mosque. Get to know Chania's Old Town and the many cultures that influenced its character.

Discover the smells, tastes, and sights of Crete on a small-group tasting tour via 4x4 with up to 6 guests per vehicle and guide. Explore with a local driver/guide in a small group on this intimate full-day food-centered adventure from the Chania area. Visit the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves; sample wines and olive oils at Anoskeli Winery Olive Mill while learning more about the wine- and oil-making processes; savor lunch with dessert at the Milia Mountain Retreat; and view the Topolia Gorge.

Balos Beach and Lagoon and Gramvousa Island hold some of Crete’s most dazzling beaches. But they can be fiddly to reach independently. Skip the self-drive hassles and relax on this small-group day trip, which includes door-to-door transfers from select hotels. Enjoy a couple of hours on the soft white sands at Balos then a slightly shorter stop on Gramvousa Island. Please note, the boat to Gramvousa is at your expense.

Skip the self-drive stress and indulge as much as you want on this full-day trip to Elafonisi Beach, a 90-minute drive from Chania. Stop at Agia Sofia Cave (subject to conditions), a dramatic cave that contains a historic church, then head to the white sands and turquoise waters of Elafonisi Beach. Enjoy the dunes, the lagoon and facilities such as umbrellas, showers and snack bars (own expense), before heading home.

Explore Crete’s diverse palm forests, gorges, and beaches on a full-day Land Rover safari with a guide to reveal the best of the island’s scenery and culture. Rumble along remote roads, passing landmarks like Prassano Gorge and Potamon Dam, and stopping to swim in the Libyan Sea. Get a taste of Cretan country life when you visit traditional villages like Spili, and enjoy a local lunch with free-flow wine.

Set out on a journey to explore the White Mountains of Crete during this full-day excursion from Chania. Join a small group and venture away from the city to discover small, traditional villages as well as the local wildlife. You also get to know about the local culture and the simple, laidback lifestyle in the region as you visit small communities.

Crete’s 5-mile (8-kilometer) Imbros Gorge makes a scenic yet not too challenging hike—ideal for older travelers and families (under-14s go free). With no direct public bus connections from Chania, this affordable tour makes sense. A hiking escort keeps an eye on everyone, while you enjoy a seamless transfer to picturesque Sfakia for swimming and perhaps a taverna meal. Pay as you go for all expenses except guiding and transfers.

Santorini’s dazzling landscape is just as impressive from the water as it is from the top of the island. Get to know the island’s coast with your own private yacht tour. Captained by a local raised by sailors, you’ll spend the day soaking up the sun, the views, and plenty of Greek alcohol. You’ll stop at beaches for refreshing swims, relax with a mud bath, and have lunch in a traditional tavern.

Avoid the noise and stress of impersonal large-group tours with an intimate small-group tour to Elafonisi Beach and Milia Mountain Retreat. This isn’t just a transfer service as you'll take a guided tour around some beautiful Cretan villages before relaxing on Elafonisi Beach. Exclusive beach loungers and umbrellas are reserved for you so you won’t miss out. Refuel with a tasty Cretan lunch at Milia Mountain Retreat.

Western Crete's rugged landscapes yield extraordinary produce, yet they're tough for ordinary vehicles to access. With a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle, get off the beaten track on this intimate 4WD safari experience. Taste extra virgin olive oil and five different wines at the Anoskeli Winery Olive Mill; touch an ancient olive tree; and enjoy a Cretan lunch with a round of drinks and dessert.

Discover Crete by water with this private boat trip to Balos Lagoon. Climb aboard a boat for a scenic excursion in the Mediterranean Sea to Gramvousa Beach. Go snorkeling off the boat with provided equipment or swim and sunbathe. The itinerary and tour length can be customized according to your individual interests.

Get off the beaten track into Crete's rugged heartlands in small groups up to 6 people per vehicle/driver. See the Sebronas Gorge and hear the village's dramatic history; see an authentic Cretan Samaria Gorge National Park—and maybe even meet the shepherds; taste five different Cretan wines; and savor a restaurant lunch. For ease, your day includes round-trip transfers direct from many Chania area hotels.

This tour offers an unforgettable experience to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island. The tour starts with a visit to Balos, a stunning lagoon with turquoise waters and white sand beaches, located on the northwest coast of Crete. Visitors will travel to Balos by road, where they will enjoy the scenic drive and see the beautiful landscapes of the island. Once there, visitors can take a walk around the lagoon, where they can swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Next, the tour moves to Falassarna, a long sandy beach with crystal clear waters, known for its excellent windsurfing and kite-surfing conditions. This tour offers the perfect opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Crete. The tour is private, meaning that it will be tailored to your specific interests and schedule, and also offers flexible timing, allowing you to plan your visit to fit your schedule and make the most of your time on the island.