Aerial view of the beautiful city of Chania with the old harbour and lighthouse in Crete

Holidays to Chania

The sizzling sunshine, sublime sea and soft sand of the Mediterranean are what Chania holidays are all about. Consider your Crete beach break sorted!

A charming coastal city break

There’s a lot more to Chania’s coast than just slapping on some sunscreen and getting toasted on the sands! Head to the Venetian harbour to tuck into a Greek salad at a waterside taverna, go magnet shopping (other items available), enjoy a well-earned ouzo lemonade or embark on a boat trip. Parakalo!

Gorge-ous walks

Early bird? Don’t let a holiday ruin your schedule. Get up before dawn and you can explore one of Europe’s longest (and most scenic) canyons, Samaria Gorge. This 16km (10 miles) hike starts at Xyloskalo and ends in the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, taking in dramatic cliffs, tight passageways and crystal-clear streams along the way. Walking shoes or some hard-as-nails trainers are a must.

Thyme to eat and drink

There’s always an excuse to eat and eat well in the city, so whether you’re a foodie or not, Chania holidays will leave you satisfied. Treat your tastebuds by eating like a local: drizzle organic thyme honey over yoghurt for brekkie and fill up on dakos (think Greek panzanella) or boureki (layers of cheese, potatoes and veg) for lunch. You can also enjoy a tour and a tasting at Manousakis Winery. Yamas!

Shop until you drop

If your credit card is feeling neglected, show it some love by hitting the streets behind the harbour for some retail therapy. From jewellery and leather bags to ceramics and jars of honey, you’ll find lots to snap up. There are plenty of markets in Chania too, including the Municipal market (fresh produce and Cretan specialities), the leather market (belts, bags, purses and shoes), and several street markets.

Sneak Peek

Best for... Beach bums who love adventure and history 🏝️

Go... In early summer for balmy weather and fewer crowds ☀️

You have to... Set your alarm (just once) to hike the Samaria Gorge ⏰

Chania holiday deals

Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete

4.8

Excellent

Chania, Crete, Greece
  • 4 Jun 2026
  • 7 nights
  • Half board
  • From Stansted

Prices from

£2,436 pp

Atlantica Kalliston Resort

4.7

Excellent

Chania, Crete, Greece
  • 25 Sept 2026
  • 7 nights
  • Bed & breakfast
  • From Birmingham

Prices from

£1,493 pp

Kriti Hotel

4.6

Excellent

Chania, Crete, Greece
  • 6 May 2026
  • 14 nights
  • Bed & breakfast
  • From Gatwick

Prices from

£971 pp

Conte Marino Villas

Chania, Crete, Greece
  • 30 Apr 2026
  • 7 nights
  • Self-catering
  • From Stansted

Prices from

£1,239 pp
Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Details

Currency

Euro

Language

Greek

Time difference

GMT +2

Cost of a beer

€3

3-course meal

€20-€25

Flight time

3 hrs

Best beaches: Nea and far

Nea Chora Beach, near the Old Town, is the local sandy spot for classic beach behaviour, aka snoozing-slash-sunbathing and swimming-slash-splashing. If you’re after a quieter beach day, choose Kladissos Beach for more sand, shingle and space to stretch out. For more of Crete’s glittering coastline, Elafonissi Beach, with its picturesque white and pink sand, is more than worth the effort. So is the beautiful Stavros Beach, which featured in that iconic dance scene in Zorba the Greek.

Culture and history: Plenty of it

From its Venetian mansions to its ancient mosque, Chania’s Old Town will charm your sandals right off. But there are plenty more historic and cultural gems beyond its Venetian walls. The Palace of Knossos is Crete’s big hitter when it comes to ancient ruins. It’s around a two-hour drive from Chania. If that’s too far, opt for the ancient ruined city of Aptera, which is a 25-minute drive away. Want something closer still? Chania Archaeological Museum is right on your doorstep.

Best of the rest: The all-in-one getaway

Chania delivers a quintessentially idyllic Greek island holiday. Take a boat trip to small nearby islands like Kri-Kri Island to dive into the sea and snorkel. Dine al fresco at the harbour for waterside views and plenty of ambience. Travelling with kids? Chania is home to plenty of family-friendly hotels and beach tavernas, and you can treat the little ones to a high-octane day at the waterpark (Aqua Creta Limnoupolis) too.

When to go to Chania

Crete has a deluge of sunshine from April to November, with July and August the hottest and busiest of those months. For a good peak season deal, compare packages and try to book your hols well in advance.

If you’re into hiking and visiting historic sites, head to Chania in April or May. The Samaria Gorge will be at its prettiest (hello, spring flowers!) and the mid-20s temps mean you won’t sweat through your socks.

For cheap Chania holidays that give you a taste of Crete at its best, but without the high-season crowds, search for deals in late spring or early autumn.