- Day 1
- Old town, harbour, market
- Day 2
- Akrotiri or Apokoronas
- Day 3
- Samaria, Balos or Elafonisi
- Car
- Useful for days 2 and 3
Day 1: the old town
Walk the Venetian harbour to the lighthouse, then the Topanas and Splantzia quarters. Visit the cross-shaped covered market (Agora), which opened in 1913, and the Maritime Museum or the new Archaeological Museum in Halepa. Finish with dinner by the harbour or in Nea Chora.
Day 2: something close
Spend a relaxed day on Akrotiri, with the Agia Triada monastery, a swim at Stavros or Marathi and a fish lunch, or head east to Aptera and the villages of Apokoronas.
Day 3: one big outing
Samaria gorge (16 km, open roughly May to October) is a long organised day with a ferry back. Balos means a boat trip from Kissamos or a dirt road and steep path. Elafonisi is a long drive south-west to very shallow water. Do one, not two.
Tips
Book a car for days 2 and 3 only if you do not want to drive in town. Parking near the old town is tight; use the larger car parks at its edge.
Questions before you go
Is three days enough for Chania?
Yes, for the town, one easy day and one major excursion.
Should I do Samaria or Balos?
Samaria for a big walk; Balos for the lagoon view and a boat trip.
Do I need a car in Chania?
Not in town, but it makes day trips much easier.
