Chania is a very popular tourist destination. Accommodation and restaurants are often overbooked, so we advise you to book well in advance. How to go in Crete? Where to sleep in Chania? We give you tips on how to get to Chania (plane, boat, car), get around (public transport, cabs), stay and eat in the town.
- Our selection of accommodation
- Our best restaurants
- How to get to Chania: plane, ferry, car
- Getting around Chania: on foot, by bus, by cab
Where to sleep in Chania?
For accommodation, we recommend staying in the old town. Enjoy the atmosphere, cafes and restaurants. What’s more, you can do it all on foot.
In the old town, many Venetian mansions have been converted into hotels. Here are just a few that we’ve spotted or that have been recommended to us by close acquaintances.
- First, at less than €100 a night: Hotel Helena, El Greco
- Then between €100 and €150: Hotel Off, Erietta Suite ( some rooms have a balcony overlooking the port)
- Finally, for a treat: the very chic Residenza Vranas or the Ottoman House.
- There’s also a great range of accommodation on Booking.
Outside the city, you can opt for a seaside hotel.
For example, we stayed at Hermès Studio in Stalos. It offers studios and small apartments. Some overlook the sea. A friendly welcome and reasonable prices. We love the immediate proximity of the beach (no road to cross), a little less the very touristy environment and lack of charm of the street.
Where to eat in Chania?
Avoid harbor-side restaurants for dinner at all costs. In fact, they take advantage of their situation to charge high prices, and the quality is often not up to scratch.
We recommend some of the taverns we enjoyed in the center:
- Strata Tavern: Tavern on a cool side street, Greek cuisine. Very friendly with children.
- Tamam: just behind the port, this restaurant offers a fine selection of mezzes.
How to go to Chania?
Flying to Chania
To get to Chania, you can of course fly. An airport is just a few kilometers from Chania. In season, many national and international flights arrive directly in Chania. There are also flights to Heraklion.
Getting to Chania by road
Chania is located in western Crete. The town lies on the main axis that crosses Crete from east to west. From Heraklion, it’s a 2-hour drive.
The city is well served by Ktel buses. You can also opt for a rental car, which will give you more freedom to visit the island afterwards, especially western Crete.
How to get to Chania from Athens by boat
A ferry crossing is available from Athens. Daily ferries run between Chania and Heraklion. We also recommend a night crossing, as it’s a long one. (it takes almost 9 hours). The boats are large ferries, so they are very stable and the cabins are comfortable. It’s a little cheaper than flying, especially as you save two nights’ hotel accommodation (the nights spent on the boat). What’s more, you’ll enjoy an early-morning arrival in Chania… marvellous! That’s the choice we made, and we haven’t regretted it. Simple, efficient booking at the same price as in port with FerryHopper.
Getting around Chania
On foot
The city is very pleasant to explore on foot. The streets are narrow and cobbled. And you’ll love getting lost in it. Expect to travel a few miles!
By car
We strongly advise you to leave your car behind, as parking is very difficult. If, however, you’re a gambler and have ventured out by car, we recommend parking in the Sklavenitis supermarket parking lot. It is located close to the old city walls.
By public transport
Chania has an extensive public transport network. You’ll find all the information you need on this website.
Find a cab in Chania
Cabs are available throughout the city. But if you would like to make a reservation, you can do so with Welcome Pickups. The booking page on their website is in English, and you know right away how much you’re going to pay! A good way to anticipate a stress-free arrival 😉
What to see and do in Chania?
We’ve devoted an entire article to Chania’s must-sees. We invite you to read the article carefully.
Sophie B.
Updated February 26, 2024
