Greece is hands down one of the best places to go for those of you looking for the perfect combination of adventure, history, and gastronomic exploration. And Chania, a city located on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. It’s not a huge city but it sure does have a lot to offer. We’ve put together a 3-day itinerary for you to reference as you bask in the rich culture, delightful cuisine, and stunning landscape. Happy travels!
Day 1:
Explore Old Town Chania:
Start your day early with a leisurely walking tour of Chania’s old town, where winding cobbled streets are packed with cute alleyways, eateries, quaint shops, and old mansions. Here you’ll find a beautiful fusion of Venetian and Ottoman architectural styles that will transport you to another time. We’ll take you back to Old Town for a few notable meals as your trip goes on, but let’s start you off on the right foot with the following highlights:
- Municipal Market: Wind through Chania’s municipal market, Dimotiki Agora. Here you’ll find local vendors selling everything from produce to honey to snails and everything in between. It’s the perfect place to take in the gastronomy of this little city.
- Lunch in the Turkish Quarter:
Just out the back door of the market, you’ll encounter the quaint Turkish quarter of Chania, Steeped in Ottoman influence, this piece of the city feels much separated from the typical Grecian feel. It’s also one of the best areas in town to have lunch. Grab a table at the Well of the Turks for some incredible traditional dishes and be sure to keep your eyes on the sky for the iconic minaret of Houghiar Tzamissi, a monastery turned mosque after the Turkish invasion of 1645. - Other notable attractions:
If you have some extra time and energy before your olive oil tasting, have a quick walk through the Orthodox Cathedral of Chania, visit the Archaeological Museum of Chania, and check out Firka Fortress, the Venetian fort built to defend against enemies.
Olive Oil Tasting:
In the afternoon, head to an olive oil tasting tour to sample some of the best olive oil in the world. There are many options, but we loved Pallada, a family-run operation just outside of town. The tour includes a stroll through olive orchards, during which your guide will explain the growing and harvesting process. You will then be walked through the milling process and educated about all aspects of olive oil production/extraction. Finally, you will sit with your tour-mates as your guide walks you through a tasting of 4 different kinds of olive oil.
You will definitely want to book your olive oil tasting in advance. The best tours are located outside of town, so be prepared to take a car. Oftentimes the tour will help you set up transportation.
Dinner at Chrisostomos and a walk to the lighthouse:
You can’t have a trip to Chania without visiting this vibrant traditional restaurant. Their menu offers up a wide variety of traditional Cretan food, much of which they cook in an old, wood-fired oven. After dinner, walk along the walls of the city to the Venetian lighthouse. Along these walls, you’ll find locals and visitors alike sharing snacks, wine, and intimate conversation as they gaze out over the sea.
Day 2:
Hiking Samaria Gorge:
If you have any sort of love for nature and an eye for adventure, a hike through the Samaria Gorge is something you cannot miss (seriously). Samaria National Park sits within the White Mountains of Crete and holds one of the most incredible gems of a hike we’ve ever encountered. Let’s look at some of the details:
Getting there
Whether you choose to approach this epic hike by car, tour bus, or public transit, you’ll wind your way up a maze of switchbacks to the little town of Xyloskalo (altitude 1,230 m). You’ll want to start as early as possible (tours often leave Chania around 6 am) so that you have enough time to complete the hike and enjoy a refreshing swim and rejuvenating lunch at the end.
The hike:
From Xyloskalo, you’ll hike 16 km down to the seaside town of Agia Roumeli on the other side of the island. As you make your way down to the sea, you’ll follow a beautiful river that serves as the water supply for much of Crete. About halfway through, you’ll pass through the old village of Samaria (this is a great place to stop and drink from the river and/or say hello to the goats who love to hop around the ruins). Next, you’ll meander through the gorge, crossing bridges over the river as you look up at the awe-inspiring, towering cliffs on either side. As the gorge ends, you’ll come across a quant café where you can have the best glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice of your life. What a great way to fuel up for your last 3km to the sea. Note that the hike is almost entirely downhill and footing can be loose, so be sure to bring excellent hiking shoes.
Agia Roumeli:
Meander from the hiker’s café to the little seaside village of Agia Roumeli (be sure to greet the cats you meet along the way). Treat yourself to a refreshing swim before indulging in a much-deserved lunch at one of the eateries near the water. If you started your hike early enough, you will likely have some time to sunbathe on the beach as you daydream about the wonders of the gorge.
The return:
- Most tours will have you catch a ferry to the nearby town of Sougia, where a bus will be waiting to return you to Chania.
Dinner:
After your long day in the great outdoors you will be happily tired and ready for a good meal. Grab a quick shower and head over to the Tamam, a restaurant in the Old Port that boasts a cozy atmosphere and excellent traditional Cretan food. We love that Tamam took an old Turkish bath house and turned it into one of the best restaurants in town.
Day 3:
Visit an iconic bakery:
On your final day, take it easy. Have a slow morning and wander over to Iordanis, a traditional Greek bakery, for some breakfast bougatsa. You can find this sweet pastry all over Greece but Iordanis makes a unique version filled with myzithra cheese (a sheep or goat cheese). Sweet and tangy, it is absolutely unmissable.
Goat Beach:
You can’t leave Chania without exploring some of the most iconic beaches on the planet (seriously). There are several to choose from but because you only have one day left, we have to recommend our favorite. Seitan Limania, fondly known as the goat beech will blow your mind. Gorgeous, clear turquoise water sits nestled between two cliffs that create a slip leading out to the sea. It truly is breathtaking but the best part is the fact that, as you soak in the sun on the white sand or up on the cliffs, you will be sharing your experience with (you guessed it) goats! They inhabit the neighboring hillsides and like to wander down to the beach to take in the sites. They are very friendly and an absolute blast to be around. Just keep your food close!
We suggest visiting Seitan Limania earlier in the day as the sun dips below the cliffs relatively early, leaving the beach and the sea between them shady. You’ll need to take a bus or a car to get there. Note that the bus system in Greece can be a little unreliable, so plan accordingly.
Dinner at Salis:
On your last night in Chania, treat yourself to a wonderful sunset meal overlooking the Venetian lighthouse. Salis prides itself on working with locals to get the best and freshest ingredients. Their menu takes traditional Cretan concepts and updates them with a modern flare. It’s a little pricier than other options in town, but the experience (and the view) is more than worth it.
Are you sold on Chania yet?
We hope so. It’s a destination that offers a perfect blend of food, adventure, and culture. With three days, you can explore the city’s old town, hike the stunning Samaria Gorge (perhaps the best hike you’ll ever go on), relax on picturesque beaches, and soak in local cuisine and culture. So, hop on Skyscanner and book your flight. Pick a cute Airbnb and prepare yourself for something special.
