One of the most popular day trips from Chania is the boat cruise to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. The boat departs from Kissamos port, about 40 kms west of Chania.

You will first visit the tiny uninhabited island of Gramvousa, which has a long and interesting history. You can hike up to the Venetian castle, built between 1579 and 1584, offering fantastic views of the area. There will also be time to swim and explore the nearby shipwreck of a boat sunk in 1968.

Later on, you will move to the stunning Balos Lagoon, continuously voted as one of the best beaches in the world. You will have enough time to swim, lie on the beach and take plenty of photos. The last boat returns to Kissamos port at 19.30, so you will have plenty of time to return to Chania.

A beach often featuring in the list of 10 best beaches in the world, Elafonisi Beach at the southwest of Crete has to be seen to be believed. The combination of amazing turquoise sea water and pink / white sand create an otherworldly environment.

Elafonisi is a protected Natura area. While there are loungers in some places, you can also find entirely unspoilt nature once you have walked over the shallow lagoon and onto the little island. Explore this natural paradise and enjoy your day on the lovely beach – just make sure you don’t leave anything behind.

If you are based in Chania, it’s recommended to take a day trip to Crete’s biggest city, Heraklion, and visit the Ancient Palace of Knossos.

The Knossos Palace was the center of the Minoan civilization, which reached its peak around 2700 – 1400 BC, and started to decline afterwards. The visit to the Palace is followed by a visit to the Heraklion archaeological museum, one of the best museums in Greece. The guided tours will help bring the sites and exhibits to life, and give you an idea of what everyday life was like back then.

There will also be free time in this tour. You can either explore the city of Heraklion, or sit down for a traditional Cretan meal, accompanied by the local alcoholic drink, raki.

Another popular activity in Crete is a hike through Samaria Gorge. This 15 km long trek passes through an ancient forest, and the landscape is spectacular. You will have the chance to see some of Crete’s flora and fauna, and to experience nature at its best.

Tip – if you are planning to hike Samaria gorge, don’t forget to pack proper hiking shoes, as the terrain is rocky and mountainous and the company will not accept you without appropriate footwear.

Note that summer in Crete can get pretty hot, so the best time to hike Samaria gorge is spring or autumn. The gorge is generally open between 1 May – mid October.

If you want to explore the old centre of Chania, there is no better way than a walking tour with a local. A town strategically positioned of the map, Chania has been conquered by several people over the centuries. As a result, you can see buildings from pretty much every era – Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman.

During this walking tour of Chania, you will stroll around the back streets and have the chance to explore the many secret corners and hidden gardens of the town. You will also visit the superb Municipal market, where you can sample tasty traditional products, and perhaps buy a few things to bring back with you. Needless to say, there will be a chance to sit down for a proper Cretan meal.

If you have always wanted to try and scuba dive but never had the chance, scuba diving in Chania can be a great experience. During this activity you will be given all scuba diving equipment, and you will learn basic diving techniques under the constant supervision of expert PADI instructors.

You will have the chance to dive at a depth of 8 metres, and enjoy the spectacularly clear waters of the Mediterranean. Insurance is also included – just bring your swimsuit and towel.

This is the perfect tour if you want to know more about Cretan olive oil and wine, and dive deeper into Crete’s food culture.

During this day trip from Chania you will visit villages up on the mountains of Kissamos. There will be stops at two wineries, where you will learn more about Cretan wines and you will have the chance to taste a few different varieties.

Furthermore, you will get to taste different types of extra virgin olive oil produced in Crete, accompanied by local snacks and delicacies. This is a relaxed activity where you will learn more about what makes Cretan food so unique and special.

During this six-hour tour, you will get to visit some of the most authentic traditional villages in East Chania. There will be a chance to visit the folklore museum of Apokoronas, and explore the traditional knitting techniques through the help of local grandmothers.

Later on, you will visit a raki distillery and a cheese making facility, and you will learn more about the ways these traditional products are made today. Your Cretan experience will be complete by visiting a local kafeneio, where you will have the chance to speak with locals and find out more about their way of life.

This is an ideal tour if you want to dive deeper into the culture, while trying some delicious products.

Cretan cuisine is considered to be one of the healthiest in the world – and in our experience, one of the tastiest. Even if you have no special cooking skills, combining your trip to Chania with a Cretan cooking class is a great idea.

During this activity, you will have the chance to choose and pick vegetables from a garden, while learning more about their use and about the herbs that accompany them. There will also be a chance to talk to shepherds and to find out more about the olive harvest.

You will learn how to prepare some of the simplest Cretan dishes, and you will get the chance to savour a full meal, complete with traditional Greek desserts.

If you are after a quiet, private activity, look no further than a sailing cruise from Chania. This relaxed day trip will include plenty of time to swim in unspoilt bays, enjoy the sunshine, and take plenty of photos of the island.

Your experienced captain will always find the best areas to go in order to be protected from strong winds, and if you feel like it, you can try sailing the boat for a while. A delicious meal, served on board, is included with this tour, to make your day memorable.