📅 Updated May 2026⏱ 16 min read🗓 5-day plan included
A Chania itinerary built well balances two things: the stunning natural beauty just outside the city (the pink sands of Elafonissi, the dramatic Samaria Gorge, the turquoise infinity of Balos) and the layered history of the Old Town itself, with its Venetian harbour, Ottoman mosques, and covered market. This 5-day plan has been refined to give you the best of both — without spending every day in the car.
How to Use This Itinerary
This itinerary uses Chania's Old Town as your base throughout — specifically the Venetian Harbour or Splantzia neighbourhood. You'll need a hire car from Day 2 onwards (days 2, 3, and 4 all require driving). Pick up your car on the morning of Day 2 from the city centre or airport.
Best time to use this itinerary: May–June or September–October. July and August work but Elafonissi and Samaria are extremely crowded — start even earlier.
Adaptable: Days 2 and 3 are the most weather-dependent. If Day 2 looks cloudy, swap it with Day 5 (city day) and go to Elafonissi when it's clear.
Fitness note: Day 3 (Samaria Gorge) involves 16 km of walking. If you're not confident, consider the shorter Imbros Gorge or Balos on a rented boat instead.
Old Town Hotels from €95/night
Stay within the Venetian walls — walk to the harbour, restaurants and all the best Chania streets.
Day 1 — Arrive: Old Town Walking Tour & Harbour Evening
Day 1
Arrival — Old Town & Venetian Harbour
On foot
Afternoon
Check in to your Old Town hotel. Drop your bags and head straight to the Venetian Harbour — walk the full length of the promenade to the lighthouse and back. The lighthouse (Φάρος) is a 10-minute walk from the harbour mouth and gives the best view of the old town.
Late afternoon
Explore Splantzia neighbourhood — duck into the narrow backstreets around Plateia 1821. This is the most authentic part of the Old Town: Ottoman fountains, restored Venetian mansions, small boutiques and excellent coffee. The Church of Agios Nikolaos (converted mosque dome still visible) is worth a look.
Evening
Dinner in Splantzia. Tamam restaurant (Zambeliou St) is one of Chania's oldest and most beloved — Cretan-Ottoman fusion in a converted hammam. Alternatively, Well of the Turk on Kallinikou Sarpaki Street is atmospheric and excellent for slow evening dining. Book ahead in summer.
Night
Walk the harbour at night — the lighthouse and the Kucuk Hassan Mosque (the domed building on the harbour) are beautifully lit. Evening drinks at one of the harbour cafés. Early night — Day 2 requires an early start.
Tip: Buy water and snacks at a supermarket today for tomorrow's beach day. The main supermarket (Lidl/Chalkiadakis) is 10 minutes' walk from the Old Town.
Day 2 — Elafonissi Beach (Full Day)
Day 2
Elafonissi — Pink Sand Lagoon
76 km southwest
7:30am
Pick up your hire car from the city centre (or arrange the previous day). Early start is essential — Elafonissi's car park fills by 10am in July/August and the beach becomes very crowded by midday.
8:30am
Drive to Elafonissi (76 km, approximately 1h 20min via the scenic coast road through Palaiochora or the slightly faster mountain route via Elos). The mountain route through Elos passes through Cretan chestnut groves — beautiful in autumn.
10am – 4pm
Full day at Elafonissi. The lagoon is shallow (rarely above knee-deep) with a pinkish tinge from crushed shells. The far side of the islet (wade across the shallow channel) is less crowded. Snorkelling is excellent in the rocky areas. Bring your own lunch or eat at the tavernas on site (expect queue in peak season).
Evening
Drive back to Chania via Paleochora for a seafront dinner before the return — or head directly to Chania for dinner in the Old Town. Return by 8pm.
Tip: Arrive before 9am for a parking space and the beach mostly to yourself. Post-10am arrival means a 15-minute walk from distant parking and a very crowded beach by noon.
Elafonissi's pink sand and turquoise water — arrive early for the full experience.
Day 3 — Samaria Gorge (Full Day Hike)
Day 3
Samaria Gorge — Europe's Longest Gorge
16 km hike, full day
5:30am
Very early start. Drive from Chania to Xyloskalo trailhead (44 km, about 55 minutes). The gates open at 6am. Starting by 6:30–7am means hiking in the coolest part of the day and finishing before the worst of the afternoon heat. In peak summer, the gorge at midday can exceed 40°C.
7am – 1pm
Hike the gorge. The path descends steeply from Xyloskalo through pine forest, then levels out through the gorge proper. The narrowest section — the Iron Gates (Sideroportes) — is the highlight: 3-metre-wide passage with walls 300 metres high. The gorge ends at the village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea coast.
1 – 3pm
Swim and lunch at Agia Roumeli — the village is accessible only by foot or boat, making it surprisingly peaceful. The Libyan Sea is a different temperature and character from the northern coast — warmer, more vivid blue.
3:30 / 5:30pm
Ferry back to Hora Sfakion (€15, 30 min). The last ferry is typically at 5:30pm — check current schedules. From Hora Sfakion, a bus runs back to Chania OR drive from Xyloskalo if you left your car there. Most guided tours include transport both ways.
Tip: Guided tours from Chania handle all the transport logistics — bus to the top, ferry from the bottom, coach back to Chania. From €35 per person, they save significant planning effort and ensure you don't miss the last ferry.
The Samaria Gorge narrows to just 3 metres at the Iron Gates — one of Greece's most dramatic natural sights.
Samaria Gorge Guided Tour from €35
Includes bus to Xyloskalo, gorge entry fee, ferry back and coach to Chania. No transport headaches.
Drive to Kissamos harbour (45 km west, 45 minutes). Early ferry departure to Balos: typically 10am or 10:30am. Book ferry tickets in advance in peak season — GetYourGuide and local booking offices on the harbour both sell them.
10am – 3pm
Ferry to Balos lagoon (1.5 hour crossing each way). The lagoon is otherworldly: three-coloured water — turquoise, azure and deep navy — with a long white sand bar and wild goats on the surrounding cliffs. Shallow enough to wade across the lagoon. Return ferry typically at 3pm or 4pm (check current schedule).
5pm
Drive 15 minutes south from Kissamos to Falassarna beach for the sunset. Falassarna is one of Crete's best beaches and faces due west — the sunsets here are exceptional. Swim, eat at a beach taverna, and watch the sun drop into the Aegean.
Evening
Drive back to Chania (55 min) for a late dinner in the Old Town. Tonight, try the Koum Kapi seafront for grilled fish — this neighbourhood just south of the Old Town walls has excellent seafood restaurants favoured by locals.
Tip: Alternatively, Balos can be reached by 4WD via a rough road from the inland — but the boat trip is part of the Balos experience and the views approaching the lagoon from the sea are extraordinary.
Balos lagoon — the turquoise, azure and deep blue of the three-coloured lagoon are unlike anywhere else in Greece.
Balos Boat Trip from €20 per person
Book the Kissamos to Balos ferry in advance — sells out quickly in July and August.
Day 5 — Chania City Day: Agora, Museum & Farewell Dinner
Day 5
Chania City — Market, Museum & Farewell
On foot
Morning
Start at the Agora (Municipal Market), Chania's covered market built in 1913. The cross-shaped hall is packed with stalls selling local honey, olive oil, herbs, cheese, and the famous Cretan dried herbs. Perfect for last-minute gifts. Arrive early for the full atmosphere before the tour groups arrive.
Late morning
Walk to the Archaeological Museum of Chania (in the Church of San Francesco, Halidon Street). The Minoan collection — pottery, jewellery, figurines dating from 2000–1100 BC — is outstanding and compact: allow 45–60 minutes. Entrance is approximately €6.
Afternoon
Return hire car if collected in city (or return to airport if leaving tomorrow). Explore the Halepa neighbourhood 15 minutes east of the Old Town — the former diplomatic quarter with neoclassical mansions, Eleftherios Venizelos's mansion, and a quiet seafront promenade very different from the tourist Old Town.
Evening
Farewell dinner at the Venetian Harbour. Splurge on a harbourfront table at one of the better restaurants — To Karnagio on the harbour for grilled fish, or Thalassino Ageri (Akti Enosis, 10 min walk) for a more special-occasion seafood meal. Book ahead.
Tip: If you have a morning flight, do the Agora and a quick harbour walk only — the museum and Halepa need at least a half-day each to do justice.
Practical Info: Costs, Car Hire & Where to Stay
Estimated costs per person (5 days)
Item
Budget
Mid-Range
Comfortable
Accommodation (5 nights)
€150
€350
€600
Car hire (4 days, split 2 people)
€45
€55
€75
Food & drink
€120
€200
€320
Samaria Gorge tour or entry
€18
€35
€45
Balos ferry
€20
€20
€20
Museum entries
€10
€12
€12
Estimated total (per person)
~€363
~€672
~€1,072
Flights are the biggest variable. Direct flights from UK airports to Chania (CHQ) in May/June/September frequently appear for €80–150 return on Skyscanner.
Car Hire from €18/day — Essential for This Itinerary
Days 2–4 all require a car. Book in advance, especially July/August — supply is tight at peak season.
Old Town, Venetian Harbour, Splantzia — Arrive, walk the harbour, dinner in Splantzia. No car needed.
Day 2
Elafonissi beach (full day) — Hire car from morning. Early start essential. Return via coast or mountains for dinner.
Day 3
Balos lagoon by ferry from Kissamos — Morning drive to Kissamos, boat to Balos, afternoon return. Farewell dinner on the harbour.
If you must choose between Elafonissi and Samaria Gorge for a short trip: choose Elafonissi if you prioritise beaches and scenery; choose Samaria if you prioritise hiking and want a truly unique physical experience. Both are unmissable on a 5-day trip.
See our detailed day trips from Chania guide for more excursion ideas including Rethymno, Akrotiri, and the villages of the White Mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Five days is the ideal amount of time in Chania — enough to see the highlights without rushing. You can comfortably fit in the Old Town, Elafonissi beach, Samaria Gorge, Balos lagoon, and a final city day at the Agora market and Archaeological Museum. Three or four days still delivers an excellent trip if you prioritise two or three of these highlights.
The Old Town (Venetian Harbour area) is the best base for most visitors. Staying within the old walls puts you within walking distance of the harbour, the best restaurants, and Chania's most atmospheric streets. Splantzia neighbourhood is particularly recommended — quieter than the harbourfront but deeply characterful. For beach-first travellers, Agia Marina (15 minutes west) is an alternative, but loses the Old Town atmosphere.
Yes — a car is essential for Days 2 through 4 of this itinerary. Elafonissi, Samaria Gorge, and Balos are not practically accessible by public transport. Car hire from Chania airport or city centre starts from around €18/day and is strongly recommended from Day 2. Book well in advance for July and August.
A realistic mid-range budget for 5 days in Chania (per person, excluding flights) is €600–900 — covering a good Old Town hotel, car hire (split between two), dinners out most evenings, a guided Samaria tour, and the Balos ferry. Budget travellers spending around €400 can cover the same itinerary with a budget hotel or apartment. Comfortable travellers spending €1,000–1,400 per person unlock boutique hotels and more restaurant flexibility.
The Samaria Gorge is open from May to October. The best months are May, June, and September — lower temperatures and fewer crowds than peak July–August. Always start as early as possible (the gates open at 6am) to avoid the heat of the day. The hike takes 5–7 hours for most people at a comfortable pace.
Yes — Samaria Gorge is open to self-guided hikers and most people do it independently. The trail is well-marked and only goes in one direction (downhill from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli). However, a guided tour handles the transport logistics — bus to the top, ferry from the bottom, coach back to Chania — which saves significant planning effort. Guided tours from Chania start from around €35.
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Your Perfect 5 Days in Chania, Crete
Day-by-day plan: Elafonissi, Samaria Gorge, Balos Lagoon, Old Town & hidden gems. Free for subscribers.
