Chania

Chania is the second city of Crete and the capital of the island's western region, on the north coast between the Akrotiri peninsula and the White Mountains. The name covers both the town, with its Venetian harbour, and the region around it, which runs from the lagoons of the far west to the gorges of the south coast. Chania airport is on Akrotiri, about 14 km from the town.

We list villas and hotels in Chania town, on Akrotiri, around Kissamos in the west and along the coast to the east. Below: what each area is like, who it suits, the best beaches, drive times and when to come.

Town, west, east or south: where to stay

Chania town is built around the Venetian harbour, laid out between 1320 and 1356. The lighthouse at its entrance dates from the late 16th century and was rebuilt in its present form in the 1830s. Behind the harbour, the old quarters of Topanas and Splantzia are narrow lanes of Venetian and Ottoman houses, small hotels and tavernas, with no cars in much of the centre. It suits short stays, couples and travellers who want to walk everywhere. Suburbs such as Mournies and Daratsos are a few minutes from the centre and quieter.

Akrotiri, the peninsula north-east of the town, is where the airport is. It is mostly villages and small beaches rather than resorts. Kounoupidiana is close to town, and Stavros has a shallow, sheltered bay below a mountain. It suits families and people who want space close to the town and the airport.

The west coast from Stalos to Agia Marina and Platanias is the resort strip, 20 to 25 minutes from the airport, with long organised beaches, hotels and nightlife. Further west, Kissamos is a small working town and the port for the boats to Balos. It suits people who want the far west's beaches within easy reach.

The east, the Apokoronas area, has green villages and calm beaches at Almyrida, Kalyves and Georgioupoli, 30 to 40 minutes from the airport. It suits families and longer, quieter stays.

The south coast, below the White Mountains, is reached by mountain roads and, in places, only by boat. Sfakia and Paleochora are about 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 30 from the airport, and the Samaria Gorge ends here, at Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.

The best beaches around Chania

Crete has more Blue Flag beaches than any other region of Greece.

Far west

• Balos: a shallow lagoon of white sand and turquoise water at the tip of the Gramvousa peninsula. Boats leave Kissamos port every morning in season, or you can drive about 8 km of dirt track from Kaliviani and walk down.
• Falassarna: a long sandy beach on the west coast, facing the sunset.
• Elafonisi: at the south-western tip of Crete, with pink-tinged sand and a shallow lagoon you can wade across to a small island. It is a protected area, about 1 hour 30 from the airport.

Near the town

• Stavros: a small, almost round bay on Akrotiri with very shallow water, good for small children.
• Agia Marina and Platanias: long organised beaches west of the town, with sunbeds, water sports and tavernas.
• Almyrida: a sheltered bay in Apokoronas, with tavernas along the beach.

When to go

The sea temperatures below are monthly averages for Chania.

May: green, with wild flowers, and the sea at about 19°C. The Samaria Gorge usually opens on 1 May. June: about 23°C. July and August: the warmest sea, about 26°C, and peak season. The week around 15 August is the busiest of the year across Greece, so book early, and go to Balos and Elafonisi early in the day. September: about 25°C with fewer people. October: about 23°C, and the last month the Samaria Gorge is open, usually until 31 October. November: about 21°C, and the sea is still warm enough to swim.

How we choose where you stay

Villa4You has been renting holiday homes in Greece since 2005. We can arrange airport transfers to anywhere in the region.

Browse villas and hotels in Chania, or ask for a shortlist.