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We compared the tours and day trips from Chania and West Crete, so you don't have to – Samaria Gorge, Balos, Elafonissi and more, with honest drive times.
Find your tourTop rated · Season 2026
Hand-picked from the offers around Chania – ranked by real reviews, price and effort.
243 tours available · Sorted by number of verified reviews. Prices from GetYourGuide as of our last update. The current price and availability are shown on GetYourGuide before booking.
⏱ 7 hours · 4.1 (8,875)
Enjoy a scenic boat trip to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. Swim in emerald waters, hike to a Venetian castle, and admire Crete’s landscapes.
from €40 per person
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⏱ 9 - 12 hours · 4.6 (3,552)
Enjoy a challenging trek through one of Europe's longest gorges. Marvel at natural wonders, from the White Mountains to a thousand-year-old forest.
from €40 per person
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⏱ 9 - 12 hours · 4.3 (3,204)
Visit the most famous spot in Crete! Cruise along the coast, swim in the turquoise waters of Balos, and hike to the Venetian castle on Gramvousa Island.
from €60 per person
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⏱ 8 - 11 hours · 4.6 (2,898)
Visit the famous Elafonisi Pink Sand Beach with 4 hours of free time. Explore the traditional village of Elos at your leisure, then enjoy an authentic Cretan wine tasting. Avoid…
from €27.30 per person
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⏱ 10 - 14 hours · 4.4 (2,636)
Discover the culture and beauty of Crete on this guided day trip. Explore the cosmopolitan town of Rethimno, visit the Little Venice of Crete, Chania, and see the picturesque la…
from €43 per person
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⏱ 7.5 - 12 hours · 4.5 (2,248)
Spend a relaxing day on Elafonisi Pink Beach and soak up the sun on a pink sand beach get a free beach umbrella. Enjoy the natural beauty enjoy Cretan honey and wine tasting on…
from €40 per person
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⏱ 10 hours · 4.6 (1,795)
Enjoy 4 full hours at Elafonissi with a guaranteed free sun umbrella, travel comfortably in a modern coach, and taste authentic Cretan honey and wine. A premium, stress-free day…
from €27.24 per person
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⏱ 4 hours · 4.8 (1,642)
Discover the wild side of Crete on a half-day quad safari with off-road trails, mountain views, traditional villages and a panoramic photo stop overlooking Rethymno and the Cret…
from €70 per person
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⏱ 5 hours · 4.2 (1,576)
Enjoy a comfortable and wonderful cruise to Balos.\nSpend 2.5–3 hours in the exotic beach-lagoon of Balos, which is a rare natural monument of incredible beauty.
from €36 per person
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⏱ 3.5 hours · 4.9 (1,467)
Experience culture, history, traditional villages, breathtaking views, and untouched nature on this half-day buggy safari. Explore otherwise inaccessible spots and enjoy a free…
from €65 per person
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⏱ 7 hours · 4.6 (1,249)
Discover Crete’s authentic flavors as you visit an ancient olive tree, a bakery, an olive mill, a cheese factory, and a winery—tasting traditional local delicacies along the way.
from €42 per person
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⏱ 14 hours · 4.7 (1,239)
Hike Samaria Gorge National Park with a professional hiking guide. Travel by modern A/C coach, get a safety briefing, and enjoy organized ticket support before entering the gorge.
from €31 per person
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Pick your date and see what is still free – you book directly with GetYourGuide, at the same price.
Rental cars
Planning to drive yourself? Comparing prices before you arrive is worth it. We are not a car rental company — the booking runs directly with Discover Cars.
Quick comparison
Prices from GetYourGuide as of our last update; the price GetYourGuide shows when you book applies. Availability changes daily in high season.
| Tour | Best for | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa from Kissamos | The postcard lagoon | 7 h | ★ 4.1 (8,875) | €40 | Check price → |
| Samaria Gorge with a hiking guide | Fit walkers, a full day | 14 h | ★ 4.7 (1,239) | €31 | Check price → |
| Elafonisi Beach with Elos village and honey tasting | A beach day without driving | 10 h | ★ 4.5 (772) | €27 | Check price → |
| Sunset boat cruise to Lazaretta with a guide | One evening instead of a whole day | 1.25 h | ★ 4.8 (1,011) | €20 | Check price → |
Why Chania Tours
We're an independent comparison guide for Chania and West Crete – not a tour operator.
Offers from Chania, Kissamos, Rethymno and the south coast, ranked by real reviews – updated for the 2026 season.
Secure checkout via GetYourGuide with instant confirmation on your phone – no printouts needed.
Wind decides a lot on Crete: Balos sailings can be called off at short notice. Most offers can be cancelled free of charge up to 24 hours before – the terms are on each booking page.
Honest drive times, which tours start where, what to wear in the gorge – all in our free guides.
Guides & tips
Honest answers to the questions travellers ask us most.
Samaria Gorge cannot be done in a few hours: the walk alone takes 4 to 7 hours, and the tours from Chania state 9 to 14 hours door to door. Which day is shortest and what the hours consist of.
Read the guide →What guests of the Samaria tours from Chania are promised, how the ratings compare from 4.4 to 4.7 stars, and the people for whom a day on loose stones is a bad idea.
Read the guide →The Samaria park fee is paid at the gate. Which Chania tours say the ticket is included, which only help you buy it, and what the extra €29.40 for the all-inclusive day covers.
Read the guide →Good to know
From Kissamos Port, not from Chania. Kissamos is the nearest harbour to the lagoon. From town you either drive there yourself or book a version with pickup – check the listing, because the boat ticket is sometimes sold separately.
It is a full day: 16 km on loose stones from the Omalos plateau down to Agia Roumeli, then a ferry and a coach back. Fit walkers manage it, but it is not a stroll. The gorge is open only in the dry season, roughly May to mid-October, and can close in bad weather or extreme heat.
Yes for the west: the Omalos trailhead of the Samaria Gorge, Balos and Elafonissi are all closer to Chania than to Heraklion, and the harbour is where the boat trips start. Knossos and the east are not – they are a long day away, and Heraklion is the better base for them.
Not for the big three – gorge, Balos and Elafonissi all have tours with pickup. A car helps if you want your own pace at Elafonissi or to reach villages and beaches no tour visits. The last stretch to Balos is a gravel track; check your rental terms before you drive it.
On Crete the wind can call off sailings at short notice, especially to Balos. Operators then usually offer another date or a refund – the terms are on each booking page. Book early in your stay so you have a spare day.
The short boat trips and beach days work for most ages. The Samaria Gorge is a long, hard walk and rarely a good idea for small children; the same goes for long coach days in summer heat. The age limit is stated on every booking page.
Other places in the region — same approach, their own tours:
Tours from €20 · available today
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