⭐ Ranked by real traveller reviews
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.
229 tours available · Sorted by number of verified reviews. Prices and availability come live from GetYourGuide.
⏱ 7 hours · 4.1 (8,775)
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 (3,546)
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 €28 per person
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⏱ 9 - 12 hours · 4.3 (3,117)
Visit the most famous spot of Crete !Cruise along the coast,swim in the turquise waters of Balos,and hike to the Venetian castle on Gramvousa Island.
from €42 per person
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⏱ 8 - 11 hours · 4.7 (2,768)
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 €26 per person
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⏱ 10 - 14 hours · 4.4 (2,537)
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 €39 per person
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⏱ 9 - 12 hours · 4.6 (1,766)
Enjoy a challenging trek through one of the longest and most famous gorges in Europe. Marvel at natural wonders throughout the day, from the White Mountains to thousand-year-old…
from €35 per person
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⏱ 3.5 hours · 4.9 (1,434)
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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⏱ 14 hours · 4.7 (1,221)
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 €28 per person
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⏱ 7 hours · 4.6 (1,151)
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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⏱ 7 - 11 hours · 4.3 (1,133)
Get an introduction to some of the best beaches on the south coast of Crete. Travel on a guided day trip to Plakias and Preveli Beach, and venture through the island's palm…
from €25 per person
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⏱ 1 day · 4.5 (1,116)
Explore Crete’s iconic Samaria Gorge on a full-day hike. Enjoy stunning mountain views, crystal-clear springs, the Iron Gates passage, and a boat ride along the southern coast.
from €27 per person
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⏱ 75 minutes · 4.9 (995)
Discover the beautiful island of Lazaretta and enjoy the sunset behind the Kissamos mountains. Learn about the history of Chania from your guide as you take in the Mediterranean…
from €20 per person
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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
All prices per person, checked October 2026. Availability changes daily in high season.
| Tour | Best for | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa from Kissamos | The postcard lagoon | 7 h | ★ 4.1 (8,775) | €40 | Check price → |
| Samaria Gorge with a hiking guide | Fit walkers, a full day | 14 h | ★ 4.7 (1,221) | €28.21 | Check price → |
| Elafonisi Beach with Elos village and honey tasting | A beach day without driving | 10 h | ★ 4.5 (739) | €27 | Check price → |
| Sunset boat cruise to Lazaretta with a guide | One evening instead of a whole day | 1.25 h | ★ 4.9 (995) | €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.
Balos Lagoon is reached by boat, by 4x4 or on your own wheels, and the price gap between the options comes down to what is included. Six ways compared, from the €19 coach with the boat ticket extra to the sunset catamaran.
Read the guide →From a 75-minute sunset cruise at €20 to a small-group sailing day with a meal at €75: ten boat and water trips around Chania compared, and the ones that do not actually start at the Venetian harbour.
Read the guide →Short boat trips from €19, catamarans with a children's menu, a 35-minute semi-submarine, a buggy safari from age 4 and the tours that exclude small children. What the booking pages actually say about ages, strollers and seasickness, and which days are too long.
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.
Tours from €20 · available today
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