Recommendations
Agios Onoufrios (area of villas)
Top Restaurants in Chania Town (hit view for map)
Tamam Restaurant: Housed in a 15th-century Venetian bathhouse, Tamam offers traditional Cretan dishes with influences from Venetian, Egyptian, and Turkish cuisines. Oinoa Wine Bar: Mediterranean wine bar and restaurant known for its romantic ambiance and extensive wine list. Enetikon Restaurant: known for its roasted meat dishes and offers half portions, allowing guests to sample a variety of menu items. To Xani: offers traditional Cretan cuisine in a scenic setting. Tholos: Set in a historic building with a charming courtyard, a unique dining experience with a blend of traditional and modern dishes. Mon.Es: Known for its healthy European and Greek dishes Kritamon: serves Mediterranean and Greek cuisine with a focus on healthy options. To Mikio Taverna: offers a traditional Greek atmosphere with dishes like grilled lamb, moussaka, and stuffed zucchini flowers. Oinopoieio: small authentic taverna Boheme: offers Mediterranean and Greek cuisine in a cozy and charming setting.
Top Bars in Chania Town (hit view for map)
Sinagogi: an open-air bar nestled in the ruins of an ancient synagogue Tsalikis Fisherman Bar: quiet, rustic fisherman bar by the water a bit further from the center Fagotto Jazz Bar: historic jazz bar is housed in a 15th-century Venetian building Bras de Frères: combining exquisite cocktails with uplifting music choices Barfly: a cozy bar with beautiful decorations, KLIK Bar: a vibrant disco bar located behind the old Mosque of the Janissaries, known for its excellent music selection and lively dance floor. Plaka Music Bar: known for its unique variety of Greek beers and eclectic decorations, Boheme: transforming into a cozy bar at night, Boheme offers a rustic feel with a wide selection of in-house award-winning cocktails. Nama RestoBar: an al-fresco bar experience with excellent drinks and a view of the harbor.
Samaria Gorge
This is one of our favorite activities in Crete but does require time. You'd drive or take a bus from Chania town to the city Omalos, where you'd either stay on the bus or drop your car and get on the bus to the entrance of the gorge. From the entrance of the gorge, you'd hike down into the gorge (largest in Europe!), about 12 miles to an incredible fishing village / beach with restaurants and an incredibly remote oasis. After your day at the beach, you'd take a small ferry boat back to the bus that will then take you all the way to Omalos for your car or Chania depending on how you arrived. You should plan about 4-6 hours round-trip travel (2-3 hours each way + the day hiking / hanging in the fishing village, beach). It is absolutely worth it, but likely would take up your whole day, so plan accordingly!
Rethimno
Another old castle / port town about 1 hour drive from Chania. It is also truly amazing, good for a day trip or few days, especially if on the way to/from Heraklion. Highly recommend sheeps milk ice cream...
Western and South Western Beaches (Falasarna, Elafonissi)
We haven't yet been to this side of the island but have heard how stunning these beaches area. Falasarna is known for its beach bars / clubs next to oasis and Elafonissi is known for its pink sand and remote natural beauty. These are all < 1.5 hours drive from Chania and many boat ferries go on day trips from Chania town as well.
Heraklion
Capital city of Crete. Great dinner and night vibe, feels like any larger southern European capital with great ancient greek history, food, and walking streets. Its generally busier, a bit dirtier than some of the smaller cities, but very authentic and a great place to spend a few days.
Matala (beach in the South)
Every beach in Crete is unique and Matala is no exception. This was a "Hippie haven" in the 70s and 80s, and also know for its dramatic caves and rock formations jutting out into the water. It is ~2.5 hours from Chania, ~1 hour from Heraklion but an incredible place to spend the day, especially sunset.
Agios Nikolaos, Greece
Great unique city on the eastern side of Crete, closer to Heraklion. Very local fishing village vibe that is built up but less busy relative to the bigger cities. About 3 hours from Chania, 45 minutes hour from Heraklion
Vai Beach
One of our favorite beaches in Crete, all the way on the north eastern tip of Crete. Even if you are in Heraklion, its ~ 2.5 hours drive. Its a long day (so 4 hrs+ from Chania). Only recommend if you are spending some time exploring the eastern side of the island for a few days (we did it in a day trip from Heraklion and it was definitely rushed).