Chania is a beautiful port city and a lively place with approximately 54,000 inhabitants which can be ideally explored by hired car. It is located on the northwest coast of Crete and has an atmosphere that reflects its Venetian and Turkish past. It is also surrounded by many wonderful places, such as Balos, Elafonissi, Paleochora, Sfakia, Falassarna and Samaria Gorge. Why not hire a car and explore Chania and the whole island of Crete? It is certainly the best way to get to the wild and remote areas of the island. You can visit the places that interest you the most and travel at your own pace. With Driveboo, you can compare car hire deals in Chania and book a car online.
The west side of Crete and Chania is a wonderful place for vacations and ideally explored in spring or autumn. The city is a romantic place to stroll, with medieval architecture, elegant mansions and a beautiful Venetian harbor, the most famous attraction of the city. In the immediate vicinity of Chania there are many tourist beaches which are quite silent during autumn and spring. All beaches have crystal clear waters and each offers a unique experience, from a tourist developed beach to secluded coves. The natural beauty of the area is breathtaking. However, you should also not miss excursions to the region to discover the fabulous places of Chania during your autumn and spring trip.
Natural Lake Kournas
Elafonissi Beach
Branches of the well-known car hire companies can be found near the city centre, just a short bus or taxi ride from Chania airport. You can decide for yourself which pick-up location will be most convenient for you. A trip to Chania usually begins at Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis" (CHQ). After a renovation in early 2017, the airport has been very modern and clean. It is served by several European charter and scheduled airlines. From the airport, it is possible to take a scheduled bus to the city. Apart from the bus, the city is accessible only by taxi. The journey takes about 20 minutes for both means of transport. You can also hire a car directly at the airport, which is the most convenient option.
A hired car is an ideal way to travel as a tourist on Crete - only this way is it possible to explore the island comfortably and completely. The condition of the roads can vary greatly, but they are usually fairly easy to drive through. The road network has been expanding since the 1980s. So far, the bypasses of Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion have been completed.
However, one should always keep an eye out for potholes, or sheep and goat herds. The Cretans prefer to drive freestyle and like to cut corners, which is why using horns and keeping on the far right-hand side of the road is recommended before any turn.
Type of road | Speed limit (km/h) |
---|---|
Urban areas | 50 |
Outside urban areas | 90 / 100 * |
Highways | 130 * |
*Depends on the signage; the maximum speed is always indicated by signs.
Yellow-marked roadsides indicate no parking zones, blue-marked ones are chargeable and white-marked are free parking zones.
Chania is an attractive destination for sightseeing and shopping for many tourists. There are many places to eat and drink, such as Greek taverns and chic cafes, that are open until late at night.
The old town is located around the harbor, which is a charming labyrinth of alleys and houses that have stood there for hundreds of years. They were built, destroyed and rebuilt with attention to detail from different eras. The old town is full of souvenir, art and handicraft shops. The beaches start not far from the old town. The nearest is Nea Hora, 1 km from the western end of the old town. The best way to explore Chania and its surroundings is, of course, with a hired car.
Cathedral of Chania
Destination | Distance by car in kilometres | Time |
---|---|---|
Samaria Gorge | 42.8 km | 1 h 28 min |
Maleme | 18.7 km | 28 min |
Gerani Beach | 15.4 km | 25 min |
Botanical Park of Crete | 18.9 km | 32 min |
Elafonisi | 72.6 km | 1 h 39 min |
Heraklion | 142 km | 2 h 9 min |
Rethymno | 60.8 km | 1 h 6 min |