Cheap flights to Chania
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Quick summary
Country
Greece
Continent
Europe
Airport
CHQ
Currency
Euro
Time zone
UTC+2
Deals already spotted to Chania
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Crete's most atmospheric town
A harbour city to base yourself in western Crete
Chania sits on the north-west coast of Crete, and its old town wraps around the best-preserved Venetian harbour on the island. Venetian, Ottoman and Jewish quarters are layered on top of each other in a few walkable lanes, and beyond the town lie three of Crete's great day trips: Samaria Gorge, Elafonissi and Balos. With about 54,000 people in the town itself, Chania is big enough to stay lively and small enough to explore on foot.
It was the capital of Crete until 1971, when the seat moved to Heraklion, and the birthplace of the statesman Eleftherios Venizelos. Its roots go back to ancient Kydonia, a city mentioned in the Odyssey.
The Venetian harbour
Lighthouse, fortress and the oldest Ottoman mosque in Crete
The heart of Chania old town
The lighthouse at the harbour mouth began as a Venetian structure and was rebuilt by the Egyptians in the 19th century, which gives it its Egyptian style. On the other side, the Firka fortress has housed the Maritime Museum of Crete since 1973. Along the quay stands the Janissaries Mosque, also called the Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque, built in 1645 and the oldest Ottoman building on the island.
Old town quarters
Exploring Chania old town, quarter by quarter
| Quarter or landmark | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Kastelli | Minoan excavations |
| Splantzia | The former Turkish quarter, where Agios Nikolaos church has both a bell tower and a minaret |
| Sifaka Street | Bars, cafes and traditional knife shops |
| Etz Hayyim Synagogue | The memory of the Jewish quarter |
| Municipal market | A cross-shaped market hall from 1913 |
| Orthodox cathedral | Built in 1860 |
Seven centuries in brief
From Venetian Canea to the Cretan State
Traces of Neolithic life have been found in Kastelli. In 1252 Venetian colonists founded Canea on the abandoned ancient site. The Ottomans took the town in 1645 after a two-month siege and held it until 1898, when Chania became the capital of the semi-autonomous Cretan State. The town was heavily bombed in the Second World War, yet Splantzia still keeps its period atmosphere.
Souda
Souda, the ferry port and a war cemetery
Chania's ferry port is at Souda, a few kilometres east of the old town and linked by city bus line 13 roughly every half hour. Ferries from Piraeus take around 8 to 9 hours, usually overnight. Souda Bay is also home to the Commonwealth war cemetery, designed by Louis de Soissons, where soldiers who fell in the Battle of Crete are buried.
Day trips
Three great escapes from Chania
Samaria Gorge
A 16 km descent of 1,230 m from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli, taking 5 to 8 hours. At the Iron Gates the walls are about 3 m apart and 300 m high. The gorge opens roughly from May to mid-October, weather permitting.
Elafonissi
About 75 km south-west, 1.5 to 2 hours by car, with pink-tinged sand at the waterline. It is a Natura 2000 area home to loggerhead turtles, not far from the 17th-century Chrysoskalitissa Monastery, perched 35 m above the sea.
Balos and Gramvousa
About 56 km west, Balos is usually reached by a cruise that also stops at Gramvousa.
| Destination | From Chania |
|---|---|
| Balos and Gramvousa | About 56 km west, usually by cruise |
| Elafonissi | About 75 km south-west, 1.5 to 2 hours by car |
| Samaria Gorge | 16 km on foot, 5 to 8 hours, from Xyloskalo to Agia Roumeli |
| Rethymno | 64 km, about an hour by bus |
| Heraklion | About 2 hours by road |
Getting there
Chania airport and getting around
Chania Daskalogiannis
About 12 km north-east of the town, on the Akrotiri peninsula.
Buses run hourly to Rethymno, 64 km and about an hour away, and Heraklion is roughly 2 hours by road. The old town is car-free: in season, arrive before 10 am to find parking nearby.
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In pictures
Chania in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Chania
Which airport serves Chania?
Chania Daskalogiannis Airport (CHQ), about 12 km north-east of the town on the Akrotiri peninsula.
How many days should I spend in Chania?
Three to four days based in Chania, plus one more if you want to hike Samaria Gorge.
Can you hike Samaria Gorge from Chania?
Yes. Buses run from Chania to the start at Xyloskalo. Allow 5 to 8 hours for the 16 km walk down to Agia Roumeli, and remember the gorge opens roughly from May to mid-October, weather permitting.
Where do ferries to Chania arrive?
At Souda, a few kilometres east of the old town, linked by city bus. The crossing from Piraeus takes around 8 to 9 hours, usually overnight.
How much does a flight to Chania usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the period and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Chania drops below my budget?
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