Top Things to do in Chania Prefecture
What to do and see in Chania Prefecture, Crete: The Best Things to do Good for Big Groups
Discover the best top things to do in Chania Prefecture, Greece including Greek National Football Museum, Minoan's World The 9D Experience, Samaria Gorge National Park, German Military Cemetery, Archaeological Site of Ancient Aptera, Elafonissi Beach, Balos Lagoon, Lake Kournas, Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete, Kedrodasos Beach.
Restaurants in Chania Prefecture
1. Greek National Football Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 696 reviews
A unique Museum, the biggest one for a National Football Team, the Greek National Football Team, which was European Champions in 2004, located in the Old City of Chania and has over 1000 exhibits, balls from World Cup and Euro games, official shirts, photos and thw whole history of Greek football. BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC, THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE WHOLE MARCH.
Reviewed By che_ham
So glad we made the time to visit, this little museum is excellent, and can easily be visited even if you’re short of time. I’ve never been to a museum quite like this, it really is quite unique. We were limited on time, so were shown the shirts and memorabilia related to my team first - so I got to try on the shirts and get the pictures - then were shown the vast collection of international shirts worn by the greatest players of all time, and finally the lifting the Euro 2004 trophy given to Greece when they won the tournament. The personal touch here is what really makes it special though; being meeted and greeted as a friend, by someone with a genuine love of the game, and who delights in sharing this amazing collection that you can physically touch and feel, instead of the admiring-at-distance you expect of museums. A true home of world football.
2. Minoan's World The 9D Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 479 reviews
Experience the Minoan History like never before! Europe’s oldest civilization meets Europe’s first 3D Museum and 9D Cinema! We are a unique combination of a 3D Museum (non archaeological) with life-like statues made out of silicon and mesmerizing 3D art that comes to life through your phone's camera, and a 9D cinema which will take you back in time with fully immersive special effects such as air blasts, rain, snow, bubbles and smoke. Our epic movie has both a historical and mythological perspective. Multilingual movie system in 10 languages!
Reviewed By bayubabe
Movie with special effects was interesting and very enjoyable. Good place to spend some time away from the Greek heat . Staff extremely friendly and helped take a lot of photos. Freebie short roller coaster movie at the end was fun!
3. Samaria Gorge National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,241 reviews
Believed to be one of the most scenic national parks in Europe, this gorge stretches more than 10 miles to the south coastal region and offers many hiking trails.
Reviewed By KatrienS955 - Ghent, Belgium
As the guidebook stated, as well as the brochure from the travel agent, this is a medium difficult hike. Doing it the standard direction, downhill, you start with a steep decline over a mostly rocky path. A walking stick might help for those not used to walk rocky mountain paths. The part in the national park is 13 km, the last 3 km to the Libyan sea is a paved path and easy. If you do it downhill, it is not a very arduous hike. Along the route there are plenty of water fountains, resting places quite a few with benches and 5 toilets, so in that sense it is a luxurious hike. The scenery is very nice, especially the narrow parts of the gorge. Try to find a group that starts early, as it is hot at the bottom of the gorge, making the hike more difficult. Also, the earlier, the fewer people you meet. I did large parts without seeing any other hiker. Our group had 1 guide who started the hike about half an hour after us, and mopped up those in problem, which did not happen in our group. He gave very good information about the hike as well as some times by which to ideally leave the larger resting places. Note that you do not need to hurry to catch the boat, as that leaves only at 17:30. At the end of the hike you can take a refreshing swim in the sea. Just know that the dark grey pebbles are very hot, even with a towel between you and the pebbles. There are parasols and strand beds for rent. If you do it from Chania, it will be a long day, as the boat takes an hour and then there is another 1h30 drive back.
4. German Military Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 506 reviews
Reviewed By Deutschexpat13 - Pulheim, Germany
Roughly 20 km west of the Crete port city of Chania, up on a hill looking down at the Maleme airport, one will find the German military cemetery at Maleme. From April to November 1960, German casualties were collect from around the island to the Gonia monastery. They were collected from 60 sites around the island. In 1971, they are placed in the Cemetery at Maleme. The cemetery was officially inaugurated in 1974. 4,468 fallen soldiers from the Second World War rest on the site. The names of 360 soldiers who fell on the island but could not be recovered are immortalized on metal plaques on the memorial site in the middle of the grave fields. Information plaques are in Greek, German and English
5. Archaeological Site of Ancient Aptera
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 682 reviews
Reviewed By 777SarahB777 - Guildford, United Kingdom
Fascinating site with multiple civilisations evidenced, most impressive are the Roman cisterns and bathhouse, Greek temple, amphitheater and peristyle house
6. Elafonissi Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,358 reviews
Reviewed By Caligaltraveler
We rented a car from Chania and took this amazing drive to the countryside. The drive was quite long but so scenic and amazing. We stopped along the way and enjoyed the roadside vendors. Bought some delicious olive oils and olives. The eateries along the way were small, authentic and affordable. Once we arrived at the beach we were stunned. The water was crystal clear with no rocks or seaweed. You could wade out quite far before it got deep so this would be a very safe beach for kids. The beach sand was soft and clear of any debris and the colors of the water turning pink as the waves crashed really was spectacular. A must see and one of the highlights of our trip!
7. Balos Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,155 reviews
Reviewed By marcotL403QV - Rome, Italy
The most beautiful beach in Creta (together with Elafonisi) and famous for its wild nature, with turquoise waters and white sands turning to amazing shades of pink in some places. Waters are shallow, perfect for kids and lovely for grownups too. A legendary lagoon is also worth stopping by. Beware the boats throwing thousands of tourists in the middle of the day, although that is a very practical way to reach the place without going by car on a bumpy road. Ferries go back and forth from Kissamos port, but there are multiple trips during summer time, so I’d recommend to take the earliest trip available and then move to the island of Gramvousa nearby when the beach gets too crowded !
8. Lake Kournas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,429 reviews
Reviewed By senorblunders - Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom
This freshwater, cool, picturesque lake was a highlight of our time in Crete. Pedal out into the opposite edges, and you’ll find that the water is about three feet deep, totally clear, and teeming with koi carp. My daughter snorkelled in it for a couple of hours while I pootled about in the boat. We could have spent the whole day. Tip: eat at Georgia’s taverna just before you turn in to the lake. There’s a beautiful garden, with trampoline, and you’ll get a warm welcome, and raki with cookies to finish. Her speciality, home-grown food, is beautiful!
9. Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,311 reviews
Walking in the Botanical park & Gardens of Crete offes spiritual tranquility and visual pleasure in addition to knowledge on plants and their material . Nearly 20 hectares of land are waiting to welcome you, full of fruit trees from all over the world, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants in a park different from others, where the land’s formation and the region’s microclimate make it a paradise for hundreds of plants and animals! In the midst of this colorful and vivid landscape stands a burnt centennial olive tree, a memorial and a reference to the dismal fires of 2003, the park’s history and origin. The newest and one of the most interesting sites of the Prefecture of Chania lies only 18 kilometers outside the city, on the feet of the White Mountains. It is ideal for visitors of all ages, combining enjoyments that only Crete can offer!
Reviewed By Luc220116 - Southern Finland, Finland
A very interesting place showing lots of plants with clear signs arranged in themes like fruit, herbs etc. Remember to wear good shoes since the path goes up and down and is sometimes quite difficult. This place does not fit small children or prams etc., neither for people with feet problems or some heart condition. The entrance fee includes a bottle of water.
10. Kedrodasos Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 545 reviews
One of the best beaches in Chania prefecture, quite untouched and unexplored. Many travelers use the area around the beach as a free camping spot. It is actually a cedar forest next to the beach. It is also a favorite beach for naturists. The road up to Elafonisi is quite good and then you need to take a non asphalt road for about 10 minutes. Then you also need to take a walk path for another 15-20 minutes. No matter the time you will need to go there, it's sure that you will enjoy that unique beach.
Reviewed By MrJDB - London, United Kingdom
Made the mistake of going to Elafonisi first which was beautiful but very very overcrowded with shallow waters. This beach is an absolute stunner; peaceful and an amazing landscape of trees and rocks down to the shoreline. Pack a lunch and water for a day of bliss.
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