Hi! We will arrive at the Chania (Souda) cruise port around noon. Have 7-8 hours to explore with a rental car. Where should we go? We have kids with us. Hoping for a relaxing day but don't want to miss the highlights of the island.
I've heard of the Balos Lagoon and the Elafonissi beach. Would you recommend either one of them? Worth it to go to both？
Thanks!
Jenny
Personally I would not rent a car at all. The reason your cruise ship stops at Chania is because of the wonderful experience one will have wandering around a medieval old town and harbour.
Just take the bus or a taxi to Chania and enjoy the city.
However if you do want to use the car you can drive to Elafonissi. It is probably a 2 hour drive along the coastal road. Three if you use the interior mountain route.
While Balos is closer you are not allowed to drive your rental car on the road to Balos. You invalidate your insurance the second your tires turn onto the road. There is a boat excursion but it won't be back in time for you to get back to the ship.
If you want a shorter drive than Elafonissi you could go to Falasarna. It is a string of nice beaches. It also has an ancient site. If you have an I phone there is an app that recreates the site.
Other places you could consider are the archeological site at Aptera just 18km east of Chania or you could continue to Rethymno to explore the Fortezza. It also has an old town like Chania. But if you want to see an old town just stay in Chania. Chania also has a beach which is a 10 minute stroll along a tree lined seaside road west of the city walls.
Perhaps images will help.
Western Crete http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632115757899/
Chania http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632117917828/
Theotokopoulou St area http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/sets/72157632118491316/
Gramovossa, Balos Elafonissi https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157698932695812
Ancient Aptera, Melidoni Cave and village.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/7215767211837963
Here's a photo of that Nea Chora beach ... https://www.west-crete.com/chania-nea-chora.htm -- it's not that special, but on a hot day, it's close by for a cooling dip. Lots of restaurants/pizza places fronting on the sands -- order something & you probably could use the restroom to change duds. I remember one day my friends & I walked from our Theotokopoulu pension, about half a mile west, to sun & swim. It was late in the afternoon, and families were arriving... dads on scooters with kid on back, jumping into water & splashing. We enjoyed the situation so much we stayed on, bought some pizza from a shop. When family dinnertime approached, moms stood at waterline coaxing kids to leave the water, waving their shirts. One didn't need Greek to understand their message -- come out NOW or I'll throw your clothes in the water!! What a fun time... the kind of interlude you remember longer than a fancy tour.
Thanks janet and stanbr! So if I don't rent a car and don't go to the faraway beaches, it will not be the regret of my life? It's a port intensive cruise, so I don't mind a relaxing afternoon in the old town.
These beaches are pretty awesome and I love this.
Good call Jenny. You will love Chania old town.
Those west coast beaches are spectacular but not suitable due to distance on a cruise port stop. Enjoy beautiful Chania with it’s myriad of cultural and architectural influences.
OK, I hear you. We'll stick to Chania! We are a party of 5. Will taxi's take us? Or do we need two taxis? If the latter, is it still worthwhile to rent a car just to explore Chania and maybe the nearby areas (such as the Costa Costa beach)? Or is it a hassle not worth having?
Chania Old Town is for walking... most of the sights are on no-cars lanes. If you decide on a swim, I refer to the Nea Chora beach and y es, you'll need 2 taxis, or just ask where the bus stop is.
