Unique experiences in Chania

Explore Chania on a SUP board

If you are a sea lover, you should not miss the chance to explore some of the most beautiful places of Chania on a SUP board. You can enjoy the sunset tour, Lazareta SUP & Snorkeling, Secret Coast Adventure or just rent a SUP for a free ride!

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Explore the White Mountains of Crete, with Uncharted Escapes

Embark on an adventurous semi-private safari tour to explore the famous White Mountains and visit an authentic local shepherd’s hut. Reach the top to savor a cup of coffee while enjoying the most astonishing panoramic view of Chania, before indulging in a traditional Cretan lunch.

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Chania Premium Sunset Safari Tour, with Uncharted Escapes

Get off the beaten track and explore uncharted routes to discover hidden attractions and all kinds of gems in picturesque villages that only locals know about. Revel in the magnificent panoramic views of Chania, and taste authentic Cretan wine paired with local delicacies.

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Scuba Diving, with Blue Adventures

This is the ultimate underwater experience for adventurers and nature lovers that want to escape the conventional holiday activities and come close to nature. Join a scuba diving session and swim deep into the azure waters of the Aegean Sea, explore hidden caverns, or witness a real seal cave.

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Explore the Secrets of Wine and Olives

Dive deep into the fascinating gastronomy of Crete with a wine tasting session at a traditional winery. Visit an old olive mill where you’ll discover an ancient 3000-year-old olive tree, explore the picturesque nearby villages, and luxuriate in a traditional Cretan lunch in this amazing culinary tour.

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Wine Tasting

Wine is among the most famous local products of Chania. Crete itself has a long tradition in winemaking, producing numerous kinds of wine that could excite even the most delicate palates. There are plenty of famous wineries you can visit to learn all about the process of winemaking and to sample a glass of authentic Cretan wine right from the source.

• Manousakis Winery, 16km from the hotel
• Karavitakis Winery, 25km from the hotel
• Anoskeli Winery, 31km from the hotel
• Pnevmatikakis Wine, 33km from the hotel
• Dourakis Winery, 37km from the hotel

Olive Oil Tasting & Farm Tours

Crete is known all over the world for its excellent, top-quality olive oil. In Chania, you can have a first-hand experience of how olive oil is produced, what an olive farm looks like, what makes local olive oil so special, and – of course – what traditional Cretan olive oil tastes like.

• Terra Creta, Kolymbari, 21km from the hotel
• Pallada, Sternes, 14km from the hotel

Samaria Gorge

43km from the hotel

The Samaria Gorge is undeniably one of the most famous natural wonders not only of Crete but of all of Greece. Boasting the title of a World Biosphere Reserve and featuring astonishing views of raw, unspoiled landscapes, it’s an attraction that you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Chania.

Aradena Gorge

93km from the hotel

A real must-see for visitors who long to witness a true natural wonder away from the tourist crowds and usual attractions. Spanning 15 kilometers, Aradena Gorge is one of the longest and deepest gorges in Crete, ideal for trekking and hiking as well as bungee jumping.

Palaiochora Village

71km from the hotel

The island of Crete teems with tiny, picturesque villages that are waiting to be discovered. Palaiochora village is certainly among the most famous and beautiful ones. Skip the tourist crowds, roam the streets of this enchanting village, marvel at the sea views along the coastline, and get a taste of authentic Cretan cuisine.

Sougia Village

60km from the hotel

Located on the south coast of Crete, the village of Sougia is one of those lesser-known attractions that you won’t find in commercial travel guides and tour leaflets. Yet, it’s an experience that can’t be missing from your itinerary if you are looking for authentic off-the-beaten-track destinations for your vacation in Chania.

Imbros Gorge

54km from the hotel

It’s the second most popular gorge in Crete for hiking and trekking after the gorge of Samaria. Imbros gorge is easily accessible, and hiking there is quite easier than in Samaria, with a total walking distance of 8 kilometers that takes approximately 2.5 hours.

Topolia Gorge

45km from the hotel

Home to an abundance of rare and exotic endemic flora and fauna, the Topolia Gorge is ideal for a fascinating day trip for those who want to experience the raw nature of Crete, just a short drive away from the city center of Chania. Near the gorge, you’ll find the picturesque villages of Strovles and Topolia for an enjoyable stroll in a magnificent rural setting.

Balos Beach

53km from the hotel

Balos beach or Balos lagoon is one of the most breathtaking natural sceneries in Crete, being internationally famous for its extraordinary landscape, wild natural beauty, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and pristine sands that invite travelers to spend a day in paradise.

Falassarna Beach

59km from the hotel

Located only a few kilometers away from the city of Chania and right below the ruins of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Falassarna, this beach is an exceptional choice for those looking to combine a laid-back day at an exotic beach with archaeological sightseeing.

Elafonissi Beach

73km from the hotel

Elafonissi is a magnificent exotic island located just across the southwestern coast of Crete, so close that you can actually walk to get there, if the weather allows it. It’s a protected area that has gained international fame due to its extraordinary, pristine pink sands.

Kournas Lake

43km from the hotel

Kournas Lake is one of the biggest lakes on the island of Crete, and it is truly a sight to behold, especially for travelers that appreciate unspoiled nature and raw landscapes. Nearby, the village Kournas presents a great opportunity for rest and a taste of the authentic rural Cretan cuisine.

Loutro Village

94km from the hotel

Close to the exit of the gorge of Samaria, the famous seaside village of Loutro takes its name after the Greek word for ‘’bath’’ due to the multiple ancient baths located in the area. It’s a magnificent place with views of a tiny bay with aquamarine waters, set against the backdrop of the tall, harsh mountains above.

Botanical Park

18km from the hotel

Literally built on the ashes of a destructive fire, the Botanical Park of Crete spans an astonishing 20 acres and is home to exotic fruit trees, herbs, and flowers from all over the world, in what has now become a paradise on earth for hundreds of plants and animals.

Roman Catholic Church

220m from the hotel

The Roman Catholic Church in Chania is just a few meters away from Arkadi Hotel. It is in the town center, at Halidon Street 46, the road that leads from 1866 Square down to the Venetian harbor and it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Roman Catholic Church was inaugurated on April 25, 1879 and is in continuous operation until today as the cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Crete.

Archaeological Museum of Chania

250m from the hotel

The Archaeological Museum of Chania is a definite must for all history buffs and culture enthusiasts who want to take a deeper look at the local culture and understand the island’s past. Established in 1962 and housed in the former Venetian monastery of Saint Francis, the museum boasts an incredible collection of exhibits that date all the way back to the Neolithic period.

Maritime Museum of Crete

650m from the hotel

Located in Chania, the fascinating Maritime Museum of Crete narrates the island’s millennia-old relationship with the sea, through the Minoan, Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods, giving visitors the chance to understand better how the region’s maritime culture shaped life through the ages.

Trimartiri, Chania’s Cathedral Church

300m from the hotel

The 19th-century Cathedral of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or simply “Trimartiri” as locals call it, is located in the heart of the Old Town of Chania. Repurposed to serve as a soap factory during Ottoman rule, the building still bears signs of both cultures, giving visitors an insightful look into the city’s past.

Chrysopigi Monastery

3km from the hotel

Just a few minutes away from the city center of Chania, the 16th-century Chrysopigi Monastery is still inhabited by nuns who farm the lands that surround it using viable organic methods, while they also offer environmental education programs to raise ecological awareness.

Gonia Monasteri

25m from the hotel

Gonia Monastery was built by Zealot monks in the 9th century on a hilltop with fascinating sea views, while it was originally dedicated to Saint George. It boasts both a mesmerizing location and an unmistakable Venetian architecture style, which make it one of the most impressive monasteries in Crete.

Gouverneto Monastery

20m from the hotel

Dating back to 1537, Gouverneto Monastery is arguably one of the oldest monasteries in Crete, housed in a Venetian fortress that features tall towers and baroque elements. Due to its strategic location, the monastery was used as a guardhouse by the Germans during WWII.

Katholiko Monasteri

20km from the hotel

The ruins of Katholiko Monastery are located between the Gouverneto Monastery and the charmingly serene Katholiko beach on the Akrotiri Peninsula. Built in the 11th century by St. John the Hermit, it is considered one of the oldest monasteries in Crete. 

Etz Hayyim Synagogue

350m from the hotel

Etz Hayyim (Hebrew for ‘Tree of Life’) is the only synagogue today in Crete having been revived almost 50 years after the Nazi German deportation of the island’s Jewish community in June 1944 during the Second World War. As such, Etz Hayyim is the only testament to a rich Cretan Jewish heritage that lasted for over 2000 years throughout the periods of Roman, Byzantine, Andalusian Arab, Venetian and Ottoman control of the island and which almost came to an abrupt end in 1944 during the German Occupation.

Municipality Art Gallery

80m from the hotel

Though often overlooked, the Municipal Art Gallery of Chania is the ideal place to get acquainted with local Greek art and witness the works of famous local artists. The gallery is home to numerous artworks made by Greek creators, ranging from 18th-century paintings to contemporary sculptures.

For more info, visit: https://pinakothiki-chania.gr/

Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection of Chania

750m from the hotel

Housed in the 15th-century church of the monastery of San Salvatore in Chania, the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection features an amalgam of exhibits that originated from 13th-century excavations on the island, donations, and private collections that narrate the city’s story during the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine period.

Typography Museum

7km from the hotel

The Typography Museum of Chania is the first of its kind in Greece and perhaps the most impressive one. Founded by collector Yannis Garedakis, the museum houses machines, equipment, tools, and other kinds of exhibits that demonstrate the progress of European typography in the past centuries.

For more info visit: http://www.typography-museum.gr/

Agia Triada Monastery

17km from the hotel

Located on the Akrotiri Peninsula, Agia Triada is one of the most impressive monasteries on the island. It features a very distinctive facade with elegant double columns of Ionian and Corinthian style blended with subtle elements of Renaissance architecture. Its entrance bears an inscription in Greek dated back to 1631.

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery

70km from the hotel

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery is located on the southwest coast of Crete and overlooks the Libyan Sea from a beautiful, imposing hilltop. It was built in the 17th century and took its name after the steps leading up to its entrance, which were believed to be seen as golden only by truly devout Christians.

Ioannou Prodromou Monastery

9km from the hotel

Eleftherios Venizelos Museum

2km from the hotel