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Driving in Chania

Driving in Chania - yes, to see Crete it is better to hire a car. It is a large island 260 x 60 km and there is so much to see, especially the wonderful beaches, which are some distance apart, and the hillside villages, back roads, nature trails, mountains and gorges.

If you have only a few days in Crete, you will benefit from hiring a vehicle and exploring the region of Chania in the west.

We are confident that you will be looked after by the team at Car Rental Centre Crete. You can have a vehicle ready for you at Chania Airport. It is a very good service by a local team, with hybrid vehicles available, a large variety of other vehicles to choose from, easy online booking, no hidden insurance costs as everything is quoted up-front, and personalised service.

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Exploring Chania by Car

The region of Chania in the west of Crete has some of the most diverse scenery and culture of Greece, brimming with new discoveries. The beaches on the north and south coasts are separated by a large mountain range - named The White Mountains - in the centre of the island. The capital of the region is the fascinating Venetian town of Chania.

In the White Mountains is the famous Gorge of Samaria in the Samaria National Park. This gorge walk is one of the most popular on the island, it is a one-way 16 km hike, not for the faint-hearted. A shorter hike can be taken in Agia Irini Gorge.

Shown below are highlights of your car touring.

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Driving in Chania
Accommodation Ideal with a Car

Driving in Chania - villa and cottage accommodation at the beach or in the countryside is much easier with a car in Crete. Here we suggest some relaxing accommodation which is best visited with a car for complete privacy and flexibility, with distances from the airport:

• For a charming rural experience nearby to the airport, is Irida's House just 6 km from the airport, away from town, on the Acrotiri peninsula
• Heaven is Zeus' Thunderbolt villa - 90 km from the airport, day trips to Falasarna and Elafonisi beach are easy from this location
  
• Christo's Place - a beautiful holiday home (pictured below) overlooking the sea. Find yourself in the hills inland from Palaiochora, 100 km
  

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Beaches

Driving in Chania - the northern and southern coast, as well as the western coast of Chania all have great beaches. Make a simple choice to stay within the walls of the Old Town of Chania, and use your car for day trips to the beach. Below we show you some of the best, with return distances from Chania town:

• Souda Bay, 38 km
  
• Agia Marina Beach, 20 km
  
• Maleme Beach, 36 km
  
• Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Islet, 104 km
  
• Falasarna Beach, 104 km
  
• Elafonisi Beach, 144 km
  
• Palaiochora Beaches, 142 km
• Plaka Beach Chania, 29 km
  
• Georgioupolis Beach, 86 km
  
  

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Chania Car Rental - Villages

Driving in Chania - it is in the small villages of Chania that the real character of the island can be found. Take your car along small back roads to discover the following villages, here we note return distances from Chania town:

• Kaliviani, 44 km
  
• Theriso, 32 km
  
• Chora Sfakion, 146 km
  
• Georgioupolis, 86 km
  

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Mountains, Gorges and Nature

Driving in Chania - visit the beautiful natural mountainous areas of the region with your own private vehicle. Four wheel drive vehicles are not essential, unless you want to go 'off road', which is not advisable in these high mountain areas. Stick to the road. Keep yourself safe and respect the ecology of the mountains.

Here are distances for the return day drive from Chania town:

• Topolia Gorge, 90 km
  
• The White Mountains,  210 km
  
• Agia Irini Gorge, 92 km
  
• Omalos Plateau, 76 km
  
• Askifou Plateau, 106 km
  
• The region of Sfakia, 144 km
  
  

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Towns

Driving in Chania - visit the exciting and cosmopolitan towns of western Crete with your hire car

• Palaiochora - in the south-west
  
• Kastelli-Kissamos - in the north-west
  
• Chania Old Town - on the north coast
  
• Rethymnon Old Town - on the northern central coast
  

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Tips for Hiring a Car

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A 2 Day Self-Drive Itinerary

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Route Guides by We Love Crete

Route Guides - our e-books give alternative routes in the west and east of the island. The guides are designed for self-driving by car or motorbike.

Getting to Chania

Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.

Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.

More on flights and ferries below.

Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.

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About the Team

Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
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