Activities in the local area

Outdoor activities and sports
The Chania area of western Crete offers an array of different outdoor sporting activities for the more energetic visitors to the island.

Walking and hiking
This is the most popular activity in Crete. The island offers the perfect environment for hiking as it has a vast network of paths and tracks and there are villages offering accommodation within close walking distance of each other. Crete is a great place to explore by walking. The Cretans are friendly and generous and will welcome you in their villages. Accommodation is usually easy to find should you wish to stay overnight although pre-booking is advisable in August.

Sailing
There are many sailing boats in the old harbour in Chania which can be chartered for the day. The islands of Theorodou and Lazaretta are popular destinations and accessible only by boat. The water around these islands is perfect for swimming and
scuba diving. The island of Theorodou is also home to the protected Kri Kri goats so remember to take you binoculars. For amazing sailing, we suggest you visit the website www.notos-sailing.com .

Windsurfing
This is rare in the Chania area although some windsurfing and kite surfing can be found in Elafonisi and Falasarna on the far western coast of the island.

Water-skiing
Water-skiing facilities can be found in some of the larger resorts to the west of Chania such as Agia Marina and in Platanias.

Scuba diving
There are a few companies offering scuba diving in and near to Chania such as ‘The Blue Adventures diving Centre’ and ‘The Chania Diving Centre’.

Horse-riding
There are a few horse riding facilities in West Crete most nototably in Georgiopolis to the east of Chania and in and in Maleme to the West.