Quick answer
Chania is about 1h 30m from Paphos, with seasonal direct flights that usually run from spring to late October. A Venetian harbour, an atmospheric old town and some of Crete's best beaches make it a favourite short escape for west-coast residents. Two or three days is ideal.
- Direct flights from Paphos with Ryanair, seasonal (usually spring to late October)
- No direct flights from Larnaca
- Flight time is about 1h 30m
- Same time zone and currency (euro) as Cyprus
- Famous beaches such as Balos and Elafonissi make good day trips
- Flight time
- about 1h 30m
- Fly from
- Paphos
- Season
- Summer only
- Currency
- Euro
- Time
- Same time as Cyprus
- Airlines
- Ryanair (seasonal, usually spring to late October)
Chania is many people's favourite town on Crete. It has a Venetian harbour lined with cafés, a maze of old lanes with pastel houses, and the White Mountains rising behind. Some of the island's most photographed beaches are a day trip away. For expats in Paphos, it's one of the simplest summer weekends away: a short flight, no time change and a completely different view.
How do you get to Chania from Cyprus?
Direct flights to Chania go from Paphos only, with Ryanair. The route is seasonal and usually runs from spring to late October. The flight takes about 1h 30m. There are no direct flights from Larnaca. If you live on the east side of the island, consider flying to Heraklion and driving west instead. Summer weekends fill up, so book well ahead for the peak months. Routes and schedules change by season, so check with the airline before booking.
Chania airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula, east of town. KTEL buses link the airport with Chania's central bus station, a short walk from the old town. Taxis wait outside arrivals. A hire car from the airport makes sense if you plan to visit the beaches.
Is Chania good for a weekend?
Chania is ideal for couples, friends and anyone who loves old towns and good beaches. Families will find shallow, sandy beaches within reach too. It's compact enough to get to know in a weekend.
As flights run only in the warmer months, you'll be visiting in the right season anyway. May, June, September and October are the sweet spot, with warm seas and more space. July and August are hot and busy, especially in the old town and on the famous beaches.
What to do in Chania in a weekend
Day 1
Spend the morning getting lost in the old town. Explore Topanas, the old Venetian quarter, and Splantzia, the former Ottoman quarter with its leafy square and old churches. Then walk the length of the Venetian harbour, past the Mosque of the Janissaries, out to the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater. It's best at dusk, when the harbour lights come on. Have dinner in the backstreets, which are often quieter and better value than the waterfront.
Day 2
Take a beach day. Balos Lagoon, on the far north-west tip of Crete, is reached by boat from Kissamos or by a rough track and a walk. Elafonissi, in the south-west, is known for its pink-tinged sand and shallow water. Both are long days, so start early. For something closer, the beaches on the Akrotiri peninsula near the airport are an easy half-day.
If you have a third day
Walk the Samaria Gorge, one of the longest gorges in Europe. It's a full, demanding day and is open only in the warmer months. For something gentler, drive around Akrotiri to the Agia Triada monastery, then have a long lunch in a village.
Where to stay in Chania
- Old town (Topanas) – atmospheric and central, best for couples and first-timers.
- Splantzia – still in the old town but calmer, good for a quieter stay.
- Nea Chora – a beach neighbourhood a short walk west of the harbour, good for families.
- Agia Marina and Platanias – beach resorts west of town, for a more relaxed stay.
What to eat
- Boureki – a Chania speciality of baked courgette, potato and mizithra cheese.
- Dakos – barley rusk topped with tomato, cheese and olive oil.
- Kalitsounia – small Cretan cheese pies.
- Staka – a rich cream made from sheep's milk, served with eggs or bread.
- Gamopilafo – the rich "wedding pilaf" cooked in meat stock.
- Raki (tsikoudia) – the local spirit, often offered at the end of a meal.
Practical tips for travellers from Cyprus
- Currency: the euro, just as in Cyprus.
- Language: Greek. If you're learning Greek in Cyprus, Chania is a good place to practise, though you'll hear a Cretan accent. English is widely spoken.
- Time difference: none, it's the same time as Cyprus.
- Passport/ID: EU citizens can travel with a valid national ID card. Cyprus isn't in the Schengen Area yet, so there are passport or ID checks even on flights within the EU. Non-EU residents should bring their passport and check the entry rules for their nationality.
- Mobile roaming: EU roaming rules apply, so you can use your Cypriot plan as you would at home.
- Local tip: Greece drives on the right, unlike Cyprus. The road to Balos is unpaved, so check whether your hire car is insured for it.
For more short breaks, see our weekend getaways from Cyprus.
Plan your trip to Chania
Contains affiliate linksFrequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Cyprus to Chania?
About 1h 30m from Paphos. Ryanair flies the route seasonally, usually from spring to late October. There are no direct flights from Larnaca to Chania.
Is a weekend enough for Chania?
Yes. Two days lets you explore the old town and harbour and spend a day at the beach. With a third day you can add a longer beach trip or a gorge walk.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
Late spring and early autumn are ideal, with warm seas and fewer crowds than July and August. Flights from Paphos are seasonal, so plan within the summer schedule.
How do you get from Chania airport to the old town?
The airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula, east of town. KTEL buses link the airport with Chania's central bus station, near the old town, and taxis wait outside arrivals.
I live near Larnaca. Can I still get to Chania?
There are no direct flights from Larnaca to Chania. One option is to fly from Larnaca to Heraklion and drive west along the north coast, which takes a couple of hours.