Heraklion:Day trip to Chania old Town,Kournas Lake& Rethymno

This day trip crosses western Crete from a Heraklion-coast base, stopping at Chania old town, Lake Kournas and Rethymno. Chania and Rethymno are the island’s two Venetian harbour cities, and Lake Kournas is the only freshwater lake in Crete. PLATANOS TOURS runs the 9-hour coach trip from €34 with hotel pick-up along the north coast, and it holds a 4.26 rating across 199 reviews.

What this day trip actually does

The coach runs west along the north coast, works back east, and returns. Three stops fill the day.

First is Chania, where the old city layers Minoan archaeology, Venetian fortifications, Turkish minarets and Ottoman neighbourhoods within a few streets. You see the dockyards, the fountains and squares, and the Venetian lighthouse at the harbour mouth, with time to eat at the port or browse the Agora market hall. Second is Lake Kournas, the island’s only freshwater lake, ringed by steep hills and holding eels, moorhens and terrapins, you can swim, hire a pedalo or walk the shore. Third is Rethymno, the third-largest town in Crete, where the alleys of the old town run up to the Venetian fortress and a Greek coffee at the old port is the usual way to end.

The tour is transport with commentary rather than a guided walk in each city. Reviewers describe exploring on their own at each stop, and several prefer it that way.

Places this tour visits

The route takes in three of the main destinations of western Crete.

• Chania, the longest stop is Chania, where the Venetian harbour and the covered Agora sit within a short walk of the coach park.
• Lake Kournas, the middle stop is Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake on the island and the one stop reviewers consistently want more time at.
• Rethymno, the last stop is Rethymno, whose old town packs Venetian, Ottoman and Greek monuments into a few hundred metres.
• Heraklion, pick-up covers the coast either side of Heraklion, from Agia Pelagia in the west to Malia in the east.

What’s included and what isn’t

The €34 covers the coach and the guide; the day out of it is yours to spend.

Included:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Malia, Stalis, Hersonissos, Anissaras, Analipsi, Gouves, Gournes, Heraklion, Ammoudara, Agia Pelagia, Lygaria and Fodele
• Professional multilingual guide, English, German and French on Tuesdays and Fridays, English and Polish on Thursdays
• Air-conditioned coach

Not included:

• Lunch

Why we recommend this experience

We recommend this trip as the efficient way to see the western half of Crete from an eastern base, and the honest framing is that it is a well-run coach day rather than a guided tour. If you are staying in Hersonissos or Malia without a car, the alternative is not seeing Chania at all, it is 140 kilometres each way, and at €34 this solves that.

The guiding earns real praise. Guides are named by reviewers from the UK, Germany, France and Lithuania, Olga and Rania both appear repeatedly, described as knowledgeable, friendly and giving explanations throughout the drive. One French reviewer called their guide very high quality. On a day that is largely coach time, that commentary is the product.

Reviewers also like the freedom at each stop. One Austrian guest put it plainly: it is basically transportation with no guided walk in the cities, and they preferred exploring on their own anyway.

Three things to weigh, because this trip scores 4.26 and the complaints are consistent.

The schedule is tight. GetYourGuide’s own review summary says travellers find it rushed and want more time at each stop, and the reviews agree on which stop suffers, Lake Kournas. Multiple guests said they wanted longer at the lake and would trade time at Rethymno for it. One reviewer wanted the opposite. Either way, 9 hours across three places means about 2 hours each.

The coach varies. Transport scores 4.2 out of 5, the weakest dimension, and one Polish reviewer reported the bus in poor condition inside with air conditioning that was practically not working. Another noted the road is very winding and recommended travel sickness tablets.

The language rota matters. The guide’s languages depend on the day, English, German and French on Tuesday and Friday, English and Polish on Thursday, and one German reviewer found their English-advertised tour being translated on the fly. Check the day you book.

CreteLocals insider tips

Pick your day by the language rota, wear shoes for the lake path, and decide in advance which stop you care about most.

1. Check which day you are booking, since the guide languages change between Tuesday, Friday and Thursday departures.
2. Wear proper shoes at Lake Kournas, because reaching the pedalos and the water means a hill down and back up again.
3. Take travel sickness tablets if you are prone, given reviewers describe the mountain road as very winding.
4. Eat at the Chania Agora rather than the harbour front, where the market hall taverns cost less than the waterfront tables.
5. Swim at Lake Kournas rather than photographing it, since it is the only freshwater swim available in Crete.
6. Head straight to the Rethymno old town alleys, as the stop is short and the fortress climb eats it.

What to know before you go

Give your hotel name and location when booking; the pick-up point and time arrive by email. The day runs 9 hours from pick-up to drop-off.

Lunch is not included, and both Chania and Rethymno have plenty of options. Bring swimwear if you intend to use Lake Kournas.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Chania, Kournas and Rethymno day trip?

The trip runs 9 hours from hotel pick-up to drop-off, covering three stops.

Is there a guided walking tour in each city?

No, this is transport with commentary. The guide talks on the coach, and you explore Chania and Rethymno on your own at each stop.

Can you swim in Lake Kournas?

Swimming is allowed at Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake in Crete, and pedalos are available to hire.

How much time do you get at each stop?

Roughly 2 hours per stop, which reviewers consistently describe as tight, particularly at Lake Kournas.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. You can eat at the Chania harbour or the Agora market hall during the longest stop.

What languages is the guide available in?

Languages depend on the day: English, German and French on Tuesdays and Fridays, English and Polish on Thursdays.

Check dates and prices for the Chania, Lake Kournas and Rethymno day trip.