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Situated in Chania Town, 400 metres from Nea Chora Beach, Balance Hotel features accommodation with free bikes, free private parking, a shared lounge and a terrace. The property is close to Mitropoleos Square, Folklore Museum of Chania and Firkas Fortress. Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, the non-smoking hotel has a hot tub.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a balcony and a private bathroom with a shower. At Balance Hotel the rooms come with bed linen and towels.
Breakfast is available each morning, and includes continental, vegetarian and vegan options.
The area is popular for cycling, and car hire is available at the accommodation.
Popular points of interest near Balance Hotel include Kladissos Beach, Koum Kapi Beach and Municipal Art Gallery of Chania. The nearest airport is Chania International, 14 km from the hotel, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Find below list of things to do near Balance Hotel:
There is no better way to experience the real side of Crete, than to traverse the island’s unspoiled soil, swim in its crystal waters and stroll down its traditional villages.
This hiking tour of the Samaria Gorge will give you the opportunity to do all 3 and at your own pace.
Early in the morning, you will be picked up from designated spots around Chania via a luxurious bus and reach the starting point of your tour in Omalos Plateau around 7 am.
Shadowed by the adjacent White Mountains and with plenty of drinking water to be found along the way in many natural springs, this self-paced hike will create unique memories for every traveler. Behind your group, there will always be a hiking escort to ensure everyone’s safety and provide assistance if needed. At around 17:00 you will start your trip back to the place where you were picked up from.
Explore the beating heart of the city is the Old City of Chania along with the exceptional Venetian port. Observe the architecture of historical structures, built by various civilizations that lived in Chania over the centuries. Explore the picturesque alleys of the old town. You’ll encounter archaeological excavation sites that brought to light rich findings, even floor plans of whole establishments, showing that the city of Chania is developed on the site of an important ancient city named Cydonia. Cydonia was inhabited in all subsequent phases of history. It flourished and declined at times, met wars, pillages, and conquests. Its name paraphrased to Chania. Destroyed and rebuilt multiple times. The harbor was built by the Venetians during their colonization in Crete and specifically between 1320 and 1356. It was an important center, serving the Venetian military ships, as well as one of the most important commercial ports of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Ηistorical information is provided through the audio guide system for all the monuments. Photo opportunities and extra local tips from the tour leader!
Discover what lies below the surface of the water on an amazing 3-hour boat trip off the northwest coast of Crete. Benefit from pick-up at your hotel in Chania, and then journey by air-conditioned minivan to the resort town of Almyrida.
Avail of the services of experienced instructors who will give you a short theory lesson on arrival. Then, sail to secluded beaches that can only be reached by boat and swim with your provided high-quality professional equipment (masks, valve snorkels, fins, wetsuits or shorties, full face masks, and personal flotation aids)
Learn the names of all the fish with the help of a book as the crew takes photos and videos of your experience to send by email as a souvenir. Relax and enjoy the good company in the warm sun, and get fantastic views of the coastline.
During our tour on one of our stops, we will also offer you the amazing opportunity to experience Stand Up Paddling (SUP)!
Your SUP experience will start with a short demonstration of the paddling basics, we will then guide you on how to balance on the board, till you are comfortable enough to head to the crystal water for your first paddle tries!
This amazing activity, available for all ages, will fully elevate your fun adventure during the boat trip.
While onboard, our staff will offer you healthy snacks, fresh fruits, bottled water whenever you feel like you need refreshment.
(Optional Features)
Ready to take your snorkeling to the next level? If you wish, you have the option to experience the thrill of gliding effortlessly through the crystal-clear waters of Crete with our electric Yamaha Sea Scooters!
Snorkeling with sea scooters has become a burgeoning phenomenon worldwide. With the scooter, you will venture into a fun ride lasting 30 to 60 minutes (depending on speed and body weight).
You can even mount your GoPro on it for some stunning underwater footage!
Suitable for adults and adventurers aged 12 and up, our powerful sea scooters are designed for everyone willing to include them in a snorkeling expedition. Upgrade your experience and maximize fun!
Experience the Samaria Gorge and descend from the Omalos Plateau. Descend into the gorge, measuring 18 kilometers long, 4 by 150 meters wide, and up to 700 meters deep. The exploration will take from 4 to 6 hours.
Hike through the longest gorge in Europe and admire the beauty and diversity of nature. The smallest section of the gorge is only approximately 4 meters wide and the cliffs reach heights of 350 meters — enjoy this incredible sight. At midday, stop in the fishing village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea and relax in the taverns or take a dip in the crystal clear blue waters.
In the late afternoon, take a 1-hour boat tour from Agia Roumeli, past the mighty rocks of the south coast of Crete to Hora Sfakion. A bus will be waiting there to take you back to your accommodation.
Vist areas such as the Old city, Venetian Harbor, Nea Chora, Kum Kapi and Splantzia on this tour. Arrive at the office 15-20 minutes before your tour begins to be geared up with headsets and helmets, followed by a brief safety training from your tour leader and practice driving a Segway before you go, so that you can feel safe and relaxed. Then it’s time to enjoy your tour and have fun!
Discover all the historical information about the monuments we visit on the way in your chosen language. Enjoy having a personal guide that will take you around the Old City, showing you its secrets and providing you with insider tips.
In the days that follow your tour you will receive a link to download your tour photos. The tour ends back at the office.
Discover the exterior of the east Venetian walls, near the sandy beaches of the Kum Kapi area, which in the old days was a village of poor North African slaves. Throughout your Segway tour, historical information will be provided from your audio-guide system.
The Halepa area played an important role in the history of Crete, as the famous “Halepa Agreement” was signed on October 1878 between Ottomans and Cretans for the assignment of a limited autonomous regime in the island. You will also see traditional and beautiful buildings, as well as the Consulates of the Great Powers, the school of San Joseph (where nuns taught French and savoir vivre to the rich girls), the Palace (which was the house of the High Commissioner Prince George in 1898), and the Residence of the Prime Minister of Greece (Eleftherios Venizelos).
You will also see the elegant church of Aghia Magdalene, which was built by Prince George and dedicated to Mary Magdalene in commemoration of a visit of his sister Maria to Chania, the wife of the Grand Duke of Russia. Before your tour ends, you will be able to enjoy a small tasting in the district of Splantzia.
Find below list of beaches near Balance Hotel:
Nea Chora, a picturesque sandy beach, lies just a kilometer west of Chania city center along Akti Papanikoli Street, opposite the Lazaretta islet. A short 15-minute stroll from Chania’s old harbor, this beach boasts a well-maintained main area with several facilities at hand. While mostly sandy, Nea Chora also features rocky patches. It’s the perfect spot for those who prefer to stay nearby the city center. East of the beach, you can still spot the old soap factory’s towering chimney and the former sanatorium of Chania. Nea Chora is a favorite among locals for its seafood taverns, but there are also plenty of restaurants, snack bars, and cafes to choose from. Every summer, the beach hosts the “Sardine Festival”, complete with traditional music, dancing, and free fish for attendees.
Kladissos beach
Further along the river Kladisos, a second beach unfolds all the way up to Aptera beach. Kladisos beach is a lengthy sandy bay, interspersed with pebbly areas. Despite its proximity to Chania and its appealing beauty, the beach remains relatively secluded and unspoiled. The simplest way to access this beach is by crossing the Kladisos river via the pedestrian bridge.
Lazaretta islet, situated across Nea Chora, functioned as a leprosarium for the Venetians in the 17th century, similar to most islets in Crete’s cities. Its moniker is derived from Lazarus, whom the Roman Catholic Church recognizes as the lepers’ patron saint.
Historically, it has been identified as a burial site, presumably for patients, and the site still exhibits the remnants of buildings that the Turks demolished in 1645 to install a sizeable cannon to assist their siege of Chania’s stronghold at the harbour entrance. In certain areas, fragments of bombs dropped during the German military operations in World War II can still be observed.
The islet is home to a Saint Nicholas shrine, constructed by a local man in 1954. This man suffered a sunstroke on the island but was able to swim to Nea Chora and survive. The island features a small sandy beach, favored for snorkeling and often visited by local diving schools and seafaring tour boats. In the 1950s, long-distance competitive swimmers frequently selected Lazaretta as their starting point for races, with the inner harbour of Chania serving as the finish line.
Situated at the eastern edge of the scenic port of Chania, in front of the historical Bedouin district, is Kum Kapi Beach. This location was once inhabited by African economic migrants who lived in rush-made huts during the Ottoman period, having initially arrived on the island as slaves. Presently, the only visible structures are a long coastal street lined with cafes and nightclubs, with no huts in sight. The area derives its name from the Turkish phrase Kum Kapisi, translating to the Gate of Sand, which was a gate on the Venetian Walls adjacent to this sandy beach.
Kum Kapi Beach stretches for approximately 1km to the east beneath a pedestrian road. In previous years, the beach was a popular swimming spot in Chania, but the deteriorating quality of seawater led to swimming being banned. Recent developments in the biological cleaning infrastructure of Chania city have improved the water quality, making it safe for swimming according to the city’s Water Supply and Sewerage Authority. However, Kum Kapi Beach remains unorganized and is still not trusted by locals.
To the west, the ocean meets the road’s wall with no beach in between. On the east side, a strip of sandy beach is formed where most people swim. Further east, a beautiful cove is formed, although locals still avoid swimming there.
Kouloura Pond, Halepa
In the Halepa suburb of Chania, next to the Agia Kyriaki chapel and beach, you’ll find Kouloura – a small rocky pond. This spot is a favored “pool” amongst Halepa residents, each of whom has a unique tale to share about the place.
Situated 2.5km west of Chania city and just east of Agii Apostoli, you’ll find the glistening Golden Beach, or Hrissi Akti as it’s known in Greek. It’s essentially two sandy beaches separated by a rocky outcrop. The western cove is the primary Golden Beach, while the eastern one is the quieter Aptera beach. The west bay is the more popular of the two, boasting excellent facilities such as umbrellas, lifeguards, showers, cafes, water sports and more. Its fine golden sand and shallow waters are particularly appealing to families with young children, and there’s even a playground nearby.
Aptera beach, on the other side of the rocky divide, offers a more tranquil experience. It’s less developed and has the remnants of the Aptera Beach hotel which was abandoned in the late 90s due to financial difficulties. This beach is perfect for those looking for solitude and is conveniently close to Chania.
The entire Agii Apostoli area is dotted with small parks filled with pine and eucalyptus trees. Access to Golden Beach is easy, either by bus from Chania or by foot.
Find below list of gorges near Balance Hotel:
The Cyclamen Gorge, also known as Agios Georgios Gorge or Gorge Vandes, is nestled on the northern slopes of the White Mountains. Its starting point is the Aletrouvari settlement, situated at an altitude of 300m, and it extends east of Agios Georgios village, ultimately ending at the village of Vandes, which is at an elevation of 50m. The stream that runs through this gorge gathers water from the Drakona area, resulting in the formation of quaint, small ponds at certain spots.
However, this route is not recommended for novice hikers as it requires approximately 2 hours to traverse from Aletrouvari or about 1 hour from Agios Georgios. As visitors journey through this route, they will encounter a diverse landscape that changes along the river, all under the cool shade of towering plane trees and cypresses.
Positioned near the city of Chania, the Therisso Gorge (also known as Eleftherios Venizelos) is an awe-inspiring sight. This six-kilometre-long canyon is adorned with impressive vertical cliffs and lush greenery, rivalling any other gorge in the Chania region. Accessible by car, it’s worth combining a trip to the gorge with a visit to the historic village of Therisso, nestled at the foot of the White Mountains, just 15 kilometres from Chania. This village, steeped in history, offers an unforgettable experience to any visitor.
With a population of just over 100, the valiant village of Therisso has held a significant role in Crete’s modern history, mainly due to the resilience of its inhabitants against Turkish invasions. In 1866, the village was burnt by Mustapha Pasha Naili, forcing many, including the mother of future Greek Prime Minister, Eleftherios Venizelos, to relocate to Kythera and the Peloponnese. Therisso gained further historical prominence in 1905 when Eleftherios Venizelos and his allies initiated a revolution against the autocratic rule of Prince George, imposed by the Great Powers, charting a course for Crete’s union with Greece. Notably, the heroic Halides brothers, key figures in the 1821 revolution, also hailed from Therisso.
The Diktamos Canyon, nestled within the White Mountains, commences 21km to the east of Chania, near the Katochori village at an elevation of 300m. It concludes 8km further east, at the Faragi village, situated at a height of 40m and in close proximity to the Stylos village in the Apokoronas province. Consequently, it is also referred to as the Katechori Gorge or Stylos Gorge. The canyon’s stream serves as the primary tributary of the Kiliaris River, gathering water from the northern slopes of the Mavri peak and discharging it onto the Kalives beach.
Navigating through the canyon can be challenging, with certain areas requiring extra caution and approximately 3 hours to traverse. The canyon is a stunning, verdant landscape filled with towering trees and steep inclines, home to dittany or diktamos, a herb endemic to Crete. In Stylos, you have the opportunity to explore the ancient church of Apostle John (Agios Ioannis Theologos), refresh yourself at the local springs, and replenish your energy at the village’s taverns.
Situated close to the village of Meskla, 20 km away from Chania town and nestled at the foot of the White Mountains, you’ll find the impressive yet compact Sarakina Gorge (be careful not to mix it up with the other well-known Sarakina Gorge in East Crete, near Mythi in the Province of Ierapetra). The gorge takes its name from local lore that suggests Saracenes once used it as a hiding place. The gorge’s somewhat elusive location keeps it off the beaten track for many locals, maintaining its status as an untouched, natural spectacle.
Hidden within a deep ravine, Sarakina is bordered by towering cypress and plane trees. In an effort to make this natural gem more accessible, local authorities have developed walking trails throughout the gorge. Starting and ending in Meskla, next to the Church of the Panagia, where you find the parking space. The circular trail offers an hour’s worth of easy hiking. The journey commences with a ten-minute walk on a dirt road which then leads to a path alongside the river.
The trail is interspersed with wooden and stone staircases and metal walkways crossing the river. After the first segment, the landscape transforms drastically, transitioning from a gravel bed to solid limestone boulders. The resulting view is an awe-inspiring natural artwork as the rock appears split down the middle, carving out a breathtaking sculpture.
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