The most beautiful city on the island of Crete – but unfortunately not its present-day capital! On this excursion you will travel from Ammoudara to the west of Crete and visit the elegant Venetian city of Chania with its sophisticated harbour and bohemian architecture. The old town, the port, the ancient lighthouse… Also during this trip to the west, the more austere but also Venetian-inspired city of Rethymno awaits you. In addition to city walks, we will also visit a picturesque freshwater lake where you can not only take a nature walk, but also swim in its clear waters. Now let’s get to the details!
You will visit the following attractions on this tour:
First of all, this is a full day tour. We start early in the morning and drive to the western areas of our island, so during this bus trip you will see almost half of the northern coast of Crete before reaching the western regions.
All right, let’s go over our plan for getting to Chania. Located on the northwest coast, Chania is the second largest city in Crete, its former capital and now the capital of the region of the same name. Nowadays this city is divided into to parts: the modern city and the Old Town, which is adorned by a charming harbour and promenade. By the way, many locals and visitors alike claim that it’s the most picturesque town in Crete, so you’ll have a chance to see for yourself during your visit.
We’ll take you directly to the Old Town, where you’ll find a mix of Venetian fortresses, Turkish minarets and mosques, and a striking old lighthouse, all set against the backdrop of the sea. Here you will have plenty of free time to stroll through the pretty cobblestone streets lined with cozy cafes, traditional taverns and quaint shops that offer stunning views of the harbour with a lighthouse. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a traditional meal or pick up some wonderful souvenirs to remember your visit by.
Have you heard about the freshwater turtle lake in Crete? Yes, and we have turtles too! We’ll continue our journey with a stop at the stunning Kournas Lake. It is the only freshwater lake in Crete, located in a quiet and picturesque spot surrounded by lush green hills. In addition, it boasts a decent size: its perimeter extends for three kilometres! The peaceful ambiance and natural beauty of the lake provide the perfect opportunity to simply soak in the breathtaking views and unwind. It’s also a home to a variety of rare bird species, fish and Terrapin turtles. Some parts of the lake are now a protected area of natural beauty.
You’ll also find an organized sandy beach, boat rentals and some charming restaurants overlooking the lake. Here you will have about one and a half hours of free time. Whether you prefer leisurely strolls around the lake, dining with a view, taking a refreshing swim, or embarking on a catamaran adventure to explore the lake and its inhabitants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Another beautiful city to add to our list! Located on the northern coast of Crete, between Chania and Heraklion, the city of Rethymno serves as the capital of its region and is the third largest city on the island. As we approach the city on the highway on a hill overlooking the city, you’ll see the famous Venetian fortress Fortezza, built in the late 16th century. We’ll take you directly to the most beautiful part of the city – the Old Town of Rethymno, where you’ll have plenty of time to take in the beauty of this charming city… and compare it to the Old Town of Chania!
You’ll be fascinated by the myriad traces of Venetian and Ottoman pediods waiting to be discovered. Wander the narrow streets of the Old Town from the historic Piazza Rimondi to the iconic Loggia and harbor with its ancient lighthouse, or take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront, lined with bustling cafes and traditional taverns that offer a tranquil and inviting atmosphere and local cuisine.
During the bus ride, your guide will tell you about these cities and will direct you to the most interesting places in advance. You will have about an hour and a half in Rethymno and about two and a half hours in Chania.
If you want to go to the organized bus trip to the West of Crete from Ammoudara, the price of the trip in 2025 is:
This tour is sometimes included in special promotions and sold cheaper for our followers – keep an eye out for discounts on Facebook!
Are you traveling as a big family or a group? Contact us in advance or visit our offices and we will try to make you the best offer.
You are welcome! We will run this personalised tour in a suitable car or minivan for you on any day. No large groups, long pick-ups or waiting – just you, your family or friends and the guide! You can ask us in advance – and we will organise everything for you.
You can book an excursion to the Western Crete from Ammoudara online (see “How to book excursions in Crete”).
In 2025 the excursion to Western Crete with visits to the cities of Chania, Rethymno and Lake Kournas from Ammoudara takes place from 05/04 to 08/11. Available tour days – Wednesday and Saturday.
Please note that trip schedules are subject to change, including cancellation. This is extremely rare and may be due to weather conditions. For example, heavy rains at the beginning (April and May) or end of the season (September and October) and other force majeure situations. If there are any changes, we will try to let you know as soon as possible.
Please make sure that you have correctly identified your vacation area in Crete and read the cancellation and refund policy.
If there is less than 24 hours before the trip, please contact the manager to check availability before you make a booking!
Firstly, you can come to one of our offices where booking for all services is available and payment can be made either by cash or card.
Secondly, in case of online booking you can choose cash payment (which is available for some areas only) or you can pay online by card. In the case of cash, we will arrange a meeting with our courier in advance, who will bring the prepared documents to your hotel or villa and collect the cash. Please note that this option is only available for bookings made well in advance (days or weeks before the trip!). In case of online payment, you will receive the tickets by e-mail or WhatsApp – as you prefer.
Please keep all documents and tickets until the end of your trip!
It depends on the location of your hotel or villa. In some cases a tour bus will literally stop at the front door of the hotel and you just have to be there, in others it may be a short walk to the nearest pick-up point. This is usually a large central street, bus stop, square, car park, etc. – somewhere where there is no risk of the tour bus getting stuck on a narrow one-way street or stuck in traffic.
You will receive full details of the time and place of the pick-up with your travel documents when you make your booking. Please read it carefully before the trip.
You will enjoy an easy walk through the central parts of Chania and Rethymno, as well as a short (about 150 meters) and relatively steep descent from the bus to Kournas Lake.
Bring something to protect you from the sun, swimwear if you want to swim in the lake, money for lunch and souvenirs.
This trip starts early in the morning. You can order an early breakfast at your hotel or ask for a “lunch box” to be prepared.
You can have lunch in a traditional tavern of your choice: in Chania, Rethymno or on the shores of the lake of Kournas. Lunch is not included in the price and costs from 10-15 euro per person.
Yes, of course. This tour is led by highly experienced guides. During the bus ride your guide will give you all the information and you will have free time at each sight.
High enough. During the bus tour you will get a lot of information about the history of these places, architecture of the cities, legends, myths as well as the information about surrounding nature and lake.
Languages: English, German, French on any available day. On some days we can also organize excursions with Italian, Polish, Romanian and Russian speaking guides, so check the booking calendar or send us a request.
Please note that this is an approximate tour schedule. Times may vary depending on traffic and pick-up and drop-off locations. Exact times will be sent to you along with other information when you make your reservation and specify your hotel.
On some days, the order of the tour may change: for example, the first town will be Rethymno and the tour will end with a trip to Lake Kournas.
| Schedule of the excursion program | |
|---|---|
| 6:50 - 8:50 | Departure from the hotels |
| 11:30 - 14:00 | Arrival in Chania, walk around the city, free time |
| 14:40 - 16:00 | Arrival at lake Kournas, free time |
| 16:30 - 18:00 | Arrival in Rethymno, walk around the city, free time |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Return to the hotels |
| Duration and travel time | |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 hours | From hotels by bus to the city of Chania |
| 2 hours and 30 minutes | Walk around the city of Chania |
| 1 hour and 30 minutes | Walk around the city of Rethymno |
| 20 minutes | Transfer by bus from Chania to lake Kournas |
| up to 1 hour | At the Kurnas turtle lake |
| up to 3 hours | Transfer by bus to hotels |