Discover Private Tours in Chania with a Professional Guide

Are you searching for private tours in Chania with a licensed, professional guide? Meet Apostolis Panigirakis, founder and CEO of Proper Cretan Guide, your go-to local expert for immersive, off-the-beaten‑path experiences in Chania and Crete.

Are you visiting Crete and looking for the best walking tour in Chania with a licensed local guide? Experience the beauty, history, and hidden gems of this ancient Venetian port city with Proper Cretan Guide, a trusted travel agency led by expert historian and certified tour guide Apostolis Panigirakis.

Why Choose a Walking Tour in Chania?

A walking tour of Chania Old Town is the best way to connect with the city's soul. Wander through narrow alleys, explore Venetian architecture, Ottoman relics, and the Jewish quarter, all while learning from a professional guide who was born and raised in Chania.

Whether you're a history lover, foodie, or first-time visitor, Chania’s mix of cultures and stories is best experienced on foot—with a guide who brings it all to life.

What’s Included in This Chania Walking Tour?

✅ Licensed Tourist Guide (certified by the Greek Ministry of Tourism)
✅ Custom walking tour through Chania’s Old Town and Venetian Harbor
✅ Explore hidden alleys, historic churches, mosques, and artisan shops
✅ Learn about Minoan, Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman, and WWII history
✅ Flexible itinerary (2.5 to 4 hours) tailored to your interests
✅ Optional food tastings or café stops for local flavors
✅ Great for couples, families, solo travelers, and small groups
✅ All year round availability

Meet Your Guide: Apostolis Panigirakis

Apostolis is not just any tour guide—he holds a degree in History & Archaeology and a Master’s in Tourism & Business Management, making his tours both engaging and deeply informative.

As the founder of Proper Cretan Guide, Apostolis personally leads many of the walking tours, combining academic knowledge with a passion for storytelling and local culture.

He is licensed under the Greek Ministry of Tourism and has received glowing reviews for his friendly, insightful, and professional approach.

How to Book Your Chania Walking Tour

Planning a trip to Crete and craving an authentic taste of local culture? Join a Walking Food Tour in Chania City led by Proper Cretan Guide, a trusted travel agency run by licensed guide and local historian Apostolis Panigirakis.

Discover the flavors, history, and street life of Chania’s charming Old Town while enjoying hand-picked tastings, all guided by a local expert.

Why a Food Tour in Chania Is a Must

Chania is a culinary crossroads—where Cretan traditions meet Mediterranean influences. The best way to experience its soul is on a walking food tour through the Old Town, where every stop tells a story.

With a local guide who’s both a foodie and a historian, you won’t just eat—you’ll connect with the island’s culture, heritage, and real life behind the scenes.

What’s Included in the Chania Walking Food Tour?

An Insider’s Journey: Aptera with Apostolis Panigirakis

Meet Your Guide

Apostolis Panigirakis is a genuine Cretan local—born and raised—holding a degree in Contemporary History (BA & MSc in Tourism). With extensive experience guiding private tours around Chania and Crete, his passion for history and deep-rooted knowledge of archaeology make him a standout guide for exploring ancient Aptera.

The Setting

Perched on a plateau roughly 150–200 m above Souda Bay, about 13–15 km east of Chania, Aptera offers sweeping views of the White Mountains and the sea beyond. From Minoan roots through Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras, the city thrived until its decline following a 7th-century earthquake

Highlights of the Tour to Aptera Archaeological Site

Fortification Walls
Walk along nearly 4 km of Hellenistic-era fortifications—a testament to Aptera’s power as a major commercial hub.

Roman Aqueducts & Cisterns
Explore expansive arched cisterns that once served public and private baths, hidden behind the chapel of Agios Ioannis the Theologian.

Parliamentary Chamber & Temple
Discover a triple-arched arcade linked to the city's ancient administrative building and an intriguing two-room sanctuary dating back to the 5th–4th century BC.

Limestone Theater
A restored ancient theater that once hosted civic gatherings offers a scenic setting at the southeastern entrance of the site.

Roman-style Villa & Necropolis
Stroll through the peristyle courtyard of an elite Roman home and visit the surrounding necropolis with tombs from multiple eras.

Byzantine Monastery & Ottoman Fortresses
Enter the partially restored Monastery of St John the Theologian, built with stones from the ancient city, and view the nearby Ottoman fortresses—Koules (Palaiokastro) and Itzedin built in the 19th century.

With Apostolis Panigirakis as your guide, the Aptera archaeological site transforms from a collection of ruins into a layered tale of myth, empire, religion, and resilience. His combined expertise as a historian, local, and licensed guide ensures your visit is not just educational—it’s deeply immersive, tailored, and memorable.

If you'd like, I can help you craft a sample booking note, suggest travel gear, or recommend a taverna afterward. Just say the word!

World War II left an indelible mark on the island of Crete and Greece as a whole, shaping the history and memories of countless families across the globe. Among the most poignant chapters is the Battle of Crete, a fierce and pivotal conflict involving Allied forces—especially the ANZAC troops from Australia and New Zealand—and Axis powers. For history enthusiasts, veterans’ families, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this dramatic period, there is no better way to connect with the past than through an expertly guided tour.

Every year millions of travellers type “is it safe to hire a private tour guide” into Google before confirming a booking. The worry is understandable: you meet a stranger in an unfamiliar country, sometimes hand over money, and follow them off the beaten path. Yet a private guide is one of the best ways to see a destination authentically. This guide answers the safety question in detail and explains how to book with confidence—especially when you use a verification-focused platform like GuidesFinder.

Type “how to find a local tour guide” into Google and you’ll get millions of hits, but only a handful walk you through the journey from first idea to actually meeting someone on the ground. Demand for authentic, on‑the‑ground experiences has never been higher: recent industry studies rank the range and quality of local activities—guided tours included—just behind safety and cost when travellers choose where to go. Surveys also show that nearly two‑thirds of holiday‑makers rely on local experts when planning an itinerary.

In short, travellers are actively looking for local specialists—and guides are ready to welcome them. This guide shows exactly how to connect the dots.

Photo by Diego F. Parra

When it comes to Croatia, a whole range of very pleasant associations comes to mind. For some, it is the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, others are impressed by its centuries-old sights, and some cannot forget the taste of truffles, pršrut and local wine.

Come with us and let's try to figure out together why this truly wonderful land is so popular among tourists from all over the world, leaving such a rich aftertaste for its guests.

Photo by Valentin Antonucci

Mass tours are gradually becoming a thing of the past, giving way to exclusive tourism arrangements. It can now be confidently said that the most interesting and unusual tours are organized by local travel guides. This is due to their high mobility and flexibility, as well as their willingness to tailor the itinerary to their clients' interests. A colorful story about a place of interest, told by a local guide who is truly passionate about his/her work, is a once in a lifetime experience worth having.

C’est l’histoire merveilleuse de David Alleno, gardien d’origine italienne du très chic cimetière de la Recoleta à Buenos aires. Nous sommes en 1881, Davil Alleno commence à 16 ans a travaillé dans ce cimetière, il est chargé de l’entretien et des différents travaux de maintenance. Le jeune David est passionné par son travail et son rêve est d’avoir son propre caveau dans ce cimetière. Il faut savoir que le cimetière de la Recoleta est exclusivement dédié à la bourgeoisie locale car le prix des parcelles est très élevé. David n’est pas découragé, au contraire il se met à economiser sous après sous, peso après peso, se privant même de manger.