Visit Chania: Some Must-See Attractions

 

1. The Old Venetian port and the lighthouse of Chania

You must begin your visit to Chania with a stroll along the Old Venetian Port, one of the most charming places in the city, which is also reserved for pedestrians.

You will find many inns with warm decoration and terraces by the water. An excellent place to stop for a drink and enjoy your holiday in Crete!

At the mouth of the Old Port, you can also admire one of the emblematic monuments of Chania: its lighthouse built by the Venetians in the 16th century (and rebuilt by the Egyptians in the 19th century).

Do not hesitate to take the path up to the lighthouse to get a beautiful view of the entire Old Port and its colourful buildings. 

 

2. The old town of Chania

The Old Town of Chania is organised around the Old Venetian port of Chania.

You will love walking through the small traditional alleys lined with cafes, souvenir shops, jewellery shops and stalls selling many leather objects.

The centre is very nice and very pleasant since no vehicles are allowed.

 

3. Fort Firkas / Chania Maritime Museum

At the end of the Venetian old port, just opposite the lighthouse, there is another unmissable monument in Chania: Fort Firkas.

You can enter the inner courtyard of this fortress, built by the Venetians in the 13th century to protect the city from pirates and Turkish invaders.

You can also enter the fortifications and strongholds that offer a beautiful view of the entire Old Port.

At the entrance of Fort Firkas, on the right, you can also visit the maritime museum of Chania (Entrance costs €3). Its collection includes ancient navigation instruments, maps and, above all, models of ships.

The museum is open every day except on Sundays from 9 am to 3.40 pm (October to April) or 5 pm (May to September).

You can also visit the official website of the museum (in English) for more information on current exhibits.

 

4. The covered market of Chania

Even though nothing beats a good meal in a Cretan inn, you can get a glimpse of all the typical flavours of the island by going to the covered market in Chania.

The place is not very big but it had several stalls offering spices, raki, olive oil, honey and especially lots of delicious cheeses.

Unfortunatelly the market is closed for maintenance purposes for now.

 

5. The religious monuments to see in Chania

On your tour in Chania, on the the narrow streets of the old town, you will find many religious buildings of different styles.

There are churches built by the Venetians, and also a mosque and minarets built during the Turkish occupation of Greece, when the Pasha had elected his residence in Chania.

A brief overview of the unmissable places with religious symbolism in Chania:

• The Kiutsouk Hasan mosque located on the Venetian port: a small mosque with pale pink domes built in 1645
• The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chania, a pretty church built in 1865 and located in a charming little square surrounded by cafés in the heart of the old town
• The Agios Nikolaos church, which has a bell tower and a minaret, inherited from the Turkish occupation
• The San Salvador Venetian Church, home to a collection of Byzantine jewels and icons
• The Etz Hayyim synagogue, the only one still standing in Crete
• The Ahmet Aga minaret located in the district of Splantzia (former Turkish district)
• The Venetian church of San Rocco built in the 17th century.

 

6. The Venetian arsenal

Another unmissable building on your walk along the port: the Venetian arsenal.

The arsenal and docks were formerly made up of 17 buildings used to store the ships of the Venetian Navy in winter but also as a building shed for the new ships.

The large arsenal has been renovated and transformed into a Mediterranean architecture centre. It hosts several exhibits and events throughout the year.

The other buildings at the Venetian docks are located a little further on the Old Port.

 

7. The Archaeological Museum of Chania

Among the museums to visit in Chania, you must visit the archaeological museum.

The museum used to be located in the old town in the monastery of Saint Francis, but was moved in 2020. It is now located at the exit from Chania on the road leading to the Akrotiri peninsula.

Here you can discover a collection of objects ranging from Neolithic to Roman times. Among these objects, you’ll find beautiful mosaics, pottery and jewellery.

Now you know where to go and what to do in Chania when it rains!

 

8. The beaches of Chania

Do you want to know the spots where you can swim in Chania?

Here is a list of the beaches closest to Chania (as they appear on your route):

• The Nea Chora beach, which is just outside of Chania. It is very busy as it is the closest beach to the centre and you can walk there, but it is far from being the prettiest beach since it’s just a narrow strip of sand and the cars circulate just behind it. There are restaurants and you can rent deckchairs.
• Hrisi Akti, a surfer’s paradise. If you want to tackle the waves, you can rent a board or take surf lessons! Beach bar and deckchair rental available. Free parking.
• Eastern Gulf, a small protected sandy cove bordered by pine forest. For me, it’s the prettiest beach around Chania! Free parking.
• Agii Apostoli / Iguana Beach that looks a lot like Eastern Gulf but a little bigger. You can take a short walk on the left side to admire the sunset. Free parking.

 

 

What are the things to do around Chania?

 

9. Akrotiri peninsula – Agia Triada Monastery – Seitan Limani Beach

If you have rented a car, you must visit the Akrotiri peninsula.

Located just 6 km East of the city, you can explore it and to discover the main places of interest.

During your tour, you should stop at (in order):

1) Stavros beach: this beautiful, sandy beach is located in a small, almost enclosed bay, sheltered from the wind, and very quiet. Anecdotally, several scenes from the movie “Zorba the Greek” were shot on this beach.

2) The Agia Triada monastery, which is one of the most famous tourist sites near Chania. The entrance costs €2.50, and you can explore its church, its well-developed and flowery gardens, its wine cellar and a small museum where you can take part in a tasting.

3) The Governto Monastery: closed from 12pm to 5pm

4) The Seitan Limani beach which is one of the most famous places around Chania. This small canyon with turquoise waters, bordered by high, rocky walls (very photogenic!) is accessible on foot by a narrow, steep dirt road. Bring a pair of sneakers because it is a bit dangerous.

5) Marathi beach: 2 sandy coves, with numerous deckchairs and parasols. 

6) The Loutraki beach, a small bay with turquoise waters, fine sands and a long strip of grass with several deckchairs and parasols in a tourist complex.

 

10. The Botanical Garden of Crete

About 15 km to the South of Chania, there’s another tourist attraction: Crete’s only botanical garden.

A 2.5 km (little steep) path, mostly shaded, will take you on a pleasant walk to admire the fruit trees, flowers and plants from all over the world.

The park is well equipped and well maintained. There is even a small lake and some animals (peacocks, donkeys, goats).

The entrance fee is €6 and you will even be offered a small bottle of water at the beginning of the journey, which is really nice.

 

11. The Samaria Gorge from Chania

If you want to go hiking around Chania, we recommend the Samaria Gorge.

The most famous hiking trail in Crete allows you to go down to the bottom of the gorge and then go along the river bed. You will go through the narrowest and most impressive passage in the Gorge, barely 3.50 metres wide, at the place called “The Iron Gates”.

 

Special Comments

If by chance, you arrive on the ferry at Souda at 5.30 or 6.00 in the morning, rush to the waiting bus or one of the taxis and have them take you to the bottom of Halidon street at the Venetian Harbour (well, you'll need to walk from the bus stop if it's by bus of course! Ask them to let you off as near Halidon as possible).

Turn left and walk along the waterfront and find, usually, there is one, an open cafe and sit with a coffee or whatever and watch the moon (if it's on cue) dissolve and the sunrise.

Source1, Source2