Chania Town

General information

Chania Town: The town of Chania is the second largest town of Crete and the capital of Chania munincipality. This beautiful historical settlement is located 60 km away from Rethymno and 145 km from Heraklion Town.

Chania is one of the oldest towns in Crete, with rich and long history. Famous for its preservable settlement with the remarkable monuments and houses from the Venetian times, this authentic town is considered quite lively and definitely picturesque for its mystical character and traditional beauty.

Chania consists of two settlements, the old and the new town which co-exist harmonically to this day. The modern town of Chania charms every visitor. It combines tradition with tourism and suits for all the holiday types. The friendly atmosphere and warm hospitality of Chania guarantee a unique holiday experience. Once there, do not miss the Halepa neighboorhood.

The Venetian port lies in the heart of the old town town. surrounded by picturesque alleys and streets creating an idyllic area and unique atmosphere. Well-preserved and restored mansions that adorn the ancient town of Chania have converted to Cretan taverns, local shops and restaurants. The old town has many quarters and squares to walk surrounded by ancient buildings and mosques which are worth admiring.

The aristocratic neighborhood is full of beautiful Venetian buildings worthseeing in Chania. Among them is a fortress called Firkas that stands at the southernmost point of Topanas, at the entrance of the harbour. It was built in 1629 and it houses the Naval Museum of Chania and a summer theatre.

The 16th century Venetian lighthouse is the landmark of Chania and lies at the extreme end of the pier. It is the first thing a visitor sees while reaching the port, one of the most important historical sites in Chania.

Chania offers many types of accommodations of various categories, numerous international restaurants and Greek traditional taverns, excellent pastry shops, traditional cafes, lively bars, clubs and pubs, all mostly located in the harbour area, cinemas, theatres and places for concerts and exhibitions, and plenty of cultural activities that take place in the beautiful town.

Hotels in Town

We have made a selection of the best hotels in Town.
Recommended by Greeka

Domus Renier Boutique

Luxury

Domus Renier Boutique Hotel is housed in one of the best-preserved historic buildings in the old town of Chania. Dating back to the Venetian Period, the hotel started as a mansion where many prominent persons have lived during the past. These days, it is fully renovated and its suites have a modern ...

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Recommended by Greeka

Madonna Del Mare

4 stars

The suites of Madonna del Mare stand next to the ruins of an old monastery in the area of the Old Harbour in Chania. They offer wonderful views of the surroundings and their relaxing atmosphere promises an amazing experience of modern luxury in an environment with beautiful architecture.

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Recommended by Greeka

Metohi Kindelis

 

Metohi Kindelis is a rural, secluded hotel offering three high-end, comfortable villas, private swimming pools, private gardens, a large fruit farm, fulfilling breakfast options, and a variety of massage and relaxation services.

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Things to See & Do in Town

Check out the things to see & do in Town during your stay and explore what the area has to offer.

Top Activities & Tours in Town

Experience once-in-a-lifetime moments by participating in well-organized tours related to Town.
  • Best Seller

    Tastes of Chania walking tour

    Category: Gastronomy, Walking

    Explore Chania Old Town Little Secrets and live as a local for a few hours in small groups. Taste traditional Cretan products, talk with local people and have the chance of Cretan wine tasting.

    4 - 4.5 hours Map
    from € 110.00
    Book now
  • Best Seller

    Olive oil and wine tasting at Anoskeli jeep adventure

    Category: Gastronomy, Island, Shore Excursions

    During the guided safari tour you will learn about life in Cretan villages, olives pick, olive oil production, Cretan wine, honey production, distillation of "raki" - "tsikoudia", and Cretan cuisine, culture, history and tradition. You will learn also about the "secret school", when Crete was under ...

    7-8hours Map
    from € 130.00
    Book now
  • Milia Mountain, wine and olive tasting jeep adventure

    Category: Gastronomy, Island, Shore Excursions

    Guided jeep safari tour during which, participants learn about life in Cretan village, olives pick, olive oil production, Cretan wine, honey production, distillation of “raki” - “tsikoudia”, and Cretan cuisine, culture, history and tradition.

    7-8hours Map
    from € 130.00
    Book now

Town Map

Explore our interactive map of Town.

Reviews

5/5.0
4 Reviews
  • demi55 11 Mar 2012
    Best memories from Chania
    A short visit in Chania some years ago left me with the best memories. The old town is so charming and romantic with historical elements and lively atmosphere. I think June and September is the best period if you want to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and the chilly days. In July and August it is way too hot for me in Greece. Chania is an interesting place with Venetian mansions and beautiful stone churches. I personally love Crete because people are warm and friendly and they always cater to the needs of tourists. I was quite lucky to stay at a friend's house, a beautiful old building in the middle of the town where we could enjoy many walks around. Without exaggerating, in Chania you will taste the most amazing food, in every delicious bite, homemade dishes and mezes. A bus from Chania Town will get you to many nice places in the region. We visited Rethymnon Town, also beautiful and picturesque, Kissamos and Paleochora. Also there are many nice beaches close to the town. In August, they get very windy, but in other months they are very enjoyable.
  • binst 14 Mar 2010
    Old charm from the past
    The first thing that comes to you when you arrive at Chania is its rich past, occupied as it was by Turks, Arabs and Venetians, all of who have left an incredible mark on this city. The Venetian Harbor, the old lighthouse, the narrow alleys lined with shops and the waterfront restaurants are so full of the old world charm that it is difficult to alienate Chania from its long history of occupation. I spent hours looking at knick knacks and local products in the numerous craft shops in the Old Town.

    We woke up in the morning and went directly to the Old Port to have a coffee and see the living of the people. It was October when we went to Chania so obviously we were not opting for the beaches, but for the local life and the beautiful nature of Crete. The Archaeological Museum was nice but exhibits should be better labelled. The Folklore Museum was also very interesting and we were happy to see a totally different culture from us before our eyes!!

    Rent a car for a couple of days and drive around Chania to the lonely beaches of October and the mountainous villages with the rural authentic life. On the way to the villages, we frequently saw kiosks selling traditional products, like honey, herbs, cheese and wine.
  • agelikoni 16 Oct 2009
    Delicious local drinks
    Chania town is probably the most beautiful town in Crete. Keeping all the Venetian culture and architecture, the buildings give a strange, forgotten and romantic feeling. The Old Town of Chaniais divided in many neighborhoods and districts, with many mansions, churches, squares, cafes and restaurants. Walking to the the port of Chania, the sea view is fantastic.

    The place is great by day and by night. During the day, there are many restaurants and tavernas with traditional Cretan food. If you have the opportunity to try raki, do not miss the chance! If it is not too hot, ask the waiter to get you hot raki. It is better than cold but it will warm you up, so be careful if it is August and the sun is burning. Cretans are famous for their drinks and for their hospitality.
  • rosaff24 08 Aug 2008
    Enjoy every corner
    Chania is the most picturesque town of Crete to me. You will find a lot of beauties there and many things to do. There are many beaches around to swim and many cafes at the seaside to relax. The best way to explore this lovely town is of course walking!! Go to the Arsenals and the war museum, take a photo of the impressive turkish hammams and see the sunset from the lighthouse, right on the edge of the port. Your eyes will be filled with new pictures and you will have nice moments to remember when you leave.

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