With only about 65,000 inhabitants, this charming and engaging yet firm and forceful Cretan town is the pure essence of the Mediterranean multicultural fusion. Pack your bags and discover what to see in Chania and its surroundings with us!
A short introduction
Chania, also once known as Chania, is the second most important city on the island of Crete and probably one of the most beautiful in all of Greece. This town, which preserves the splendor and pride of an ancient capital, is poetry transformed into stone, with its Orthodox churches, mosques and Catholic temples. Like the entire Cretan territory, Chania has always been proud to have its own identity, the result of a peculiar history in which Hellenes, Byzantines, Italians and Ottomans succeeded one another. It will even seem much more Venetian than Greek when you discover its impressive harbor, built in the 14th century by those who came from Veneto. Pure magic.
What to see in Chania: all the key spots and a tip
To fully enjoy everything there is to see in Chania and the excursions that we have prepared for you, it is best to travel with total freedom and rent a car at the Chania's airport. It is only 20 kilometers from the city. Chania, due to its strategic location and its hotel and restaurant offering, is ideal as a 'base camp' to discover Crete at the wheel. However, a little tip: vehicles pull over to the side of the road so you can overtake, and we recommend you do the same (otherwise, you will be honked at)
The old town
Surrounding the port and framed by the ancient walls is the historic center. A set of narrow streets dotted with colorful and picturesque houses, with small craft stores on the first floor.
Enter one of the local taverns, whose tables are arranged under leafy roofs of grape leaves. Have a 'frappé' there (almost a religion in Greece) and start the day with a visit to the extremely interesting Maritime Museum of Crete. Behind it stands the imposing Firkas fort, built in 1629 to protect the docks, and a must-see in Chania.
The port, epicenter of Chania
The port is the jewel in the crown of Chania and became one of the most important in the Mediterranean, both commercially and militarily. The central hub of the city, today you will still find fishermen preparing their hooks amidst the hustle and bustle of charming restaurants with wonderful sea views.
The Venetian lighthouse (one of the oldest in the world and undoubtedly one of the must-see buildings in Chania) presides over the harbor with its overwhelming personality.
The sea wall follows it to the first 'seven shipyards', also Venetian, which have survived the passage of time with spectacular beauty. A must-see is the Khenizaros Mosque, the first Ottoman temple in Crete, which dates back to 1645.
Excursions: what to see in and around Chania
Combining the best of Crete (wonderful natural paradises and extraordinary historical sites), we have prepared for you an appetizing plate of the best things to see around Chania.
Paradisiacal beaches: Balos and Elafonisi
About 20 minutes from Chania is Balos, an incredible lagoon of warm turquoise blue waters and playful waves, whose beauty seems impossible to beat. When you contemplate how the blue and green tones of the sea merge in an eternal dance with the white of the sand, you will realize that Balos and all there is to see in Chania are absolutely fascinating experiences.
Also don't miss Elafonisi, one of the most beautiful and unique sandy beaches in the world, an hour and a half drive from Chania. Photographed a million times, this beach stands out for the pink color of its shore, which is due to the erosion of millions and millions of shells and corals. Its waters, incredibly transparent, are so shallow that you can walk to the islet about 50 meters away.
Heraklion and Knossos: history and archeology
Two hours to the east you will find Heraklion, the capital of the island, where you can breathe pure local life. Stroll through the old town and head to the pearl of Crete, the Archaeological Museum, where you can retrace 5,500 years of history among tombs, frescoes, mosaics, vessels and jewelry.
Above all, visit Knossos (six kilometers away), considered the archaeological site that best reflects the splendor of the Minoan civilization and let yourself be carried away by its amazing myths and legends.
Now that you've discovered what to see in Chania and its surroundings, set off on a tour of Crete and enjoy an unforgettable trip in maximum comfort!
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