8 ways to Experience Chania
The walks, the sights, the hills, the coastal promenades, the green corners, the best Cretan taverns, through 8 necessary stops in Chania.
Flowering bougainvillea, old wooden doors, and stone mansions await you in the alleys of the old town. The most recognizable lighthouse greets you from the edge of the Venetian port. Aromas from tradition pour from the bazaar of the Municipal Market and the smell of freshly baked seafood accompanies your every step on the beach.
Chania hides unique Cretan surprises in every step you take on the streets of the city, and we gather the nine most basic of these steps, to try, to explore, to experience the top experiences offered by the most hospitable port of Crete ». Here’s what not to miss:
Explore the Old Town
An island labyrinth, without a Minotaur but with picturesque taverns, cheerful residents to invite you for raki on their tables, shops that are drowned in tufted flowers, cobbled streets with mansions, Jewish and Muslim neighborhoods, and colorful corners are the charm of the Old Town. This is where the daily walk for breakfast and coffee starts, and where they end in the evening, for a snack or food and drinks with live Cretan music.
Admire the Venetian port with a cup of coffee
On the edge of the old town, nostalgic and cosmopolitan, the old Venetian port of Chania moves in tourist rhythms, but without losing its special color: Sit at the “Palace” for a coffee, pass by the charming “Arsenalia”, Giali Mosque and Koum Kapi, to reach the lighthouse, where you will pose and gaze at the opposite fortress Firka with the crimson building of the Maritime Museum at its edge.
Chania Old Town
Do the Necessary Sightseeing
Start right there: At the Maritime Museum, you will get to know the History of Crete as it is connected to the sea. At the other end of the old town, you will find the Church of St. Francis, which now houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania with great finds from the surrounding area. Treasures from the Byzantine years are hidden in the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection, while at 40 Tsouderon Street a special Museum for the Greek National Football Team has been set up.
In the Craft Park of Souda, you will find the only Museum of Typography in Greece while back in the Old Town you will take a walk in the local customs of daily life in the Folklore Museum of Chania. Finally, in the Venetian port, the last of the 17 new ones, the “Arsenali Center” is an impressive piece of architecture that now houses the Center for Mediterranean Architecture and hosts art exhibitions and events.
Take a trip back in time to the Municipal Market
A building-cross, in the standards of the market of Marseilles, hosts the covered municipal market of Chania, somewhere where Koum-Kapi ends and the modern city begins. Since 1913, the people of Chania and the visitors of the city shop there every day for the necessary spices, vegetables, and traditional products, or they rest in the cafes with a little tsikoudia.
Where to Dip your Toes
Based in Chania, you can organize your excursions to the most impressive beaches of Crete: The exotic Balos and the island of Gramvousa are located at the northwestern tip of the island, while Falassarna, Kedrodasos, and the turquoise Elafonissi on its west coast. All of them are at a distance of more than an hour and a half from the city center, while some extraordinary beaches are only a few minutes from Chania, such as Loutraki and Seitan Limania in Akrotiri.
Watch a film at the Open-Air Cinema in the Municipal Garden
On the outskirts of the modern city is the cool garden of Chania, a work of Rauf Pasha from the distant 1870, who “ordered” it to the standards of European parks. There, among the trees and the paths of the green oasis, you will find the municipal summer cinema, with the screen just below the imposing old clock of 1924, showing cinephile nostalgic movies.
Try mouthwatering desserts at “Koukouvaya”
“Climb” on the hill of Profitis Ilias, above Halepa in the area called Kounoupidiana. There is not only the monument for the two Venizelos Eleftherios, and Sophocles, in a garden that overlooks the bay, but also the famous café of Koukouvaya right next door, which serves the even more famous desserts, i.e. syrupy chocolate pie. Enjoy it on the balcony with coffee and stunning views across the city, up to the port. If you are not a fan of chocolate, try the fabulous lemon pie.
Tombs of Venizelos. Peninsula (“akrotiri”) of Chania Photo Credit: Tilemahos Efthimiadis
Walk to the Aristocratic Halepa
Starting from Koum-Kapi on the edge of the Old Town, which in the evenings is the number one choice for beers, cocktails, and pomegranate with rakes, follow the beach that with a quarter walk with soundtrack the waves and views of the fishermen of the area, will reach Halepa, the most aristocratic district of the city. The neoclassical buildings in its neighborhoods and the scent of charm that exudes is due to the period of the Cretan State when the consulates of the Great Powers settled here. Here is the house of Eleftherios Venizelos, the old French school, and many churches.
Elissos’ Best Chania Experiences
Explore the Traditional Aspects of Chania
You will start your day exploring the rich and turbulent Modern History of Crete. Focusing on the 20th Century and its emblematic figures of it. As a part of this exploration, you will visit the “Tombs of Venizelos Family”. It is located just a few kilometers to the east of Chania town. Eleutherios and Sofoklis Venizelos, charismatic politicians of Greece and father and son as well, are buried in this place. It offers a unique panoramic view of the Chania region. You will visit a traditional village and its Historic and Folk Arts Museum. The exhibits of the Museum are aged from the Roman to the Modern times. They include ancient coins, traditional everyday objects of the Cretan households, weapons, swords used by the Cretans during their liberation wars, and more.
Just a few kilometers to the east, another traditional village is waiting for you. There, you will explore the impressive Monastery of St. George Karydiou, dating back to the 16th century AD. You will have the chance to find out about the Monastery’s history, and its impressive construction. Furthermore, you will visit its olive oil factory, dating back a few centuries as well. You will also visit a modern olive oil factory. There, you will find out about olive oil production and experience olive oil tastings. On your way to Armeni village, where you will have lunch, you will pass by the beautiful village of Vrises. Vrises village is renowned for its Venetian Fountain.
Venetian & Ottoman Sites of Crete
This tour focuses on the Venetian and Ottoman Sites of Chania and Rethimno, West Crete. This is a historic tour, which takes you back to the 13th century and travels you all the way down to the 19th century. Your tour starting point could be Heraklion or Rethimnon areas. Your day will start with a detailed sightseeing walking tour in the old town of Rethimnon. You will first visit the Venetian fortress of Fortezza. Among the well-preserved monuments of the Venetian fortress are the deposits of Artillery, the Venetian armament, and the residence of the Advisers. Furthermore, you will visit the residence of the Retore, the Mosque of Ibraim Han, and the “Erofili” theatre.
After Rethimnon and on your way to the second biggest town of Crete, Chania. You will stop at the exquisite, historic Monastery of Arkadi. A 16th-century monument and a symbol of freedom and independence for the Cretan people.
Your full day of touring will proceed with a detailed walking tour in the old part of Chania. Concentrating on the several Venetian and Ottoman monuments of the town. Such as the Firkas Fortress, the Franciscan Monastery of San Salvador, and the Venetian church of Ag Rockos. Moreover, the Plateau of Venizelos, the Venitian Grand Arsenal, and the Venetian “Neoria”. Additionally, the Venetian Monastery of San Frangiskos, Gialli Tzamissi, and the Egyptian Lighthouse. Furthermore, the Turkish baths- Hamam, and the Ottoman district of Splanzia with the Minaret of “Igemonas”- Hiougkar Tzamisi. Your tour will sum up at the cruciform open-air fruit and leather market of the town, unique in Crete.
The last stop of the day will be the Chania Archaeology Museum. There you will find unique Minoan, early Greek, and Roman treasures housed and excavated in the west part of Crete.
Sailing Across the South Cretan Coast
This Experience will take you to the south of the Chania region. Being driven through the stunning landscapes of Chania countryside, you will reach the port of Chora Sfakion. From this picturesque and historic village, you will start your Sailing Cruise to the Libyan Sea. You will have the chance to sunbathe on board, enjoying the sun and the luxury of the sailing yacht. As a bonus, you will see stunning marine landscapes.
The yacht will be anchored by some of the most beautiful beaches of Crete located on the South Coast. Such as Agia Roumeli, Agios Pavlos, Loutro, and Sweet Waters beaches, as well as the impressive Marmara caves. During the stops, you will be able to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea. You will also be served onboard Cretan traditional snacks, fresh fruit, soft drinks and beverages, wine, and water. You will have a delicious lunch onboard. Your meal will be based on the local Mediterranean cuisine and recipes of Crete.