Greece has many breathtaking places, from the majesty of the Acropolis to the grandeur of Mount Olympus. But some of the most exciting are the many islands in the Mediterranean Sea that belong to the country! Islands such as Paros, Santorini, Mykonos and Naxos! However, today I’ll be writing about Chania, Crete!
South of the Cyclades island group in the Aegaeon Sea, Crete is the southernmost and the largest island of Greece. It’s the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the most populated island of all of the Greek Islands. There are a lot of places to see on the island, but the one that I’ll focus on is Chania. Below you’ll find my favorite things to do in Chania. I’ve also added my picks for where to eat and where to stay in town!
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1. Exploring the captivating Old Town of Chania
Any trip to Chania starts in the Old Town area, which is the main shopping district of the city. It’s located near the Venetian Harbor area and consists of countless shops, tavernas, and hotels. The streets are a fun maze of people selling all sorts of Greek island souvenirs. Finding your way around is almost as much fun as the shopping experience!
Every taste can be accommodated to in the oldtown area, from fine jewelry to artisan crafts to local island fashion. Leather crafting is a tradition in the city, so be sure to check out some of the leather goods there! And take a stroll down Halidon Street (Chalidon Street), filled with places like Hansel and Gretel’s Candy Shop. Spend a day or two just getting lost in all that Chania has to offer!
2. Catch the Sea Breeze in the Old Harbor Area
This is where the past comes alive, with the area’s Venetian past showing in the waterfront area of Chania, also referred to as the Port Harbor area. The main attraction here is the iconic Venetian lighthouse, visible from almost anywhere in the port area. At the time I went there it was unfortunately blocked off with a fence, but normally you can walk to the lighthouse itself via a long skinny seawall. After the Venetians the area was taken over by the Ottoman Empire, which is responsible for another icon of the area, the Kioutsouk Hanan Mosque.
It’s always lively in the Old Harbor area, with waterfront cafes and tavernas lining the inlet and souvenir shops aplenty. At night the waterfront area is unbelievable…there was a party every single night I was there! People shooting spinning rubber band copters into the air that lit up and selling balloons and live music by a small water fountain in the area…it was something I’ll never forget!
3. Becoming one with nature in the Botanical Gardens
I had the opportunity to go to the Botanical Gardens of Crete, which are actually in the town of Chania (the gardens are for the entire island, however). Getting there can be very difficult if you are staying in the waterfront area of the city, as it is pretty far away and there is only 1 bus that goes there once a day in the morning and one bus back during the gardens’ operational times. I would recommend getting a taxi to the gardens (I had my hotel book one for me). But once you get there, it is worth it!
Expect to stay at least a few hours as you go through the many trails in the park, seeing all kind of flowers, fauna, and colors in nature you didn’t think were possible! One of the must-see spots is a solemn reminder of a fire in 2003; a burnt centennial olive tree. There’s also a restaurant there that uses local ingredients from the gardens itself, as well as a shop where you can purchase such products like honey, jam, oil and other ingredients from the garden. The botanical gardens are open everyday from March to November starting at 9am, and admission is 6 Euros (4 Euros for children 6-12, and free under 6 years old).
4. Embracing the historical past of Chania with the Folklore Museum
Imagine the way life used to be in Chania…actually you don’t have to, thanks to the Folklore Museum. It’s located right in the oldtown area next to the Catholic Church of Chania (entrance is in its yard). Climb the stairs and be ready to take a trip back in time! There’s a bunch of rooms that have dioramas set up, showing how things were back in the olden days of Chania.
I was greeted by a nice older lady who was running the museum at the time, and she had a small dog with her as well who roamed the museum’s hallways. This sweet lady is also a professional tapestry weaver and she sells her work at the museum. The place is not too big, but it is definitely worth exploring if you can! Entrance fee is only 2 Euros per person.
5. Take a trip into the 9D realm of Minoan’s World
Old meets new and the past meets the future at Minoan’s World, a “9D theater” in the downtown area of Chania. I didn’t know what to expect when I went there, but I was in for a treat! When you first go in there’s a room with some sculptures and wall paintings. These are interactive; showing various people from Minoan culture as well as a bull (there is the front half of a life-sized bull in sculpture form, with its back-half painted, showing how the ancient Minoan people entertained themselves with ‘bull-jumping’.
Some of the statues show women with their breasts exposed (as it was the way the Minoan women actually dressed), but the statues are not life-like enough to make it uncomfortable at all. At the end of this part of the experience they take your photos in different areas of the main room. The family running the attraction is very knowledgeable and helpful!
The main part of the experience involves going into the next room over, which has a “9D theater” in it (it is called this because of the interactivity of the theater seats and the movie)! The city of Chania is actually built where the ancient Minoan city of Kydonia was, so it is only fitting to see a show based upon the people who used to call Chania home before it was Chania there. The movie is 3D animated, with interactive seats and effects like snow and wind. Also there are headsets with different language settings you can listen to. The tickets are 14 Euros and can be purchased in advance through their website here.
6. Shop like a local at the Old Chania Market
Going by many names (the Municipal Market of Chania, the Agora, and Old Market of Chania), this market is actually housed inside of a building built back in 1913. Only a short distance from either the New Town area or Old Town area of Chania, this building has 4 halls inside it; each with an aisle lined with different kinds of goods for sale.
Here you can find local fishers selling their latest catch, butchers with the finest meat selections, spice shops with a wide variety of spices to make the tastiest of Greek dishes, hand-crafted souvenirs and even clothing to make you feel like a local. The prices were really fair when I was there, and I loved walking up and down the aisles, seeing everything everyone had to offer! I bought a few things myself, and I’m sure you’ll do the same when you go there!
7. Learn about Greek history at the Archaeological Museum
There are so many museums not only in Chania, but in Crete and Greece in general…but if you have to go to one in Chania, then check out the Archaeological Museum of Chania! Located on Chalidon Street/Halidon Street (same street as the Folklore Museum), it’s actually inside a former church, the Venetian Monastery of Saint Francis.
Inside the only hint of it being a former church is the ceiling with the tall arches. Outside of that, everything looks like a modern museum with lots of ancient Greek artifacts, ranging from pottery to helmets to statues. The museum is temporarily closed at the time of writing this but hopefully it will be open when you are ready to go to Chania!
8. Take a relaxing Horse Ride through Chania
This might come as a surprise to some, but Chania has horse-drawn carriages! While the animals are treated better than some animals in Greece (namely the donkeys of Santorini), the practice can still be seen as inhumane…so be sure to be comfortable with this before you take the ride. But if you do decide to do it, you will find the caretakers of the horses and operators of the tours down by the waterfront area (near the Kioutsouk Hanan Mosque).
They offer 3 different tours, ranging in price and duration. They have set routes that explore the waterfront area and the Old Town areas of Chania; moving at a relaxed pace (the horses are walking at a normal speed). The driver will point out various historical places and local attractions such as the Byzantine walls along the way; giving you a chance to snap some photos as you go along the tour route. You can purchase tickets directly from the operators at the waterfront at the time of your choosing.
9. Cruise in style on one of the Boat Trips in the harbor
If you are looking to escape the land and head out to sea, there are plenty of options waiting for you in Chania at the waterfront! Some of the boat tours are right at the waterfront near the tavernas and Venetian lighthouse, while others are down further by the boat docks along the pier. But you will have plenty of options to choose from, at all different price ranges and duration lengths!
One that is very popular with tourists is the Sea Adventures semi-submarine boat tour. The red colored half-sub shaped boat tours the harbor area near the lighthouse. Also there is Captain Nick’s, which claims to be the #1 Boat Trip in Chania as well. My favorite was the sunset boat trip which takes you to Lazareta island, where the boat driver would stop for a bit and talk about the history of the island. You can also go for a swim if you’d like. If anything, just go for the incredible sunset views of Chania and watch as the city comes to life after the sun sets. Prices will vary depending upon time of year and duration of tour, and can be purchased in advance or on-site.
10. Soak in the naval history with the Maritime Museum of Chania
Ironically there are actually 2 “Maritime Museum of Crete” locations in Chania; both of them located fairly close to each other. The smaller of the two is located down by the entrance to the long seawall leading to the Venetian lighthouse and is not as exciting as the other one. This smaller one does have an actual ship inside it though, one you can climb up and into and explore, however!
The larger of the two museums is located right across from the lighthouse, down by the inlet into the harbor itself. It is easy to spot with its red color and anchor outside of the building. Inside there are a few floors of maritime artifacts to see, including WWII materials, replica ship models, uniforms of sailors and soldiers, and lots of cases of maritime-related historical items!
Where to Eat:
- Namaste: This Indian-Punjabi cuisine restaurant has a 2nd floor outlook over Chalidon Street in the oldtown area of Chania. The food is really amazing (I can say from personal experience) and I highly recommend going here when in town! Located at Emmanouil Mpalantinou 2, Chania 731 00, Greece.
- Taverna Kavouras: An authentic Greek cuisine experience awaits here at this taverna! It has a patio that is right at the waterfront of the Old Harbor area and is best to see any time of day, but is really magical at sunset and night! I ate here as well and I 100% recommend them! They are located at Akti Tompazi 1, Chania 731 32, Greece.
- Tamam Restaurant: Originally a public bathhouse built around 1400 AC, this place is now a fantastic restaurant! You’ve got to go here if you want some excellent Turkish cuisine! It is located at 49 Zampeliou str Old Harbour, Chania 731 00, Greece.
If you are looking for a place to stay in Chania, I would recommend some of these fine hotels:
Where to Stay:
Luxury choices:
- Ambassadors Residence Boutique Hotel: This is a truly impressive 5-Star hotel in the Old Harbor area, with a view of the waterfront and a really high-class style to it! Located at M.Afentoulief 13 & Akti Tobazi 28, Chania 731 32, Greece.
- Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa: Meaning “Dolphin House” in English (from Italian), this hotel offers luxury suites as well as excellent hospitality! Located at Theofanous 9, Chania 731 31, Greece.
Mid-range choices:
- Hotel OFF: While this hotel may have an odd name, it’s name does not do it justice. It’s inside of a 13th Century Venetian building but has all of the modern amenities expected of a hotel. Located at Antoniou Gampa 32, Chania 731 31, Greece.
- Porto Del Colombo Traditional Boutique Hotel: The hotel is housed in a 650 year old building that was used by the Turkish military during the Ottoman’s rule. Located in the oldtown and near the old harbor, it features service that will leave you in awe with just how warm, friendly and personalized they can be! Located at Moschon 7, Chania 731 31, Greece.
Budget choices:
- Porto Antico: If you want a view on a budget, this hotel and apartment complex is for you! It has views of the lighthouse and Old Harbor area, all for low nightly rates! Located at Zampeliou 24, Chania 731 31, Greece.
- Boutique Hotel Del Doge: Located in the city center, this is an easy walk away from most areas in the waterfront and Old Town areas! It’s located specifically at Kondilaki 16, Chania 731 31, Greece.
No matter where you go in Chania, there is always something new to see and behold! I was there for about a week and I still felt like I missed so much! The city was really fun and inviting, and I can’t recommend going there enough! It is a long way from the entry port to Crete (Heraklion), but well worth visiting!
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