Chania Old City is the beating heart of Crete’s first capital city, a place shaped by Byzantine, Roman, Venetian, Egyptian and Turkish influences. Find postcard-perfect streets framed by quaint houses and monumental churches winding around a hill to a vibrant waterfront. Watch the world go by from street-side bars, shop for souvenirs, visit archaeological relics and relax on a sandy beach.
Begin with a walk around the 14th-century Venetian Port, designed as a commercial harbor and later incorporated into the city’s defenses. It features emblematic landmarks such as the Mosque of Kioutsouk Hassan and Venetian Shipyards. Experience the atmosphere from waterfront cafés and restaurants. Follow the waterfront up to the Venetian Firkas Fortress for exquisite views and to tour the Maritime Museum of Crete.
A maze of zigzagging lanes take you into the laid-back residential districts of the Old Town. See the remains of a Byzantine fortress at Kastelli and elements of Venetian and Ottoman architecture at the Church of Agios Nikolaos. Shop for Cretan cheeses, meats, fresh produce, spices and handicrafts at Chania Central Market. Purchase leather bags and shoes on Skirdlof Street and Cretan knives on Sifaka Street.
In the atmospheric Jewish Quarter, stop to browse jewelers and trinket shops and take breaks in pavement cafés and time-honored taverns. Look for the Etz Hayyim Synagogue and Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary. Housed in an old monastery, the Archaeological Museum of Chania has antiquities that date back to the Minoan civilization.
Make your way to the Koum Kapi area for swimming and seafront dining at Koum Kapi Beach. Open-air concerts and performing arts festivals take place at East Moat Theater. Escape the crowds and find respite from the sun at the tree-shaded Municipal Garden.
Get around Chania Old City on foot to visit its major attractions and stumble across hidden gems. Horse-drawn carriage rides depart from the harborside. Accommodations include hotels and guesthouses set inside beautifully restored Venetian houses.
