Chania City

Chania city: Welcome to the most elegant city in Greece!

According to
most Greeks, Chania city is the most beautiful city in Greece. It’s no
surprise that, year after year, Chania city is voted the No.1 destination in
Greece. After your visit to the city, we think you’ll most possibly agree!

Chania city
combines tradition and comfort, tourism and culture. It can suit different
kinds of people. You can chat, drink and dance all night long, in the city’s
impressive nightspots. Or, you can relax and escape from it all, strolling
around the elegant alleys of the Old Town.

For
thousands of years, Chania city has been a place where East meets West, and
different cultures co-exist harmonically. Minoans, ancient Greeks, Venetians,
Arabs, Saracen pirates, Ottoman Turks and modern Greeks have all left their
mark on the unique personality of the city.

During the
last thirty years, the development of the famous resorts of Platanias and Agia Marina just a few kilometres outside Chania city has made
Chania region one of the most visited in the Mediterranean.

The Old Town of Chania city

The Venetian Port is at the heart of Chania Old Town, the
historical centre of Chania city. Starting your walk from the west end of the
Venetian Port you come across Firkas fortress, wherein Greek rebels were
imprisoned during the Turkish occupation. Firkas houses the Naval Museum,
offering a great panoramic view of the Venetian Port. Near Firkas, and at the
opposite side, you can see the Old Sea Wall and the Arabian
Lighthouse.

Going east,
and at the other side of the Venetian Port, you find the Venetian “Neoria”
(dockyards). Today, these huge, stone buildings are being renovated and turned
into stylish exhibition centres.

The elegant
alleys of the Old Town of Chania city surround the Venetian Port. Here, you can
instantly sense the warm atmosphere and the famous Cretan hospitality. There
are fine taverns and restaurants, many of them housed in well-maintained
Venetian-era buildings. No matter which you choose, you’ll enjoy excellent
Cretan food, together with the famous traditional local drink, “tsikoudia”,
also called “raki”. You may also have the opportunity to listen to
traditional Cretan music, or even dance to the rhythm of “lyra”, Crete’s
traditional musical instrument.

Shopping in Chania city and the Old Market

In the Old Town, and especially around Chalidon and Zambeliou
streets you can find some of the best shopping places in Chania city. Our
recommendations are fine handmade jewellery, unique clothing and rare
decorative articles – most of them are sold at very competitive prices.

If, on the
other hand, you want something really exotic, try the Old Market. In
this large cross-like building, you can discover every kind of traditional
Cretan taste and lose yourself in the colours and aromas of different flavours
of honey, olive oil and eastern spices.

East of the Old Town of Chania city

Walking alongshore and east of the Venetian Port, you find yourself in Koum
Kapi district. In Turkish, “Kum Kapisi” means “Gate of Sand”. In the old
times, this was one of the most infamous areas of Chania city. Today, after
many waves of development, it bustles with life and music, due to its
fashionable bistros and cafes.

If you
continue your walk along the shore, you will soon arrive at the chic and
stylish area of Chalepa. Chalepa, lying on the hill, was the most
prestigious place in Chania city about a century ago, as rich families used to
build their summer houses here. Thus, in Chalepa you will see large, impressive
mansions, as well as the house of Eleftherios Venizelos.

Eleftherios
Venizelos was one of the most influential politician in modern Greek history.
This was the main reason that, in the early 20th century, when Venizelos was
the prominent political figure, Chalepa gathered all the consulates in its posh
surroundings.

Venizelos’
Grave, considered a historic site for Greeks, is situated some kilometres East
of Chalepa and towards the Akrotiri peninsula. Next to Eleftherios’ grave is
his son’s , Sofoklis, who also was a famous politician in his time. Apart from
its historic flavour, the spot presents arguably the best panoramic view of
Chania city and its surroundings.

Finally,
under the Chalepa district you can visit Tabakaria, the city’s old tan
houses. These large, stone buildings, although abandoned, come to life under
the charming light of the sunset, creating an idyllic scene that is hard to
forget.

Chania city sights info

Archaeological Museum:
Chalidon 25, Old Town, Chania city
Tel.: 0030 28210 90334
Open: 8:30 -15:00 (except Mondays)

Naval Museum
(Firkas fortress):
Akti Koundourioti, Venetian Port, Chania city
Tel.: 0030 28210 91875
Open: 9:00 -16:00 (1/4 -31/10), 9:00 -14:00 (1/11 -31/3)

Eleftherios
Venizelos House:
Helena Venizelou Square, Chalepa, Chania city
Tel.: 0030 28210 56008

Centre for
Mediterranean Architecture (Grand Arsenali):
Akti Tobazi 31, Venetian Port, Chania city
Tel.: 0030 28210 40101/40201

Kioutsouk
Hasan Mosque (Yali Tzami):
Venetian Port, Chania city
Tel.: 28210 87901

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