Chania, the former capital of Crete, is one of the oldest cities in Greece and a popular tourist destination. You can find loads of monuments and charming streets where the history of the city intertwines with the rhythm of modernity. Whether you dream of a holiday resort, with family or strangers or a place full of secrets to explore, Chania will serve you well either way. What should you see in Chania? What are its best tourist attractions? Let’s take a look!
Chania
Introduction
Chania is a small seaside city in Crete, a site called Kydonia by the Minoans. You’ll also find buildings from the Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman periods. If you’d like to fly to Chania, there’s a Chania airport nearby, about half an hour of travel from the city centre. The city’s a good base of operations for exploring the surrounding area or visiting some of the best beaches in Crete.
For getting around the city and its surroundings, you can use the local public transport operated by KTEL. You can find timetables and connections here.
Venetian Harbour
Chania’s historic quarter
Chania’s harbour is one of the most picturesque places in the whole of Crete. And it’s not just the port itself but the view from it as well – whether in the morning or by sunset, it’s one of the best viewpoints of the island. It’s a great spot for a stroll along the promenade, passing by the great many local restaurants and floating tavernas. Like walking through a postcard.
Chania Lighthouse
Chania’s seaside tower
The Chania lighthouse stood in its place for a long, long time. The version we can see today is from 1864, though this was merely an overhaul of the previous Venetian lighthouse. When the Ottoman Empire took over, the old lighthouse was neglected and eventually became a ruin. It was rebuilt not by Turks, however, but by Egyptians who sided with the Ottomans.
Thankfully, it has been restored again since and now proudly stands on the western coast of the island. It’s a beautiful spot for a romantic walk in the evening and, just like the rest of the harbour, a great viewpoint for the White Mountains and the sea.
Firkas Fortress
The most important fortification of Chania
The Firkas Fortress is a fortification from the 17th century, meaning another layer of remains from the Venetian period. It was a part of the efforts to protect the city from the Turkish invasion – of course, it was not enough. Today, the site houses the Maritime Museum of Crete where you can learn more about the Greek navy.
Church of Saint Nicholas
Historic church of Chania
The Church of Saint Nikolaos (Agios Nikolaos) is one of Chania’s most recognisable temples. It stood witness to much of the turbulent history of the city, dating back to the 14th century. In fact, the best proof for this is its two towers: one a Christian bell tower and another a minaret. It was originally a Catholic Cathedral built by the Dominicans. When the Ottomans took over, it became a mosque. Today, it’s a Greek Orthodox church. It’s located in the Splanzia Square, so you can hop into one of the many lovely cafes after your visit.
Market Hall
A shopping paradise in Chania
If you love the atmosphere of the Turkish bazaars, you’ll love the Agora in Chania too. It’s a massive covered market hall where the daily life of many of the locals takes place. You’ll hear lots of Cretan dialects all around you. At the stalls, you’ll find all that you’d expect – real Greek olive oil, delicious olives, aromatic herbs, cheeses and raki. There are also some souvenirs if you want to bring someone a gift. If you’d like to see what you can buy in Crete, check out our shopping guide!
Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque
The oldest mosque in Crete
The ‘Yali Mosque’ is located right in the harbour. It’s a distinctive rectangular mosque with a large dome on top surrounded by several smaller ones. It’s one of the oldest Turkish buildings in Chania, built soon after the conquest to honour Hasan Pasha in 1645. Today, the mosque no longer fulfils its original role – instead, it’s used for exhibitions and cultural events.
Greek National Football Museum
An unusual attraction in Chania
The Greek National Football Museum is not your typical ‘history type of thing’ monument. Instead, it’s effectively a tribute to the Greek football team and all of their fans. You’ll find it, quite an inconspicuous building, near the Market Hall, close to the Marco Polo Square. Frankly, you may mistake it for a souvenir shop at first.
Inside, you’ll find over a thousand football-related exhibits. Among the most interesting items are the jerseys of the Greek national team that won the European Championship title and those of famous footballers such as Ronaldo, Platini and Zidan. The real pride of the museum is a replica of the cup won by the Greeks in 2004.
Balos Lagoon
An attraction in the Chania area
Balos Lagoon is located in the north-western part of Crete, about 30 miles from Chania. You can get here either by car or by sea – cruises depart from the port of Kissamos. You’ve likely heard about the Balos Lagoon before, as it’s one of the most famous spots on Crete. And for a good reason – the scenery is absolutely magical: the slightly golden pink sand brushed by the shimmering turquoise sea with grey rocks for a backdrop. It’s a fantastic spot for relaxation.
Limnoupolis water park
Attractions in Chania for children
If you’re travelling with your children and you fear that all this history jazz will be incredibly boring for them, don’t fret, we’ve got something for them too. We recommend visiting the nearby Limnoupolis Water Park. It’s located just outside the city, at the foot of the White Mountains. It has plenty of water slides, a children’s pool with shallow water and one larger pool with sun loungers, umbrellas and a bar for when you want to relax while your partner takes care of the kids.
Be warned that the park opens mid-May and closes mid-September. As such, if you’re coming over for an out-of-season holiday, it may not be open. Tickets typically sit around €25 for adults and €18 for children for a whole day. You can find them on the official site of the park here.
Summary
What to see in Chania?
Much of Chania’s charm is in its views and the general atmosphere of a city which has seen a lot. Though it’s not the largest of cities with tons to do, at least one whole day seems justified for the city. You can also see a lot in the surrounding area, so you can totally get away with looking for accommodation in Chania.
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