Things to Do in Chania

The Firkas Fortress at the entrance to Chania harbor was built during the Venetian occupation of Crete between 1204 and 1669; it was originally used as a barracks and prison and has housed the island’s Maritime Museum since 1973.

Spread over two floors of the museum are 13 chronological displays starting with models of ships from Prehistoric times, passing through ancient navigational equipment, and ending with models of destroyers and landing craft from Greece’s modern-day naval fleet. Highlights along the way include plunder from ancient shipwrecks, such as amphorae and cooking utensils; reproductions of Minoan galleys; a Bronze Age trireme; and a model bridge from a World War II torpedo boat. A section is also given over to the German invasion of Crete in 1941, illustrated with photographs and personal testimonies.

There’s a small exhibition of shells showcasing the diversity of Mediterranean sea life and a well-stocked library of maritime books. A visit to the museum is easily combined with a walk around Chania’s Venetian Harbour or can be visited as part of an electric Trikke tour of its Old Town.

Perched on a 500-meter high plateau with a backdrop of hillside vineyards, ancient olive groves and the distant peak of Mt Ida, it’s easy to see why the Arkadi Monastery draws so many visitors. The unique building, with its blend of Renaissance and Greek style architecture, fairytale turrets and dramatic central bell tower, has the presence of a fortress rather than a church, and behind its attractive façade lies a long and bloody history. 

Built in 1587 on the site of a 13th-century Byzantine church, Arkadi Monastery is most famous for its role during the 1866 rebellion, when around 900 women, children and guerrilla fighters took refuge in the monastery and were held under siege by Turkish troops. Despite holding out for nine days, the monastery eventually fell to the Turks, but today, the monastery is treasured as a National Monument and an important reminder of the fight for Cretan independence.

Perching on the end of the breakwater, the Venetian Lighthouse is the most striking of all the buildings around Chania’s imperious Venetian Harbour, and was constructed around 1570 when the town was under control of the Republic of Venice. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and its spindly, butter-colored stone tower stretches up 69 feet (21 m) high. Last renovated in 2006, the tower was modified several times in the intervening centuries, gaining the mini-minaret above its light in 1839, when Ottoman Turks occupied Crete.

Although it’s no longer operational and closed to the public, the lighthouse is the landmark building in Chania and has an unusual three-part construction; its base has eight sides and its middle section has 16, while its upper reaches are circular. There’s an enjoyable stroll along the walls of the Venetian Harbour to admire its spectacular architecture and this is a romantic spot to linger when it’s illuminated after dark; better still, enjoy the view over an ouzo in one of Chania’s many harbour-side tavernas.

Chania’s spectacular Venetian Harbour is a symbol of the town’s rich and varied history, built between 1320 and 1356 when it was first under control of the Republic of Venice. Made of butter-colored stone and with its walls stretching for just under a mile (1.5 km), it provided sheltered waters and safe anchorage and was originally a thriving trading port with berthing room for up to 40 galleys. A breakwater was constructed to the north of the harbor to protect the ships from storm damage, and on this St Nicholas Chapel and bastion were built. During Venetian times condemned criminals were executed on this spot. The Firkas Fortress (now the Maritime Museum of Crete) at the entrance to the harbor was built with the dual purpose of safeguarding Chania from invasion and housing Venetian troops.

However the most striking of the edifices along the Venetian Harbour is the lighthouse (no public access), which dates from around 1570 and looms majestically skywards at the harbor entrance to this day. It is Chania’s most-photographed monument and was restored to its original splendor in the 1840s; the lighthouse is magical when illuminated at night.

Today, the Venetian Harbour offers mooring for local fishing boats and pleasure craft; in summer it is a romantic spot to stroll and then enjoy eating and drinking in the many harbor-side restaurants, tavernas and ouzo shops. Even in winter, it’s usually warm enough to sit outside in a café while sipping coffee and enjoying the Cretan sun.

Bridging the gap between the wild Gramvousa Peninsula and the idyllic Cape Tigani, Balos Beach is a startlingly blue lagoon, framed by jagged sea cliffs and pristine pink and white sand beaches. A pocket of paradise, Balos Beach is one of Crete’s most photographed natural beaches. 

The best way to experience the natural beauty of Balos Beach, is on a boat trip, which affords stunning views of the lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea. A typical  full-day tour begins at Rethymnon, Georgioupolis, Kolymbari, or Chania. Continue on  to discover the caves around Kissamos Bay, the beautiful beaches of Gramvousa Island, and Imeri Gramvousa fortress, before diving in to swim in the lagoon’s turquoise waters.

Balos Beach is located along the Gramvousa Peninsula on the northwest coast of Crete, around 35 miles (56 kilometers) from Chania and 11 miles (17 kilometers) from Kissamos. Daily ferries run from Kissamos port to Balos, but it’s also possible to arrive by 4WD, following a dirt road from Kaliviani along Cape Gramvousa.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Balos Beach, though the small beach can get crowded—especially in July and August. For peace and quiet, make an early start and arrive before the crowds descend upon the lagoon.

The Balos Lagoon is a Natura 2000 reserve, where monk seals and loggerhead sea turtles might be spotted.  It’s a prime spot for swimming and snorkeling, and scuba diving—another popular activity around the lagoon—includes the possibility of exploring the underwater wreckage of an English landing craft. 

Located on Crete’s northern coast and framed by a backdrop of looming mountains, the history port city of Chania is one of the island’s most picturesque destinations. Chania’s Old Town is its greatest draw, with its labyrinth of cobblestone lanes, scenic seafront promenade, and beautifully preserved Venetian, Turkish, and Jewish quarters. 

The best way to explore Chania Old Town is on foot; take a guided walking tour to admire the historic architecture and immerse yourself in local life. For a more personalized experience, opt for a small-group or private tour. Or, combine a sightseeing excursion with a food and wine tasting tour, and sample Mediterranean specialties such as mezedes (appetizers) and raki (a traditional drink). 

Chania is located on Crete’s northern coast, just west of Heraklion. A ferry runs daily between Chania and the Piraeus port in Athens. You can also travel by plane and arrive at Chania International Airport, located nine miles from the city center. 

Summer is the most popular time to visit, and the city can get crowded during this time. Visiting during low season means fewer crowds and the possibility of cheaper prices, but many attractions and restaurants close during the winter months. 

Bars and restaurants line the waterfront alongside attractions such as the bubble-shaped Mosque of Hassan Pasha and the Venetian Great Arsenal with its brightly painted replica Minoan boat, built for the Athens Olympics in 2004. The district is surrounded by remnants of old Venetian fortifications, and a maze of narrow streets stretch inland from the Venetian harbour, filled with handicraft shops, cafés, and historic holy sites such as the striking Etz Hayyim Synagogue. Nearby, 1821 Square (Platia 1821) is the main hub of Chania Old Town, home to the Greek Orthodox chapel of St Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos), as well as a number of bars and restaurants that spring to life in the evening hours. 

Tucked behind the façade of the former Venetian church of St Francis, Chania’s Archaeological Museum can be visited as part of an electric Trikke tour of its charming Old Town. Displays cover the periods from Neolithic and Minoan to late Roman times, and exhibit treasures found during excavations around the town and across western Crete.

The collections are elegantly displayed under the soaring vaulted ceiling of the church’s nave and include models of ships, clay seals, battered Classical statuary and a bust of Emperor Hadrian. Highlights are a bird-shaped Minoan drinking vessel dating from 3000-2300 BC; gold discs from a Neolithic burial site, thought to be from the 9th century BC; an almost-complete mosaic of Dionysos and Ariadne, which was uncovered during building work in Chania and dates from the 3rd century AD; and a charming clutch of carved animals. The Mitsotakis Collection, donated to the museum in 2000, is also on display and encompasses Minoan pottery and jewelry.

The Turkish Fountain in the courtyard outside the museum originally stood in Eleftherios Venizelos Square down by Chania’s Venetian harbour.