Chania, Greece: travel guide
A Venetian harbour town in western Crete, close to gorges and beaches
Crete's most picturesque town, built around a Venetian harbour and lighthouse, near Samaria Gorge and Balos.
About Chania
Chania is a town on the north-west coast of Crete, built around a Venetian harbour with a lighthouse at the end of the sea wall. The old town behind it is a tangle of lanes, Ottoman and Venetian buildings, small shops and waterfront tavernas.
Things to do in Chania include wandering the old harbour, browsing the market hall, and using the town as a base for the Samaria Gorge, the Balos lagoon and the beaches of the west coast. Cretan food, built on olive oil, cheeses and greens, is easy to find in the town's restaurants.
Chania suits couples, families and walkers. Spring is lovely for gorge walks and wildflowers, and early autumn is warm for swimming.
- Country
- Greece
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Athens
- Nearest airport
- CHQ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Chania
Venetian Harbour
Heritage · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Picturesque 14th-century Venetian port ringed by pastel houses, tavernas and the old lighthouse.
Old Venetian Lighthouse
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Restored Egyptian-era lighthouse at the harbour mouth, reached by a stone breakwater walk.
Chania Municipal Market
Market · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Cross-shaped 1913 covered market selling Cretan produce, cheese, herbs and raki.
Archaeological Museum of Chania
Museum · about 1 h · entry €6 (≈ ₹640)
Minoan and Greco-Roman finds from western Crete in a modern purpose-built museum.
Samaria Gorge
Nature · about 6 h · entry €5 (≈ ₹530)
16 km national-park gorge descending from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea, a classic day hike.
Elafonisi Beach
Beach · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Pink-tinged sand and shallow lagoons on Crete's south-west tip, a protected Natura area.
Seitan Limania Beach
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Dramatic narrow fjord-like cove reached by a steep path on the Akrotiri peninsula.
Firka Fortress & Maritime Museum
Fort · about 1 h · entry €4 (≈ ₹430)
Venetian bastion at the harbour entrance housing the Maritime Museum of Crete.
Balos Lagoon
Beach · about 3 h · entry €1 (≈ ₹110)
Shallow turquoise lagoon and white-sand spit on the wild Gramvousa peninsula.
Things to do
- Samaria Gorge Hiking Excursion Hiking · 10 h · from EUR 45 per person
- Balos & Gramvousa Boat Trip Cruise · 9 h · from EUR 32 per person
- Chania Old Town Food Tour Food · 3 h · from EUR 60 per person
Day trips and tours
- Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Cruise 9 h · from EUR 32
Where to stay in Chania
- Chania Old Town about EUR 120 per night
Venetian harbour, lighthouse and Ottoman lanes with characterful boutique stays.
- Nea Chora about EUR 95 per night
In-town sandy beach just west of the harbour, lined with fish tavernas.
Hotels
- Casa Delfino 5-star
- Cocoon City Hostel 2-star
- Porto Veneziano 4-star
Where to eat
- Tamam Cretan, Greek · about EUR 22 per person
- To Maridaki Cretan, Seafood · about EUR 25 per person
- Oasis / Bougatsa Chanion Bakery, Cretan · about EUR 5 per person
- Thalassino Ageri Cretan, Seafood · about EUR 45 per person
- Kouzina EPE Cretan, Greek · about EUR 14 per person
Getting to Chania
Airport: Chania (CHQ)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Greece
Frequently asked questions about Chania
- What are the main places to visit in Chania?
- Places covered in our Chania guide include Venetian Harbour, Old Venetian Lighthouse, Chania Municipal Market, Archaeological Museum of Chania, Samaria Gorge.
- Where should I stay in Chania?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Chania: Chania Old Town, Nea Chora.
- How do I get around Chania?
- Ways to get around Chania covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Chania?
- The nearest airport to Chania has the code CHQ.