Welcome to Chania!
City/town information
According to Times: Chania, Crete’s pretty northwestern port exudes a heady old-town charm with its sprinkling of medieval Venetian architecture, buzzy harbourside restaurants and bustling street markets. Folk have been here since Mycenaean times in 1600BC and their ruined buildings attract archaeology lovers from far and wide. Later, Venetians took over, then Turks, leaving history to flow from every cobbled Chania alley. With July temperatures hovering around a pleasant 25C, it’s a hard-to-beat, part-urban, part-beach holiday. Further afield, adventurers can hike through the stunning Samaria Gorge, or explore unspoilt villages such as Vamos, known for authentic Cretan food, in the foothills of the White Mountains.
319 locals recommend
Chania
According to Times: Chania, Crete’s pretty northwestern port exudes a heady old-town charm with its sprinkling of medieval Venetian architecture, buzzy harbourside restaurants and bustling street markets. Folk have been here since Mycenaean times in 1600BC and their ruined buildings attract archaeology lovers from far and wide. Later, Venetians took over, then Turks, leaving history to flow from every cobbled Chania alley. With July temperatures hovering around a pleasant 25C, it’s a hard-to-beat, part-urban, part-beach holiday. Further afield, adventurers can hike through the stunning Samaria Gorge, or explore unspoilt villages such as Vamos, known for authentic Cretan food, in the foothills of the White Mountains.
Coffe
Mikro Caffenio is a peaceful place and ideal for morning or afternoon coffee just by the beach. Their smoothies are a must!
11 locals recommend
Mikro - Coffee house
6 Akti MiaouliMikro Caffenio is a peaceful place and ideal for morning or afternoon coffee just by the beach. Their smoothies are a must!
In the centre of the city and next to the Old Venetian Harbour is the KROSS COFFEE ROASTERS café. Excellent coffee and in a special part of the city that is definitely worth a visit.
13 locals recommend
Kross coffee roasters
1 NearchouIn the centre of the city and next to the Old Venetian Harbour is the KROSS COFFEE ROASTERS café. Excellent coffee and in a special part of the city that is definitely worth a visit.
The café-bar is located next to the Venizelos’ graves and it offers a fantastic, panoramic view of the city of Chania and delicious desserts!
226 locals recommend
Koukouvaya
The café-bar is located next to the Venizelos’ graves and it offers a fantastic, panoramic view of the city of Chania and delicious desserts!
ΣΤΟΥΝΤΙΟ ΟΞΩ ΝΟΥ ΧΑΝΙΑ
29 Agias KiriakisMonogram
5 DaskalogianniFood scene
If you are looking for a quiet place, away from the busy crowds, but in the city center and with great food then you should visit To Steno.
To Steno - Το Στενό
26 Episkopou DorotheouIf you are looking for a quiet place, away from the busy crowds, but in the city center and with great food then you should visit To Steno.
If you want to walk a little further from the center and the old harbour, then we suggest a walk to Nea Chora, where you can make a stop at KAKI. Do not hesitate to ask for dishes of the day.
7 locals recommend
KAIKI
5 Akti PapanikoliIf you want to walk a little further from the center and the old harbour, then we suggest a walk to Nea Chora, where you can make a stop at KAKI. Do not hesitate to ask for dishes of the day.
Tamam
The Well of the Turk
1 SarpakiKousina LTD
Αρ.2 DaskalogianniTo Stachi offers a variety of local traditional vegetarian dishes and a menu that changes with the seasonal Cretan ingredients.
19 locals recommend
To Stachi
5 EpimenidouTo Stachi offers a variety of local traditional vegetarian dishes and a menu that changes with the seasonal Cretan ingredients.
Salis
3 Akti EnoseosChrisostomos
και IkarouKritamon
38 KondilakiThalassino Ageri
Ginger Concept
36 SarpakiLAGANON FRESH PASTA
69 DaskalogianniNeighbourhoods
A beach in walking distance from the city centre where you can enjoy some delicious lunch or dinner in the nearby fish restaurants.
18 locals recommend
Nea Chora
A beach in walking distance from the city centre where you can enjoy some delicious lunch or dinner in the nearby fish restaurants.
Old Town
36 Emmanoil VernardoySplanzia
20 DaskalogianniBeach
Elafonisi is an oblong peninsula, located 75 km from Chania, Crete which is full of sand dunes with sea daffodils.
The Natura 2000 protected area is separated from the Cretan shore by a lagoon, giving the impression of being a separate island.
The endangered loggerhead sea turtle and several more rare animals and plants find shelter on the island; the removal of any plants, animals, shells, or sand from the area is strictly forbidden.
Exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water, reminding one of the Caribbean, are formed on either side of the peninsula. The sand is pinkish in many places as a result of the millions of crushed shells. Near the breaking point of the peninsula, the seawater is no deeper than one meter in depth, creating a small lagoon.
442 locals recommend
Elafonisi
Elafonisi is an oblong peninsula, located 75 km from Chania, Crete which is full of sand dunes with sea daffodils.
The Natura 2000 protected area is separated from the Cretan shore by a lagoon, giving the impression of being a separate island.
The endangered loggerhead sea turtle and several more rare animals and plants find shelter on the island; the removal of any plants, animals, shells, or sand from the area is strictly forbidden.
Exotic beaches with white sand and turquoise water, reminding one of the Caribbean, are formed on either side of the peninsula. The sand is pinkish in many places as a result of the millions of crushed shells. Near the breaking point of the peninsula, the seawater is no deeper than one meter in depth, creating a small lagoon.
A huge sweep of white sand formed between the coast and Gramvousa islet, where a Venetian fort held out against the Turks until the 18th century. Now a Natura 2000 site, Balos can be reached by car — the last 8km are on a rough dirt road, then a half-hour walk from the car park. Easiest, however, are the excursion boats that run daily in summer from the nearest town, Kastelli Kissamos or from Chania.
515 locals recommend
Balos Beach
A huge sweep of white sand formed between the coast and Gramvousa islet, where a Venetian fort held out against the Turks until the 18th century. Now a Natura 2000 site, Balos can be reached by car — the last 8km are on a rough dirt road, then a half-hour walk from the car park. Easiest, however, are the excursion boats that run daily in summer from the nearest town, Kastelli Kissamos or from Chania.
On the west side of the Chania near Kissamos, this beach offers many organized facilities and activities which makes it an ideal place for families.
Above the beach, which has sparkling light blue water, you can visit the archaeological site of ancient Falassarna. There are also many activities, such as windsurfing, which you can access from a windsurfing station at the beach during the summer months.
337 locals recommend
Falassarna Beach
On the west side of the Chania near Kissamos, this beach offers many organized facilities and activities which makes it an ideal place for families.
Above the beach, which has sparkling light blue water, you can visit the archaeological site of ancient Falassarna. There are also many activities, such as windsurfing, which you can access from a windsurfing station at the beach during the summer months.
Stavros Beach
Παραλία Λουτρού
Glika Nera Beach
Ilingas Beach
Sougia Beach
Epar.Od. Chanion - SougiasAgia Roumeli
Gialiskari beach
Afrata Beach
Cocktails
Sinagogi Bar
Parodos KondilakiΚΛΕΙΔΙ cafe bar
10 Pl. 1821Το μοναστήρι του καρόλου
22 Chatzimichali NtalianiFagotto Art Residences Chania Crete
18 AggelouBohème Chania
26-28 ChalidonPALLAS
Akti TompaziNAMA
19 Akti TompaziAbaba Bar
12 IsodionSightseeing
The Ej Hayim (Tree of Life) synagogue is a synagogue in the old town of Chania, the only surviving synagogue in Crete. It is located in the Jewish neighborhood, on Kondylaki Street. Built in the 17th century, it was severely damaged during World War II and was restored in 1997-1999. Since its restoration, it has served as a place of prayer, remembrance, reflection and reconciliation.
26 locals recommend
Etz Hayyim Synagogue
Parodos KondilakiThe Ej Hayim (Tree of Life) synagogue is a synagogue in the old town of Chania, the only surviving synagogue in Crete. It is located in the Jewish neighborhood, on Kondylaki Street. Built in the 17th century, it was severely damaged during World War II and was restored in 1997-1999. Since its restoration, it has served as a place of prayer, remembrance, reflection and reconciliation.
New Archaeological Museum of Chania
15 Skra