Trip To Crete - Chania
- Nimrod
- Jul 30
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 2
May 2025 [To all posts in Greece]
Focus- Trip in Crete - Chania
Content
Trip in Crete, Chania - Introduction
The last time we visited Crete—quite a few years ago—we didn’t make it to Chania. We were on a short family vacation near Heraklion and only got as far as Rethymno (a charming and fun city in its own right).
This time, a visit to Chania was a must, as our trip focused on the western part of the island.
Chania is simply charming—there's no other word for it. We arrived at the perfect time, just before peak tourist season, so the streets weren’t yet packed, and the weather was still on our side (we came in late May). What a treat! The only downside: the sea was still a bit chilly, though perfectly swimmable.
From Chania, we also took a day trip to the Samaria Gorge—very easy to organize from here and highly recommended.
Map of beaches and wineries around Chania
Getting to Chania
Chania is located in northwestern Crete, about a two-hour drive west of Heraklion (where most flights land). It also has its own international airport, with direct flights available during the tourist season.
If you're visiting Crete for just a few days, you might not need to rent a car. Take a bus from Heraklion and explore Chania on foot or by local bus/taxi—including its city beaches.
More Hikes in Crete and Greece
Our Trip
We came for a fairly long trip in Crete (almost two weeks), so we rented a car in Heraklion. Chania was our first stop.
Since our main focus was on beaches, we rented an Airbnb for three nights in the western suburbs of the city, in an area called Agioi Apostoli, which has several lovely beaches just across the road—like Golden Beach.
To get to the city center, we simply took bus line 21 and were there in about 15 minutes. We only used the car to reach a scenic viewpoint above the city near the Church of Prophet Elias.
General Tips
We usually rent our cars through EconomyCarRentals, a booking platform that brings together lots of international and local rental
Most of the time, it's cheapest to pick up and return the car at the airport — just be sure to compare different drop-off options to see what works best price-wise.
If you don’t have a rental car and want to explore beaches or other attractions farther out, you can always turn to local agencies in the city — like ATTIOS TRAVEL, where you can book day trips or shuttles to stunning beaches like Balos or Elafonisi. (There are plenty of similar agencies around town.)
You can also use public transport from the central bus station — there’s even a tourist information desk there to help you out.
Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of giving personal hotel recommendations — everyone has their own tastes and needs. What bothers one person might not even register for another… Just hop onto one of the booking platforms, check the ratings, and read the reviews. Make sure there are no ongoing renovations in or near the hotel, and that cancellation is possible close to your arrival date.
Same goes for restaurant tips. Most places around here serve the same traditional dishes — fish, seafood, homemade stews, and Greek classics. Some are better than others, of course, but honestly, just check the reviews and Google ratings — you’ll usually be just fine.
A bit of history
Chania’s story goes way back — around 3,500 years to the Minoan era, when it was known as Kydonia. Over the centuries, it changed hands many times — Romans, Byzantines, and Arabs all ruled here at different points. In the 13th century, during the Venetian period, Chania became a major city with impressive architecture — fortresses, a protected harbor, palaces, and churches, many of which still stand today.
In the 17th century, the Ottomans conquered the city after a long siege. Chania became the capital of Crete under their rule, and they added mosques, fountains, bathhouses, and a khan (inn) — some of which have also survived. The population was diverse, with Greeks, Muslims, and Jews living side by side.
By the late 19th century, after local uprisings and international pressure, Crete gained autonomy — and in 1913 it officially united with Greece. During World War II, Chania was occupied by the Nazis and heavily bombed. After the war, it was rebuilt and gradually turned into the vibrant tourist hub we know today.
Interesting places in the city
Chania is a compact and charming city (around 60,000 residents) with a great vibe — good food, lively bars and cafés, beautiful beaches, narrow picturesque streets, and cozy boutique hotels. Just a heads-up: in peak tourist season, you’ll be sharing the city with about 25,000 visitors every single day.
That said, let’s keep things in proportion — this isn’t Paris, okay? Think of Chania more as a perfect base for day trips, beach hopping, and exploring the western part of Crete.
The city itself can be explored quite well in about two days, hitting all the worthwhile spots.
The Historic City
Chania is divided into the Old Town and the New Town. In the New Town, you’ll find everything you’d expect from a modern city: fashion chains, shops, restaurants, cafés, museums, and small urban parks.
Speaking of coffee — in Greece, there are a few popular types. There’s Frappé, which is made by whipping instant coffee, water, and sugar, served over ice (and milk, if you like).
Another favorite is the Freddo, made with two shots of espresso, whipped and poured over ice — either as a Freddo espresso (with water) or Freddo cappuccino (with milk foam). Finding a classic cappuccino done well can be a bit trickier, but things are improving :)
A great place for a proper cappuccino is Monogram, just at the entrance to the Old Town.
Heads-up: in many places, coffee stops being served after 20:00.
The Old Town, which stretches along the historic Venetian harbor and within the old city walls, is full of atmosphere. You'll find historical buildings, the covered market (currently closed for renovation), and lots of narrow, colorful alleyways packed with boutique hotels, tavernas, souvenir shops, leather goods, and lovely handmade crafts.
The covered market (Agora) in Chania, built in the early 20th century in the shape of a cross and inspired by the market in Marseille, is currently closed for renovations — it’s expected to reopen sometime in 2026.
The Old Venetian Harbor
The Old Venetian Harbor in Chania, built in the 14th century by the Venetians, was once a bustling commercial and maritime hub. These days, it’s one of the city’s main attractions, with a stunning waterfront promenade lined with restaurants, cafés, and beautifully restored historic buildings.
The iconic Venetian lighthouse — the harbor’s postcard symbol — stands proudly at the edge of the bay. It’s a real treat to stroll along the high breakwater that leads right up to it.
Etz Hayyim Synagogue
Originally built back in the 15th century, the Etz Hayyim Synagogue has seen its share of turmoil — destruction, fires, even bombings — but was lovingly restored and reopened in 1996. You can visit for a symbolic entry fee of €4, and if you're around on a Friday evening, you can even join the Shabbat service.
The Jewish community of Chania faced persecution and exile over the centuries, with the darkest chapter during World War II. Most of the island’s Jewish population, captured by the Nazis, perished when the ship transporting them was mistakenly torpedoed by a British destroyer.
Museums & Viewpoints in Chania
The Archaeological Museum of Chania (entry €15, official website here) is definitely worth a visit. It presents artifacts from the Minoan to the Roman periods, laid out chronologically and by region. There’s clever use of multimedia and maps to help you make sense of the area’s long and complex history. The museum building itself is impressive, and the view over the city from there is quite something.
Another nice stop is the Maritime Museum of Crete (entry €5, official site here, closed on Sundays), located inside the Firka Fortress at the northwestern end of the harbor. The fortress was built in 1629 to defend the port, but today it houses a museum filled with ship models, navigation instruments, maritime art, and more.
Viewpoint from the Prophet Elijah Church
For a peaceful escape and stunning city view, head up to the Venizelos Graves. This lovely garden area is home to the tombs of two prominent Greek politicians who share the same last name — though they're not related.
Eleftherios Venizelos led the unification of Crete with Greece in 1913 and is considered one of the founding fathers of modern Greece. Evangelos Venizelos, former finance and foreign minister (2015), played a key role in Greece’s economic reforms during the EU crisis.
In the same garden stands a small, charming church dedicated to the Prophet Elijah (Profitis Ilias). Entry is free.
Beaches in and around the City
Chania's urban beaches, like Koum Kapi on the eastern side of the city or Nea Chora on the western side, are pleasant enough — but let’s be honest, they’re nothing to write home about.
If you're looking for something a bit more scenic and charming, hop on a taxi or take bus line 21 to the Agioi Apostoli neighborhood west of the city. There you'll find three lovely little coves: Golden Beach, Yannis Beach, and Iguana Beach.
You can also spot other beautiful beaches farther from town using the interactive map linked above.
Other beautiful beaches are just outside the city — like Kalathas Beach, which you can reach by car in about 20 minutes or by public transport in around an hour and a half.
Shopping
What’s special and worth buying in Chania? Quite a few things, for example:
Leather goods such as handmade bags, sandals, and belts — visit the Leather Street (Skridlof Street).
Textiles like tablecloths, small rugs, runners, and hand-embroidered towels (sold in shops in the old town).
Ceramics and pottery — plates, bowls, jugs with ancient Minoan-style patterns (also in the old town shops).
Natural cosmetics and local herbs, including creams, soaps, and organic teas.
And of course, local cheeses, olive oil, and excellent honey.
Outside the City – A Visit to a Winery
On our way to the next destination after staying in Chania, we drove to Anoskeli Winery, located about a 30-minute drive from the city. The winery is charming, and the wines are very tasty. The olive press here also produces excellent olive oil. It’s recommended to book in advance.