Your guide to Chania
Chania highlights
Step back in time
Even during a short break to Chania, be sure to explore the city’s historic centre, where you’ll find the island’s most beautiful Venetian architecture. Go down to the harbour to walk along the breakwater toward the minaret-shaped Egyptian lighthouse. Stop at the Ottoman Mosque of the Janissaries, which now houses an art gallery.
See Chrissoskalitissa Monastery
The Chrissoskalitissa Monastery sits on a cliff top overlooking the beach at nearby Elafonisi. Monks abandoned the monastery during Crete’s Turkish occupation, and the structure instead served as a safe haven for passing seamen. Legend has it that one of its 90 steps is paved with gold, though only the pure of heart will spot it.
Venture further afield
Make the most of your stay in Chania by exploring the rest of Crete. Trek the majestic Samaria Gorge, flanked by the White Mountains and Mount Volakias. Highlights include the Samaria ghost village and the Iron Gates, the narrowest part of the gorge. Keep your eyes peeled for kri-kris, a rare goat species found only in the national park.
Chania: Know before you go
| Language | Greek |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) and UTC+3 (EEST) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | November - March |
Find the best time to go to Chania
Weather in Chania
March – May: Pack light layers for Chania’s mild days and cooler evenings. While the sea is likely too cold to enjoy a dip, this is a great time for coastal walks and hikes around the Samaria Gorge.
June – September: Chania’s summers are hot and dry, with average temperatures of around 25°C. The sea is at its warmest, making it a popular time for beach visits.
October – November: Autumn means sunny days, warm waters and comfortable evenings. But the best part? No crowds.
December – February: Winters in Chania are mild, with temperatures between 10°C and 15°C. This is the wettest season, so pack an umbrella and prepare for museum days in case of rain.
Events in Chania
Dance Days Festival (July): You’ll want to shake a leg at this celebration of choreography. The international festival features dance performances, workshops and lectures at theatres and community spaces across the city.
Chania Rock Festival (July or August): One of Greece’s biggest rock and heavy metal events visits Old Town for three days in the summer. See everything from prog rock to black metal performed at the historic Anatolikis Tafrou Theatre.
Sardine Festival (September): Head to Nea Chora Beach for this annual fish-focused festival, held as a way to bring good luck for the following year’s catch. Along with food vendors selling sardine-based dishes, expect traditional music and dancing.
The best neighbourhoods in Chania
Old Town
Explore the nooks and crannies of Chania’s colourful Old Town, pausing to savour a ‘fournos’ (Cretan cheese pie). Visit boutique shops while admiring a mixture of Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman influences. If narrow, cobbled streets and tumbling bougainvillea vines are what you came to Greece for, this is the best neighbourhood to stay in Chania.
Good for: Historic architecture, colourful buildings, shopping
Old Venetian Harbour
This is where to stay in Chania if you want to be near the water and wake up to the sound of boats bobbing in the harbour. Check out the Maritime Museum of Crete, an exhibition at the Venetian shipyards and the replica of an old Minoan ship. Lots of outstanding fish tavernas are here — try the ‘ahinosalata’ (sea urchin salad) in summer.
Good for: Harbour views, cafes, seafood tavernas
Akrotiri
The Akrotiri peninsula offers an escape from the bustle of Old Town Chania. You’ll find several monasteries in this area, including Katholiko, carved into the cliffside and abandoned in the 16th century following repeated attacks by pirates. This is a prime spot if you’re after beaches offering peace and serenity.
Good for: Cliffside monasteries, quiet beaches
Things to do in Chania
Family friendly things to do
One of the best things to do with family in Chania is visit Minoan’s World, a 9D cinema weaving myth and legend throughout the story of Crete’s ancient civilisation. Pop on 3D glasses and strap in as you soar through the ages, letting special effects stimulate your senses. You’ll feel the volcano erupting all the way from Santorini.
Shopping
Shopping in Chania starts by sampling the local wares at Dimotiki Market. Chania has a long tradition of shoemaking – in the Old Town, pick up a pair of tall leather boots from Kidlof Street, also known as Leather Lane. Sifaka Street is nicknamed the ‘Street of the Knives’. Purchase for shipment, but don’t carry these in your hand luggage.
Take in the culture
One of the best museums in Chania is the Maritime Museum of Crete. Located inside the Firka Fortress, it provides insight into the region’s rich seafaring history. Find the Folklore Museum of Chania inside a traditional house, with each room focusing on a specific subject of 18th- and 19th-century life.
Nightlife
Watch the world go by on Splantzia Square in the shadow of the Church of Saint Rocco. Here, you’ll find a variety of cafes, tavernas and bars, which join the Venetian port in providing the best nightlife in Chania. Worthy spots to visit include Sinagogi, Fagotto Jazz Bar and Plaka Music Bar.
Places to eat
It’s worth paying somewhat higher prices for the views from fish tavernas overlooking the old Venetian port. These are considered some of the best restaurants in Chania. With a bottle of Mythos beer, fresh octopus and a slice of lemon, there’s no better spot at sunset. The portions here are usually generous, so consider sharing.
Beaches
As the largest Greek island, Crete has an incredible assortment of beaches. Nea Chora Beach and Koum Kapi beach are both within walking distance from the town centre. A castle and towering mountains provide a striking backdrop to Frangokastello Beach, while on the Gramvousa Peninsula, the lagoon shores of Balos Beach are stunning. Take the ferry here as the drive can be a challenge.
Get ready for Chania
Budget
With city beaches, hiking trails and the historic Old Town, it’s easy to keep costs down on a budget trip to Chania. This is especially true if you travel in the shoulder seasons. Expect to pay less than 15 euros (€) for a simple meal in a restaurant and under €5 for a local beer. If you need a taxi, a short ride costs about €5.
Day trips from Chania
Just over an hour away by car, Rethymno is best known for its pretty Venetian Harbour and 16th-century citadel. Or explore the cathedral-like Melidoni Cave with its vast caverns, some 90 minutes from the city. Have a little more time to spare? Drive two hours to Knossos Palace, a Bronze Age archaeological site.
Getting around Chania
Chania’s Old Town is best explored on foot, while public buses connect major sites and nearby towns. A few beaches are within walking distance, but hiring a car is the best way to reach Crete’s famous coastal gems like Balos and Elafonisi. If you plan to drive, check whether an international driving licence is required.
