Chania trips and vacations

Spend some of your trip to Chania exploring its historic city center, where you’ll find the island’s most beautiful Venetian architecture. Go down to the harbor 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.

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.

Make the most of your vacation to 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.

Explore the nooks and crannies of Chania’s colorful Old Town, pausing to savor 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 neighborhood to stay in Chania.

Good for: Historic architecture, colorful buildings, shopping

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 harbor. 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: Harbor views, cafes, seafood tavernas

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 

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 civilization. Pop on 3D glasses and buckle your seat belt as you soar through the ages, letting special effects stimulate your senses. You’ll feel the volcano erupting all the way from Santorini.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 center. 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.