Chania is the second largest city of Crete and a place where several different peoples met throughout history, creating a diverse culture. Even today, it is a city of contrasts with historical quarters on the one hand and tropical places on the other. It is a place that surely charms its visitors from the first moment they visit it and makes them want to return there again and again.
Old Venetian Port
The trademark of Chania city is its old Venetian port. Its stately architecture is still preserved today, blending seamlessly with the modern cafes, restaurants, and bars there. Visitors can stroll along the beach and enjoy the capturing view towards the Egyptian lighthouse, which is the jewel of Chania, built by Venetians at the end of the 16th century. It is 21m high and its light covers a distance of seven miles. It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world that has survived until today.
Splantzia Square
Splantzia Square is located on the southeastern side of the old city of Chania and is today called 1821 square. In the past, it was the center of the city and the largest Muslim district. During Ottoman domination, the church of Saint Nikolas was converted into a mosque. In 1918 it was converted into an orthodox temple in honor of Saint Nikolas. Today it is the only temple in Greece that has both a bell tower and a minaret. At the center of the square, there is a huge plane tree where there is a catacomb.
Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque (Giali Tzamisi)
The mosque of Küçük Hasan Pasha is also known as “Giali Tzamisi”, which means “mosque of the sea”. It was built on the site of a preexisting Christian temple after the conquest of Chania by the Ottomans in 1645, honoring Küçük Hasan Pasha. The mosque is cubical in shape, with a large semispherical dome supported by stone arches. During the 2nd World War it housed the Archaeological Museum of Chania. Afterwards it was used as a storehouse, folklore museum, tourist information point and exhibition venue.
Venetian Shipyards (Neoria)
During the Venetian occupation (1204–1669) Venetians, who had occupied the island and whose fleet took rule over the Mediterranean, constructed a fair number of Neoria or Arsenali (Shipyards) in Chania, where their ships could be repaired. By 1593, sixteen “Neoria” had been constructed. They are among the most impressive monuments in the Old Port of Chania. Neorio was open to the sea for the entry of the ship and reached 50 meters in length. There were two bands, a large consisting of 17 shipyards and a subsequent with 5 shipyards. During the Venetian period there were 23 new arsenals, while today only 9 arsenals are preserved, some of which function as exhibition and conference venues.
Old Town
The Old Town of Chania is considered one of the most impressive cities in the entire Mediterranean. Although it has been destroyed many times by its conquerors, it still maintains an idyllic atmosphere. With its narrow, winding streets and different architectural rhythms, Venetian, Ottoman, and Jewish, the Old Town of Chania is a place of striking contrasts, but also of extraordinary harmony. Walking in its alleys, you will easily find yourself in the most picturesque street, Angelou Street. It is an atmospheric narrow street in the Topana district, which is home to Venetian and Ottoman buildings, as well as to beautiful shops and restored boutique hotels.
Chalepa
Chalepa is considered the most aristocratic district of Chania, which still manages to maintain its stately elements. Its beautiful, quiet location was a great incentive for wealthy and powerful families to choose it as their place of residence. One of them was Commissioner Prince George and the Venizelos family, who maintained a summer residence in the area. Today, it remains the most notable suburb of Chania with particular tourist development.
Tabakaria
The coastal extension of Chalepa towards the north is known as the “Tabakaria” area, which means tanneries in the Turkish language. The leather products of the tanneries in Tabakaria proved to be very popular and over time more and more tanneries were being established in the area. Today they are abandoned, but it is a nice, interesting place to take a short walk.
Frangokastello
Frangokastello is a small seaside village with a few houses and quite a few rooms to let. It is famous for its Venetian castle of the same name, built by the Venetians in 1371, which is preserved in very good condition. It is a medieval castle located on the south coast of Crete, approximately 12 km east of Sfakion Chora. The Venetian name of the castle was Agios Nikitas, but the name Frangokastello prevailed, as the local population used to call “Franks” all foreign Catholics. A strange phenomenon called “Drosulites” is observed every year between May and June around the particular area. These are moving shadows that can be seen from the surrounding mountainous areas in the plain of Frangokastello.
Balos beach
Balos is among the best beaches in Greece, which lies 56 km northwest of Chania Town. The lagoon of Balos is undoubtedly a popular and much-photographed part of Crete, appearing in all travel guides for Greece. Opposite the beach, there is a rocky island called Gramvoussa and on top of this island, there is a Venetian castle. The white sand, the blue shades of the sea and the wild natural beauty create a unique, heavenly, exotic landscape.
Venizelos Tombs
One of the most popular spots offering a panoramic view of Chania is the location of Venizelos family tombs, a few kilometers east of the city, on the road to Akrotiri and the airport. Eleftherios Venizelos and his son, Sophocles, were prominent figures in modern Greek history and politics. Eleftherios Venizelos took an active part in the revolutionary movements of the locals for the liberation of Crete. He served the Greek State as a Prime Minister 7 times and died in 1936 self-exiled in Paris. This location is found next to the historic church of Prophet Ilias. The place is surrounded by a dense pine forest that will give you a panoramic and idyllic view of the city of Chania and the endless blue sea.
