The region of Chania locate on the western most part of the island, is most possibly the best place for every age holidays in Greece. With its one-of-a-kind, Mediterranean and tropical beaches, and the totally picturesque and romantic Chania town.
Chania city has a history so rich and varied that it is impossible to even summarize it in just one article. But there is a period in the city’s history that has left the biggest impact in the character and the atmosphere of today’s Chania city: The Venetian period. With its world-class Venetian Harbor and Old Town, the region of Chania is a real treat for the senses.
During this period that the Venetian ruled the Mediterranean Sea, Chania city became their most important harbor in the eastern Mediterranean, and the second most important harbor after Venice itself. It was in this period that the amazing Old Venetian Harbor of Chania was gradually built. A master piece of civil engineering in its time. The Chania Venetian Harbor soon filled with architectural masterpieces – a trend that continued during the years of the Ottoman occupation of Crete.
Today, in the harbor you can see the impressive Old Sea Wall that the Venetians built to protect it. On the edge of the wall lies the Arabian Lighthouse – called this way by the craftsmen who restored it during the Ottoman years.
Across the Old Sea Wall there are the grand Venetian Arsenalis (meaning “dockyards”), which are slowly and carefully restored year after year. The biggest of them, the Great Arsenali, was the first to complete its fine restoration, and now houses the Center of Mediterranean Architecture. We highly recommend to visit this magnificent building.
Important buildings of the Ottoman period of Chania in the Old Venetian Harbor include the Yali Tzami is, with its characteristic dome, and Firkas fortress, which used to be a prison for revolting Cretans, and now houses the Naval Museum of Chania.
Chania Old Town is the part of the city just behind the Venetian Harbor. A maze of small cobbled streets and alleys, the Old Town is the most vibrant part of the city, being full of people from all over the world day and night.
Get your time to explore the hidden corners and charming shops of the Old Town of Chania. Here you will find some of the best taverns, restaurants, cafes, bars and handicrafts shops in Crete.
Inside the Old Town, you will find many buildings with centuries of history behind them. Every corner of the Old Town is literally a place where something important happened in the city’s long history. The Old Town of Chania will most possibly be one of the cultural highlights of your holiday travel to Greece.
Chania city is arguably the most romantic city in Crete – and for many people in Greece itself. The atmosphere of the Old Town, the charm of the Venetian Harbor, the combination of the old and the new, all make Chania city the ideal location for holidays in Crete.
Apart from the known neighbourhoods on the coast, Chania city has a lot of hidden places, true gems of a city that has been largely influenced by every major civilization in the East Mediterranean Sea.
Near the Venetian Port, and walking to the east, you can find the Koum Kapi area. The relaxed, atmosphere at the cafes and the small restaurants here is impressive. Koum Kapi is an essential stop in your visit in Chania, and in Crete. In Koum Kapi you will find many locals as well. After all, this is what you want in your holidays, to see the authentic places where the locals go. You want to feel the beating heart of the Chania city of today.
To the west of Venetian Port, and in walking distend, you can find the Nea Hora area. The relaxed beach of the city that locals go and the fishing boat shelter. Here is impressive how you can enjoy your lunch or dinner next to the sea in one of the small restaurants with the fresh fish coming straight from the fisherman’s nets.
