Photo: Magnus Manske · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chania
A Venetian harbour town with good-value Cretan food and beaches nearby.
Crete's prettiest old town: a Venetian harbour with a lighthouse at the end of a long breakwater, a domed Ottoman mosque on the quay, lanes of old houses behind, good-value food and a sandy beach a short walk away. A good base for the west of Crete; the Samaria Gorge and the Balos lagoon are seasonal day trips by bus or boat (check).
Places to see
- The Venetian harbourWalk · A curving quay of pastel Venetian and Ottoman houses, café tables and fishing boats, with…Free
The lighthouse walkWalk · A walk of about 1.5 km out along the breakwater to the stone lighthouse, with the whole…Free
Splantzia squareSight · A shady square of plane trees and cafés in the old Ottoman quarter, with the church of…Free
When to go
- Jan16° / 8°Often wetQuiet
- Feb16° / 8°Often wetQuiet
- Mar18° / 9°Some rainQuiet
- Apr21° / 11°Some rainQuiet
- May25° / 14°Mostly dryBusy
- Jun29° / 18°Mostly dryBusy
- Jul31° / 21°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug31° / 21°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The harbour and Topanas. The Venetian harbour, the lighthouse and the old Venetian quarter behind it: the prettiest lanes, the busiest at night and the dearest beds.
The old town. The lanes and churches inside the walls, the old Jewish quarter and the market hall, with simple rooms and a few hostels.
Splantzia. The old Ottoman quarter east of the harbour: quieter lanes, a shady square and local tavernas.
Nea Chora. The beach suburb a short walk west of the walls, with fish tavernas and apartments a little cheaper than the old town.
Flying in
Chania International Airport (CHQ): KTEL bus to Chania bus station, about 30 min, ≈ A$4. Buses are timed loosely around flights; a taxi is about €30 (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Chania; check times and fares before you fly.
By ferry
Chania is reached by ferry from Port of Piraeus. Overnight ferries from Piraeus to Souda, about 9 h, then a bus of about 20 min into Chania; book a cabin or seat ahead in summer. Flying to Chania is often quicker (check)
