If you travel to Greece, whatever you do, don’t skip Chania. I did on my first visit to Greece (the ferry got cancelled due to weather), and I now regret that. I loved everything about Chania. This port town has lots of charming architecture which reflects its Turkish and Venetian past. The lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in the entire world. The port area also has lots of great restaurants with beautiful views of the harbor. It was especially crowed with locals for Sunday lunch and seemed to be everyone’s favorite hangout.
Chania lighthouseThe Chania Port
I absolutely loved getting lost in the winding streets of Old Town and The Turkish Quarter of Splatzia. Charming old doors framed purring cats who napped in the sun. The smell of coffee, cigarettes, and orange blossoms perfumed the air as Greek fishermen lazily watched the day go by. I must also mention that I don’t thing I’ve ever seen ocean or sky as blue as it is in Crete.
Old Town abandoned housesRed doorOld Windows in Chania’s Old TownOrange Trees in CreteLemons Reaching For The Sky In ChaniaChania cats
In the Turkish quarter, things were a little more modern with lots of street art painted on the old buildings. There was a youthful energy with coffee shops, trendy wine bars and restaurants in this district.
Chania street artChania street art
There’s also a great beach in Chania town if you just want to spend the day in the sun. It is also surrounded by a few restaurants if you want to take a break for lunch.
Chania Beach
During your visit to Chania, make sure you visit the Profitis Ilias area. This is where the Venizelos Family Tomb is located and the view from this hill on the city is breathtaking. If you visit in the spring, make sure to walk around the area to see the stunning trees and wildflowers in bloom. Plan to watch sunset at Koukouvaya. This restaurant has gorgeous views and decadent desserts!
Chania trees in bloomWine at KoukouvayaSunset from Koukouvaya in ChaniaSunset from Koukouvaya in Chania
Chania also has some of the best restaurants and food than I’ve had in all of Greece. For more of my Chania restaurant recommendations, make sure you check out my article on my other website, Eating The Globe.
Crayfish with Squid Ink Pasta at Palazzo Almare Restaurant in Chania
Chania was one of my favorite spots in Greece for many reasons. It was a gateway to one of the most beautiful islands on earth, it was very walkable, it had delicious and affordable food, friendly people, and interesting architecture. Let me know if you visit when you travel to Greece!
Valen Dawson-Author
What About You? Have You Traveled To Chania? What Did You Think?
Hello Dawen, happy to read your article about Chania, I ve never been there yet, but I will go.
I like the red door photo, what´s more I like photos about doors…
In general Mediterraneo Villages are very nice.
grettings
Fernando from hostal La Plata in Madrid
See you soon
It looks beautiful and I love that you visited one of the lest frequented Greek islands. We included Folegandros on our visit to Greece last year and while there isn’t the tourism infrastructure like Santorini or Mykonos, we quite enjoyed getting a taste of the “real” Greek island life.
I am Greek-American and travel often to visit family, but there is SO much of Greece that I have yet to explore. We tend to just stay in the Athens area, but recently vowed to explore at least 1 new location each visit. This is a great post and I will definitely put Chania on my list!
8 Comments
Fernando
Hello Dawen, happy to read your article about Chania, I ve never been there yet, but I will go.
I like the red door photo, what´s more I like photos about doors…
In general Mediterraneo Villages are very nice.
grettings
Fernando from hostal La Plata in Madrid
See you soon
paradise
Hi Fernando! Chania is amazing!! I look forward to seeing you soon. I can’t wait to get to Madrid and have some Torta del Casar cheese!!
T.W. Anderson @ Marginal Boundaries
Love it 🙂 Greece is one of my favorite countries to travel to.
ben
A paradise indeed! 🙂
Jennifer
It looks beautiful and I love that you visited one of the lest frequented Greek islands. We included Folegandros on our visit to Greece last year and while there isn’t the tourism infrastructure like Santorini or Mykonos, we quite enjoyed getting a taste of the “real” Greek island life.
Tanya Stamoulis
I am Greek-American and travel often to visit family, but there is SO much of Greece that I have yet to explore. We tend to just stay in the Athens area, but recently vowed to explore at least 1 new location each visit. This is a great post and I will definitely put Chania on my list!
paradise
Thanks, Tanya! Greece is definitely one of my favorite countries!!
Dan
Chania was definitely my favourite place out of Crete by far