Must see in the city Center
Old Venezian Port
Dating from the 14th century, the old harbour is ringed by a promenade lined with seafood eateries and cafés, it buzzes with visitors in summer, and is totally enchanting by night.
Old Town
One of the best things to do in Chania is wander through the maze of narrow, pedestrian-only streets in the historic old town. An architectural style jumps out at you around every corner. Shops lining the streets and stairways sell souvenirs, and cute restaurants and cafés are tucked into shady patios.
As you walk around, you’ll come across four distinct areas, each with its own look and feel: Kastelli is hilly and quite old with very narrow, twisty walkways. If you come across a group of tourists, it’s often too tight to pass. Topanas is just back from the old port and has narrow roadways. The Jewish District is easily identified by its wider streets. The Splantzia District has the greatest number of outdoor cafés and restaurants, mostly located around a huge plane tree in front of the Church of St. Nicolas.
Walk the Seawall to the Lighthouse
One of the best views of the old port and Chania’s old town can be found by taking a pleasant stroll along the Venetian seawall to the 19th-century lighthouse.
Although the lighthouse is not open to visitors, you can still climb the set of stairs to the first level at the base for views back to the city and out to sea
Maritime Museum
This museum, at the tip of land across the channel from the lighthouse, traces Crete’s centuries-old relationship with the sea, from the Minoans, through the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods, to arrive at the German invasion of the island during WWII.
Spread over two floors, the collection includes video presentations, amazing models of ships, paintings, photos, and nautical equipment. You’ll find it at the western corner of the old harbour in a lovely red building constructed by the Venetians and used as a prison.
Municipal Market
A pleasant diversion from the mainstream tourist attractions in Chania is the Municipal Market. Housed in a 4,000-square-meter structure built in 1911, you’ll find sellers offering, vegetables, meats, and fish at the peak of its freshness. If you are on a self-catering vacation in or around Chania, this should be your first stop to stock up.
It’s interesting to note that a majority of the items are grown on Crete. The island’s unique climate and topography allow for the cultivation of a wide variety of produce throughout the year.
Some small, local restaurants are also located here along with other shops selling the standard tourist supplies.
(will be closed for at least 1 year)
Greek orthodox Cathedral
The Orthodox Cathedral of Chania or church of Trimartiri is situated in Halidon street little before the old Venetian harbour of Chania.
The present temple was built on the place of an older church of Virgin Mary which dated back to the 14th century.
In 1645, during the Ottoman occupation, the temple was converted into a soap factory , owned by the Turkish official Moustafa Pasha Giritli.
The construction of the church was completed in 1860 in the style of a three aisle Basilica.
On the northeast side of the temple there is the high bell-tower.
The church features three aisles with the central one dedicated to the Virgin Mary (celebrated on November 21st), the north aisle one dedicated to Saint Nicholas and the southern one to the Three Hierarchs.
