At first look, Chania seems a bit weathered, with many buildings in want of restoration and a lick of recent paint. These anticipating the postcard-perfect, white-washed villages of the Cyclades received’t discover that right here.
What you’ll find is a vibrant, dwelling metropolis—house to a captivating Previous City, a deliciously satisfying eating scene, and an inviting, laid-back vibe.
We beloved Chania a lot that, even after spending three nights there, we discovered ourselves coming again for day journeys throughout our longer keep in Plakias.
Though you don’t want a automobile to go to Crete’s second largest metropolis, renting a automobile is important if you wish to discover Chania’s environment with ease.
I crafted this Chania itinerary for vacationers, who’re looking for no-nonsense suggestions rooted completely in actual, firsthand experiences. On the finish, I shared a number of concepts on the right way to lengthen this itinerary.
The place to Keep in Chania
Previous City | Tucked away alongside unassuming lanes, you’ll discover the very best lodges in Chania–together with Casa Delfino Lodge & Spa, AZADE Chania, and Monastery Property Venetian Harbor–all elegantly housed in restored Venetian mansions. Different standout lodging are Malmo Historic Lodge (midrange), Qualia Slowlife Suites (midrange-luxury), and Aisha Lodge (midrange-luxury).
Koum Kapi | |This neighborhood is a implausible selection for vacationers who need to keep close to the Previous City with out the trouble of parking removed from their lodging. We stayed within the trendy Theta Seaside Boutique Lodge, a contemporary (and really inexpensive) boutique resort with seaview rooms and comparatively straightforward parking. Just a few blocks away, Hyperion Metropolis Lodge & Spa presents non-public storage parking with reservation (additional cost).
Tabakaria District | Occupying a historic tannery, the seafront Tanneries Lodge & Spa presents an indoor swimming pool, health club, on-site restaurant, and free non-public parking, situated close by. Although additional away from the Previous City, this neighborhood is ideal for discerning vacationers looking for peace, privateness, and an air of exclusivity.
All lodging in Chania.
Day 1: Previous City and Venetian Harbor
Discover the Previous City Lanes
Extending from the Venetian Harbor to the bustling Nikiforou Foka street and Firka Fortress, Chania’s Previous City is a compact labyrinth of slim lanes, largely pedestrianized.
To actually take within the Previous City, simply stroll—no plan wanted–and weave by way of retailers, tavernas, and hidden corners.
Lined with colourful buildings housing galleries and attractive ships, Zampeliou is a very enchanting avenue. Don’t miss the Grocery Retailer (Google Maps), a espresso store and retailer promoting Cretan specialities. Skridlof, often called the leather-based alley, is filled with distributors promoting leather-based items like purses, wallets, and belts.
The atmospheric Chatzimichali Ntaliani and its maze of slim aspect streets are overflowing with vibrant eating places and bars, every one including to the neighborhood’s irresistible vitality.
To your espresso repair, head to Monogram (Google Maps), a energetic nook café with sunny outside seating and an ideal front-row place for people-watching. If there are not any free tables, stroll a couple of minutes to Kross Espresso Roasters (Google Maps).
Memento retailers are ample, however upscale and distinctive boutiques are few and much between. One exception is JUSTBRAZIL RESORT (Google Maps), an elegant boutique by Renata Leitao, providing a trendy mixture of Greek, Spanish, and Brazilian-inspired vogue. It’s the place I discovered a pair of Kaleos sun shades, which I treasure.
By way of points of interest, the Previous Chania Market is a favourite, although it was sadly closed throughout our go to. Standing on Splantzia Sq. within the Turkish quarter of the Previous City, St. Nicholas Church uniquely options each a Christian bell tower and a Muslim minaret.
Eat Lunch at Chrisostomos
For an exquisite introduction to conventional Cretan delicacies, eat lunch at Chrisostomos (Google Maps), situated between the Sabbionara Bastion and the Venetian Harbor.
Watch the Sundown alongside the Previous Sea Wall of the Venetian Harbor
Courting again to the Venetian Period (thirteenth -Seventeenth centuries), the Venetian Harbor is the image of the town. It’s lined with tavernas and fish eating places, housed in centuries-old buildings.
Encasing the harbor, the Previous Sea Wall was constructed by the Venetians to guard the city from pirates and different invaders. Hint the wall to the Egyptian Lighthouse for the very best views of Chania, particularly at sundown. From this vantage level, the White Mountains–snow-capped in winter–type the dramatic backdrop of the seaside metropolis.
Different notable landmarks embody the Venetian Shipyards (Neoria), of which 7 stay, and the Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque or Yalı Mosque, relationship again to the Ottoman Period.
As you stroll alongside the seaside promenade, one urgent query inevitably arises: the place do you have to dine?
Eat Dinner at Sallis
Salis (Google Maps) serves beautiful up to date Mediterranean delicacies, crafted with produce sourced primarily from the restaurant’s personal farm. This farm-to-table strategy ensures a seasonal menu that displays the freshest flavors of every time of 12 months.
Day 2: Akrotiri Peninsula and Koum Kapi Neighborhood
A few of Crete’s most gorgeous pure points of interest are discovered on the Akrotiri Peninsula close to Chania, together with Katholiko Gorge and Seitan Limania Seashore. Since each locations require some mountain climbing, it’s important to pack sturdy sneakers.
For right now’s tour, Kati and I picked up sandwiches at Bakery Patisserie & Espresso Store Ntourountous Chania 1866 Sq. (Google Maps).
Hike Katholiko Gorge
Katholiko Gorge serves because the spectacular passageway between the Katholiko Monastery ruins and Katholiko Bay. To start out this hike, drive to the Gouverneto Monastery automobile park (Google Maps).
In the event you didn’t hire a automobile, try this guided tour Half-Day Personal Mountain climbing Tour to the Akrotiri Peninsula.
After paying a small entrance charge (solely in excessive season), observe the pilgrimage path previous the Gouverneto Monastery to the Arkoudospilio Cave, which was as soon as a pagan temple devoted to the goddess Artemis. With views of the ocean, proceed descending to the Cave of St. John the Hermit and the ruins of Katholiko Monastery.
Beneath the cliffside monastery church, a path drops all the way down to the mattress of Katholiko Gorge, also referred to as Avlaki Gorge. Between rugged limestone partitions, hint the rocky mattress to the coast.
The secluded Katholiko Bay is a slim inlet, flanked by weathered limestone partitions. Benefit from the view, however don’t swim.
Learn our Katholiko Gorge mountain climbing information for an entire path description and extra pictures.
Go to Seitan Limania Seashore
From the Gouverneto Monastery, drive 25 minutes to the Seitan Limania Seashore automobile park (Google Maps).
Like Katholiko Bay, Seitan Limania can also be an S-shaped inlet flanked by rugged sea cliffs. Nevertheless, in contrast to Katholiko Bay, swimming is allowed.
A brief round path, measuring 0.5 km, connects the automobile park with the seashore. We adopted the apparent path to the left, finishing the circuit in a clockwise route.
The path drops down a jagged cliff after which ranges because it approaches the pebble seashore.
After a refreshing swim, proceed alongside the round path. The ascending path is waymarked and secured with fastened chains, bolted into the rock. The way in which up is steep, however protected. The views of the inlet develop more and more spectacular with each step.
This entire round hike takes greater than 20-Half-hour.
Really useful Tour from Chania: Full-Day Personal Seitan Limani Boat Tour from Chania
Eat Dinner in Koum Kapi Neighborhood
The seafront Koum Kapi neighborhood lies on to the east of the Venetian Harbor and the Previous City.
To savor this space’s native ambiance and vibrant café scene, observe the trail that wraps across the bay from Sabbionara Bastion to the eastern-end of Koum Kapi Seashore.
There isn’t any scarcity of waterfront eating choices. We opted for Maiami (Google Maps), a up to date brasserie set within the ceramic studio of Alexandra Manousakis, a unprecedented girl who additionally runs the Manousakis Vineyard.
How you can Lengthen this Chania Itinerary
Sougia Day Journey | Throughout our keep in Chania, Kati and I drove 1:20 hours to the seaside village of Sougia on the southwest coast. We hiked this Lissos Gorge loop path, a really perfect introduction to mountain climbing in Crete. After the hike, we ate a scrumptious meal at Smaragdus Fish Taverna. All in all, this was an incredible day journey, which we’d gladly repeat.
Elafonisi Seashore | On one other day, we additionally drove 1:30 hours from Chania to the celebrated Elafonisi Seashore. From the “pink sand seashore,” we hiked alongside the E4 to the neighboring Kedrodasos Seashore. Truthfully, I wouldn’t enterprise so removed from Chania to go to Elafonisi, except you actually need to dedicate the entire day to sunbathing and swimming. Really useful Tour from Chania: Day Journey to Elafonisi Island Pink Sand Seashore.
Balos Seashore | After visiting Elafonisi Seashore, we drove the anxiety-inducing street to the Balos Seashore automobile park. Given the street’s poor situation, it’s much better to take a ferry to this seashore. Try this Gramvousa Island & Balos Tour, Boat Tkt Further.
Samaria Gorge | The well-known Samaria Gorge is just open between Could and October. E book From Chania: Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Tour & Information.
Plakias | The seaside city of Plakias is a implausible base for exploring the southwest coast of Crete together with Aradena Gorge and Loutro – Candy Water Seashore. Although a day journey is possible, it’s much better to remain in Plakias a number of nights to absorb its stunning seashores and surrounding gorges. Tip: Drive to Plakias by way of Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
Extra Crete Journey & Mountain climbing Guides
Mountain climbing:
