chania old town things to do

We started our trip to Crete in Chania (), also known as Hania where we flew into. Evgenia, By bus is a cheaper option but the ride might take about an hour. Chanias Venetian Lighthouse or Egyptian Lighthouse resembles the shape of a minaret. Chania Crete lies on the westernmost side of Crete Island and is one of the four capital towns of Crete. Complete with sunbeds and umbrellas to hire plus a canteen for snacks, Elafonissi is ideal for families with kids due to the warm, shallow sea. You can buy the ticket from the automatic machines (1.50) or directly on the bus (2). The pedestrian-only streets are lined with historical buildings with Venetian, Ottoman and neoclassical influences. Fort Firkas / Chania Maritime Museum. As we wandered around Gabi chatted with the stallholders and translated for us. It was one of the public hamams the Ottomans built in town. LUGGAGE STORAGE: Store your bags for the day. A 2-hour segway tour of Chania - Discovery of the Old Port and the Old Town. If you land in Heraklion (International Airport of Heraklion), the best option is to rent a car. The waters are excellent, with a well-organized beach with sunbeds, umbrellas, changing rooms, showers, and a lifeguard. Hiking Samaria Gorge is one of the top things you can do in Chania Crete! Walking tours are my favorite way to explore a new city right when I arrive. Run by a group of local friends, who show you around Chania and tell you all about Chanias culture and history. It all depends on how fast you walk I suppose. Experiencing the old town of Chania is all about wandering around, observing the buildings and allowing yourself to "feel" the spirit of the place. Some of these hotels didnt seem open just yet (as it was the very beginning of the season), but they can help you get in the mood of doing this research yourself. The week-long German bombardment in 1941 flattened all structures in this area. The Most Amazing Things to Do in Chania Old Town - The Tiny Book If you want to learn how to cook healthy Mediterranean dishes, this cooking class tour is a must! Originally there were 17 arsenals in a vaulted terrace and 3 other separate ones. This is not only one of the best spots for a panoramic picture of the port and the lighthouse, but its also one of Cretes most significant places. Most houses in the area retain a Venetian architectural style. For a glimpse into the interior architecture of Firkas, visit the Maritime Museum of Chania, hosted inside the fort. The Jewish District is easily identified by its wider streets. Dont skip the modern part of Chania, thinking that all the fun and sightseeing is in the Old part of the town. It's the oldest inhabited area of Chania dating back about 5,000 . The eastern basin of the harbor was designed for boat building and repairs. Id come to the old town to have my morning coffee, then Id go for a very long walk on some of the beaches near Chania Town such as Stalos and Agia Marina. 47 Chania Sights & Attractions | Greeka In the past, Cretan men would carry one or two knives. 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. You will reach Chania Bus Station in about 25 minutes. p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); Its part of Chania prefecture, one of the four regional units of Crete. Another interesting trace of the Ottoman past of the island can be found in the gardens of the former Archaeological Museum (once Agios Fragiskos monastery and then Yosuf Pasha mosque). AIRPORT PICKUP: Book your airport transfer here. Today, the synagogue is a popular tourist attraction in Chania, for Jews and non-Jews alike. On the Square, you will see the historic centuries-old plane tree (used by the Turks for exemplary executions) and the church of Agios Nikolaos. This town looks charming, but I especially love the harbor! It seems that Chania was always one of the most popular destinations in Greece. The foundations of the lighthouse lie on natural rocks and it reaches a height of 21 meters. Kidlof Streetis also known as The Leather Street or Lane. There is also a caf-restaurant serving traditional Cretan dishes prepared from the park's own seasonal products. s.async = true; Chania Old Town, Crete - All You Need To Know BEFORE You Go - Viator Just take a look at these Chania photos and tell me you dont like them! I mentioned the Municipal Market (Agora) briefly in my Taste of Crete tour review above. Have I missed anything good that there is to see and do there?Travel Resources for Chania in Crete, GreecePlanning your trip to Chania in Crete, Greece? In the event of attacks, the Venetians would shut down the port with a chain that from the lighthouse, would reach the Firka fortress. On the north coast in western Crete, this is one of Greece's most beautiful towns. Dominating the entrance of the old harbour is the 21-metre-tall Venetian lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the world. This area is also divided into different quarters or neighborhoods. Hopefully, we can visit these on our next trip to Chania and be able to update the post with more information on them. In the area of Akrotiri you can find some of the oldest, richest, and most imposing monasteries in Chania: After seeing the monasteries, head forStavros Bayfor a swim at the sandy beach where Anthony Quinn danced in the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. The distances in Chania town are not big, and if you are in a normal physical condition it would take a couple of hours max to cover most of it. However, Chania gained its present layout in the 13th century under the Venetians (1204-1645), who fortified it and made it the island's capital. Exploring Historic Chania Old Town - Crete | Exit45 Travels Surrounded by history it stands tall in a capital city Vilnius. Chania is divided into two distinct areas, the old town and the modern and larger one. In the heart of Chania old town a little lane leads to Kal Kadosh Etz Hayyim Synagogue. By 558HenrikS. Your email address will not be published. The museum displays a wealth of Minoan ceramics, painted burial urns, gold jewelry, and clay tablets with inscriptions. Chania has a stunning harbour, one of the most beautiful in Greece, with magnificent sunsets out to sea in one direction and the imposing White Mountains in the other. Taste it, if you have the chance. Hi! Located near the sea, Chania offers multiple beaches right in the city. Copyright 2023 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. We tried bread, honey, cheese, olive oil, grape syrup and rakomelo, a Cretan liqueur that combines the spirit tsikoudia and honey. I spent a couple of months on the island, but I only had the chance to walk in Chania for 3-4 times. The Archaeological Museum of Chania is housed in the Venetian Church of St. Francis, which used later as a Turkish mosque. To the east, theres Koum Kapi Beach, rocky and extremely narrow, accessible via stairs. As you can imagine, we didnt feel the urge to swim in those waves. A private guided tour of Chania on foot for 4 hours with a local guide - Including tastings of local products (olive oil, cheeses, wines). THE 10 BEST Things to Do in Chania Town Things to Do in Chania Town Popular things to do Day Trips Wine Tastings Churches & Cathedrals 4WD Tours Cultural Tours Points of Interest & Landmarks Private Sightseeing Tours Dining Experiences Nature and Wildlife Tours Historical Tours Sporting Events Airport & Hotel Transfers Top Picks The Venetian Harbour, especially, is very beautiful by night, with its colorful lights, the lighthouse, and the animated atmosphere. Sometimes goats from the surrounding mountains visit the beach. Whilst the traditional Greek meat pie (lamb) we shared in one of the central harbourside restaurants was very tasty, it was also very expensive. Elafonissi island is located 76km/47 mi southwest ofChaniaand 5km south ofChrysoskalitisa Monastery on the southwesternmost tip of Crete. Seven impressive Venetian dry docks line the eastern basin of the harbor. Wonderful post! Chanias old town is divided into several distinct districts, each with its own appearance and atmosphere. The rubble was cleared away in the 1950s and out of it, pottery restssubsequently identified as Minoan which convinced archaeologists that this site was, in fact,Minoan Kydonia. Its on our list for our next visit to Crete though. Just 20 minutes far from Chania town (25 km) lie 37 beautiful villages, around the Lefka Ori Mt, the Apokoronas villages. Some links are affiliate links, this means that if you click on a link and purchase an item, I might receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. From there, there are stunning views of the sun dropping down behind the lighthouse. It makes a challenging hike of 5-7 hours, most of it is downhill and I would suggest you go with a local group. there are ferries leaving every day to Chania from Athens main port, Piraeus. 26 Exciting & Best Things to Do in Chania, Crete and Its Surroundings Did you know theres also a Lighthouse in the Old Venetian Harbor of Rethymnon? Home | Chania Old Town (Best Things To Do in the Venetian Harbor in 2023). During summer there are 2 options of ferries to choose from: If you arrive by ferry, the Chania port is 6 km far from the town. Try to extend your trip slightly if possible, so you have time to explore as much as possible that this captivating city has to offer. It's interesting to note that a majority of the items are grown on Crete. Despite the traces that the centuries gone by had left on the building, details of finely carved arches and walls are still visible. You can see the lighthouse from everywhere along the harbor. ACCOMMODATION: Find affordable hotels and rental homes here. If youd like to read some of the most fascinating legends and stories behind the walls of these buildings, dont miss the best 10 historical hotels in Chanias old town. Tip: Nearby is the beautiful sandy beach of Falasarna, an exotic and organized beach. An exceptional hotel in Kaliviani is the Kaliviani Traditional Hotel. Another contender for long-term travel insurance is SafetyWing, which you can pay for on a month-by-month basis. eSIM: Stay always connected with affordable roaming fees. is an authentic ticket to the oldest part of town. Also known as the Street of the Knives, Sifaka Street is one of the best places for a night walk. FLIGHTS: Use Skyscannerto find affordable plane tickets. 1. Chania Crete holidays are very popular among Europeans who visit Crete and in particular Chania, year after year. Have not been to Crete yethihg on the list. 3. The old Turkish Hammam situated on Halidon 33 and Sarpaki was one of three public hammams (baths) built in Chania during the Ottoman era. There is a 1 euro toll to access the beach. This entire stretch of coast is protected by a breakwater, and on its tip stands a lighthouse-it was designed by an Egyptian architect in 1839 and is strangely reminiscent of a minaret. Before booking accommodation in Chania, check reviews on Tripadvisor. Thats amazing to discover this part of Crete! Today, the Old Venetian Port of Chania is lined up with interesting culinary proposals, ranging from traditional Greek taverns to sophisticated Cretan cuisine. Jewish District/ Ovraiki previously known as Zudecca, was occupied for centuries by Chanias Jewish community. However, the German bombing in 1941 left no traces of them. Wine tasting in Chania. 10 Best Things to Do in Chania - Hotels.com Here, its possible to find the Minaret of Ahmet Aga, one of the two surviving minarets in town, and a remnant of our Ottoman rule. And one more question. Inside theres stall upon stall selling all kinds of local produce. For centuries, a fine minaret stood in one of the corners, alongside an enclosed courtyard with palm trees and a fountain. Taste of Crete its right up my alley too. I hope that you get the chance to try as many as possible. You'll find it at the western corner of the old harbor in a lovely red building constructed by the Venetians and used as a prison. There are shady spots surrounded by Greek herbs such as mint and thyme where you can rest and enjoy a coffee or a meal. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); July 2020 - Present:Living and Travelling in Greece, October 2021:Travelling in TurkeyVisiting UK, November - December 2021:Travelling in Mallorca, Spain, 2022:Travelling in Czechia, Budapest, Thailand and Malaysia. There are some pretty churches you can spot in Chania when walking the alleys of the old town, these are the ones you cannot miss! Today, it hosts important cultural events and artistic exhibitions, The Sabbionara Rampart or as widely known by its Turkish name, Sandy Nea Chora Beach, less than 1 km west of Chania town with plenty of fish taverns, Sandy Agioi Apostoloi, 5 km west of Chania town, with a chapel (Saint Apostles) on the peninsula.
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