Chania Old Venetian Harbour

Ενετικό Λιμάνι Χανίων

A harbour built by the Venetians in the 14th century, with an Egyptian-style lighthouse, pastel-coloured old houses, a mosque dome and seaside restaurants; Crete's most beautiful old town and sunset spot.

Chania is Crete's second-largest city. The old harbour, built by the Venetians during their rule from 1252 to 1645, is the island's most photogenic spot. On one side of the curved harbour are colourful Venetian houses and open-air restaurants. On the other side is the Küçük Hasan Mosque, built by the Ottomans in 1645 and now an exhibition hall, and at the end of the harbour stands the lighthouse, begun by the Venetians in the 16th century and rebuilt by the Egyptians in the 19th century. Walking along the breakwater for 15 minutes brings you to the foot of the lighthouse, a classic spot for watching the sunset over the old town. The Venetian Shipyard (Arsenali) on the east side of the harbour now houses a branch of the Maritime Museum, where you can see a reconstructed Minoan vessel. In the Firkas Fortress on the west side is the Maritime Museum, where you can climb the walls to look over the harbour. Highlights within the old town include the Topanas district (Venetian-style alleys and Skridlof leather street), the Etz Hayyim synagogue in the Jewish quarter, the ancient Splantzia Square and St. Nicholas Church (which has both a spire and a bell tower), the 1913 Municipal Market (cross-shaped, reopened after restoration following 2023), and the Archaeological Museum beside the old city walls. Harbourside restaurants are pricey, so walk deeper into the old town; Tamam (a converted Turkish bath) and To Xani are recommended. The evening is when the old harbour is busiest, with street performers and horse-drawn carriages. Getting there: Chania Airport (CHQ) is 15 kilometers from the city, about 30 minutes by airport bus. From Heraklion, KTEL buses take about 3 hours. The old town is good for 2–3 nights, serving as a base for visiting Samaria, Balos and Elafonissi.

Chania Old Venetian Harbour

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