Chania is one of Crete and Greece’s most beautiful and thriving cities. With its Venetian Harbour, winding old town and peaceful beach, Chania is the perfect holiday destination for a long weekend or a week away. The city is home to several historical attractions too, making it a great place to soak up some culture alongside relaxation. If you’re thinking of visiting Chania, Crete, then our list of top 10 things to do in Chania is a great way to discover what to do in Chania and plan your visit to this stunning part of Greece.
1. Walk The Venetian Harbour
Chania’s Venetian Harbour is the landmark of Chania and one of the most prized historical landmarks on the island of Crete. The harbour was built between 1320 and 1356 AD and was one of the most important trade ports in the Mediterranean. Many fortifications around the port area are still there today and can be admired while walking around the port. Today, the port is home to an array of restaurants, bars and shops and is the most thriving part of Chania city. Taking a stroll around this beautiful, historical harbour area is one of the best things to do in Chania to experience the best of the city. You can watch and follow our Chania Venetian Harbour walking tour video for the best route and sights along the harbour.
2. Sun And Swim At Neo Chora Beach
Neo Chora means New Town and this is the home of Chania’s town beach. The area was built in the 1800s so is still old but is new compared to the Venetian Harbour and Old Town. Neo Chora beach is an excellent town beach and is more popular with locals than tourists, as many do not venture out of the Old Town. It is a sandy beach with clear water suitable for both swimmers and children. The promenade adjacent to the beach is lined with cafes and fish restaurants alongside a small fishing harbour at one end, making a trip to the beach a perfect excuse to sample some fresh seafood and a have a drink. This is a great place to relax and enjoy a slightly more local side of Chania.
3. Discover Crete’s History At The Maritime Museum of Crete
The maritime museum of Crete is located at the west end of the Venetian Harbour in Chania. Alongside exhibits that highlight and explain the naval history in Crete, the museum also displays exhibits depicting Greece’s naval history. There is an array of model ships on display as well as nautical instruments, paintings, photographs and relics. For visitors interested in history and discovering more about Crete then the maritime museum should be top of your list of things to do in Chania.
- Opening times: 1st May – 31st October, Monday – Saturday from 09:00 – 16:00, 1st November – 30th April, Monday – Saturday from 09:00 to 15:40
- Tickets/Entry: €4 ($4) per adult, €3 ($3) per child or student
- Where to buy: On entry at the ticket desk
4. See The Lighthouse Of Chania
At the end of the pier on Chania’s long Venetian Harbour is the Chania Lighthouse, one of the top attractions in Chania. Originally built in the late 16th century, the lighthouse fell into disrepair during the Turkish occupation and was modified in the 1800s by Egyptian troops that were then occupying Crete. The original Venetian base of the lighthouse is still in place today. Although the lighthouse is no longer accessible by the public, it is still a prominent attraction in Chania and walking around the harbour to see the lighthouse up close is worth it.
5. Explore Chania Old Town
One of the best and most enjoyable things to do in Chania is to explore its wonderful old town which is connected to the Venetian Harbour front via small alleys and walkways. The old town is full of beautiful old buildings and a variety of small shops and restaurants. Among the small streets, there are many large squares home to fountains, monuments and churches, as well as a display of old ruins which show the history of Chania. If you want to see more of Chania and take the best route around its old town, check out our Chania Old Town walking tour video.
6. Visit The Archaeological Museum Of Chania
Recently relocated to the Chalepa district of Chania, the Archaeological Museum of Chania is now situated within a new, contemporary building that covers 6000sqm. The permanent exhibition at the museum is set out over several galleries which depict everyday human life in Chania starting from its beginnings in the prehistoric age. Displays cover many aspects of what life would have been like at various stages of history in Chania using artefacts and research. These include clothing, home and everyday house objects, occupations, war, trade, social life, entertainment and religion. For those interested in learning more about the history of Chania then this is one of the best things to do while visiting Chania.
- Opening times: Wednesday – Monday from 08:00 to 20:00, closed Tuesdays
- Entry/Tickets: €6 ($6) per adult, €3 ($3) per child
- Where to buy: On entry at the museum
7. Shop At Chania Market
Chania market, also known as the ‘Agora’ is situated on the edge of Chania Old Town and is a great place to buy local produce, souvenirs and ingredients. There are also a few small, basic cafes which offer local food at a reasonable price. The market was built between 1909 and 1913 and is shaped like a crucifix, with local vendors lining every side. *The market closed for renovations in January 2022 and will be closed for approximately 2 years.
- Opening times: Specific shop opening times vary but are generally Monday, Wednesday, Saturday from 08.00 – 14.00 and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08.00 – 21.00, closed Sundays
8. Visit The Cathedral Of Chania
The Cathedral of Chania was built by the Ottomans between 1850 and 1860 on the site of a former, small church. Located in Athinagora Square, the Cathedral sits in the heart of Chania’s old town and is surrounded by benches and cafes. During the Greco-Turkish war, in the late 1800s, the Cathedral was damaged but it was later restored by the Tsar of Russia, who also donated the bell. The Cathedral is split into three isles and has several icon paintings throughout that were painted by well-known Cretan icon painters of the 19th century.
- Opening times: Open daily
- Entry/Tickets: Free to enter inside
9. Botanical Gardens Of Crete
Located 18km from Chania, the botanical gardens are perfect for an afternoon trip away from the city to enjoy nature. The gardens can be reached in 30 minutes by car or taxi, or the local bus service KTEL runs a bus route there daily for €2.70 ($2.70) one way. Alongside a large selection of native Greek and Cretan plants, there are exotic plants and a lake. For animal lovers, ducks, geese, birds, peacocks and many butterflies can also be found within the grounds of the park. There is also a restaurant on site that serves Cretan cuisine with views overlooking the gardens.
- Opening times: Open daily from early March to the end of November from 09:00 – 20:30
- Entry/Tickets: €7 ($7) per adult (12+), €4 ($4) per child over 6 years old, free for children under 6 years old
- Where to Buy: At the ticket desk on entry
10. Take A Day Trip To Balos Beach And Lagoon
Located around 60km from Chania, Balos Beach and Lagoon is one of the most famous beach spots on Crete. With turquoise waters and white-pink sand, the beach here looks so exotic and beautiful and has become a popular tourist destination on the island. Unfortunately, the beach isn’t as easy to reach as you might think and involves either driving down many dirt tracks or taking a bus to Kissamos from Chania and then taking a boat from Kissamos to Balos. Many of the boats from Kissamos to Balos also stop at Gramvousa, making more of a day of sightseeing in the area but some do now only go to Balos. Many of the boats will allow passengers around 2-3.5 hours at Balos before departing for the return journey back to Kissamos and most offer lunch and drinks on board. Prices for boat trips only vary but are typically around €19-€27 ($19-$27) per person excluding lunch, and some offer to add lunch to the ticket price for an extra €5-€10 ($5-$10) per person.
That’s it for our top ten things to do in Chania, Crete, but there are much more activities to do across the area and on the island of Crete. For more top tips on visiting Chania, check out our Chania travel guide which includes detailed information on how to get to Chania, how to get around Chania, where to stay, when to go and what to eat.
Pin this article to save it for later or share it with others
Well-written article and packed-full of information. I’m planning to visit Crete next year so this will be very useful.
Thanks for the comment Ibti. Chania is a beautiful city and we definitely recommend visiting. We’ll have some articles up soon about Heraklion too so come back to check them out in the next few weeks!