Chania

Chania, with it's the Venetian Harbour, the old port, the narrow shopping streets and waterfront restaurants. is one of the most favourable places on Crete. It is a beautiful resort with old buildings, museums, churches and craft shops, clustered close to the magnificent harbour, wonderful at any time of the day or night. Some of Chania's old buildings are Roman and Turkish design, most of which have been destroyed by the unfortunate wars Crete has experienced.

Chania is the home to numerous modern bars, together with night clubs playing a wide range of music and stay open until morning. There are also beach bars on some of the beaches.

The Cylindrical stone tower, the Chania Lighthouse, was originally built by the Venetians and the present building was built by the Egyptians in 1840, giving it a distinct Egyptian touch, like the minaret like shape and the elegant steps that lead the balcony and the glass tower. Unfortunately, the light has not been operational for some time.

The old city of Chania has a selection of restaurants and tavernas, some occupying renovated houses or even in the open-air remains of old buildings. There are also plenty of bars and night spots and when the sun goes down, the lights of the cafes, restaurants and bars, come on.
As is usual, the most expensive restaurants have taken the best location along the waterfront, but it is well worth exploring the narrow streets behind, to find quieter, less expensive and more traditional tavernas.

One of the landmarks of Chania is the cross shaped covered market known as the "Agora". It was built in 1911-1913 after the model of the market of Marseilles and is unique in Greece. It is a very busy market selling fresh fish, meat and produce, and also houses several tiny restaurants cooking simple but tasty food. Definitely worth a try.

The elegant building of the Church of Agios Nikolaos in Chania was considered one of the most important in the city during Venetian times. During the Turkish occupation it was converted to a Mosque and the minaret of the Mosque stands beside the church although in desperate need of renovation. Although drastically renovated itself, the Church today stands very proud.

The wonderful Naval Museum (Maritime Museum) delivers a superb introduction to the History of Crete and is by no means only for maritime mavens, you will learn more here in half an hour than most could teach you, about the events that filled Crete's moving past.