A True Local’s Guide to the Best Things to Do in Chania Old Town

Chania Old Town is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. It is located in Crete’s northwest area and is an ideal starting point for your vacation in Western Crete.

Its characteristic old town is a symbol of its multicultural identity. It features beautiful alleys that add to the stunning views of the Venetian port and the lighthouse. I want to guide you through the best things to do in Chania town, a Mediterranean gem and a popular destination worth visiting.

I moved to this area of Crete in 2016 and got to know the city from a resident’s perspective, not a tourist’s. Thus, I learned many secrets and hidden spots in the historic old town of Chania that not everyone knows.

During the same year, I started my gastronomic experiences in town, which enhanced my knowledge of this gorgeous town. I know I can show you Chania like no other blogger will.

Not sure what to do in town? Here are some of the things I suggest. And if you’re not sure how long to stay, two days can be enough to see everything in the article. So stay around, bookmark the blog for more, and check out these great things only Chania Old Town can offer!

Agora, Chania’s Municipal Market

📍 Sofokli Venizelou Square

>> Local insight: Chania’s Municipal Market (Dimotiki Agora) is currently closed for renovations.

One of the best places to taste Chania’s gastronomic traditions is the Municipal Market or Dimotiki Agora, a large, historic building that houses the authentic staples of the Cretan diet. The Agora is Chania’s beating heart, it’s the place where locals and visitors alike can sample and buy key ingredients to prepare delicious Cretan dishes.

Inside the market, you will find local producers selling honey, cheese, bread, and herbs, as well as olive oil, snails, and fresh greens.

🎯 > Why are there so many souvenir shops in the food section? It’s not because of the tourists! Just join my Chania Food Experience and learn all the secrets!

The market has a long history. It stands on the place where once stood the main rampart of the Venetian fortifications (parts of these defensive walls are still visible in other parts of town. Unfortunately, the main gate to the old town had to be torn down to build the market.

Today, in a way, the market functions as a divider between the modern city and the historic district.

The building was completed during the second half of 1913. It was opened by Greece’s Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos (born in Chania) only three days after the unification of Crete with Greece (1913). The market was a gift to the citizens, especially women, who would otherwise rush from the port (to buy fish) to other areas in town to get all the ingredients they needed to cook their daily meals.

The building features a cross-shaped plant with four entrances. The main access is on the southern facade facing Sofokli Venizelou Square.

👣 > If you’re doing your own self-guided tour of Chania Old Town, I recommend the market as the starting point. Once you’re done with your visit, exit the market through the back door (northern facade towards the sea). This will put you right in the pedestrian streets of the old town, ready to explore the second tourist spot, the Road of the Boots.

📌 Are you skimming through the post and have no time to read it now? Save it on Pinterest and read it later!

Road of the Boots ~ Stivanadika

📍 Skridlof Street

Once out of the Municipal Market, head west to reach Skridlof Street, the Road of the Boots, the Road of the Leather, or Stivanadika.

Although today you will mainly find modern shops selling leather products such as bags, wallets, sandals, or jackets, this is a historic road that used to be the place where local bootmakers crafted the unique Cretan boot (known as stivania – στιβάνια).

The Cretan boot is a characteristic element of Cretan costume all over the island. Shepherds and farmers wear them as protective shoes for the rough mountainous terrain. The boot is also part of Crete’s traditional costume and is proudly worn on special occasions.

The boots can be black or dark brown, colors that better suit everyday wear. They are incredibly light and soft, with a special flexible area near the ankle.

These boots are still worn today, especially in rural areas, paired with wide baggy trousers known as vraka and the idiosyncratic sariki, a fringed headscarf very dear to local men.

You will also find the unique white stivania, which is used for dances and special occasions and is particularly loved by men from Chania. Boot artisans are now found in other parts of Crete, especially in traditional mountain villages such as Anogia in Rethymnon.

Unfortunately, just one last boot artisan (locally known as tsogari) remains on this street, and he is so old that he does not even make boots anymore. At the time of their retirement, just a few years ago, many of them had been making leather products for over sixty years!

The smell of leather is pungent and attractive here. You can purchase good-quality leather souvenirs; always check that the made-in-Greek label is present.

Walk to the end of this alley, always heading west to reach Chalidon Street, the Old Town’s thoroughfare where some other unique landmarks await.

Chalidon Street ~ Chania’s Thoroughfare

📍 Chalidon Street

At the end of the Road of the Boots, you will find Chalidon, the most important street in town. Get on this road and walk north towards the sea. In the area, you will find many shops, an interesting museum, some ancient buildings worth mentioning, and two of the most important landmarks in town. Chania’s Orthodox Metropolitan Church and, opposite, Chania’s Catholic Church. Let’s begin our walk along Chalidon Street.

PLATEIA MITROPOLEOS – PRESENTATION OF THE VIRGIN MARY METROPOLITAN CHURCH

Plateia Mitropoleos is one of Chania’s most important squares in the heart of town. It’s home to the church locals call the Church of Trimartyri, a Greek Orthodox church that is the cathedral of Chania.

It dates back to the last decades of the 1800s. The church stands on the grounds of a former church from the Venetian Era, probably from the 11th century, that became a storehouse serving a monastery across the street and that, later on, during the Ottoman Domination, became a soap factory.

The legend claims that one child of the factory owner, Mustapha Naili Pasha, an important statesman in town, fell into a well behind the factory, and they could not find him. In utter despair, his father prayed to the Virgin to save him, and in answering his prayers, the Virgin saved the child.

As a result, Pasha donated the site to the Orthodox community and the funds to build a church around 1860. In fact, the oldest icon inside the church bears the date 1863, even though the Ottomans left Chania a few years later, around 1898. This means this religious building was built while the Turks remained rulers on the island.

Trimartyri features a limestone facade, a bell tower, and impressive hand-carved wood doors. Inside, there are three aisles, each honoring three different entities.

The central aisle honors the Presentation of the Virgin (Eisodion tis Theotokou, in Greek), the northern aisle is dedicated to the Three Hierarchs, and the southern aisle (to the left) is consecrated to Saint Nicholas, thus compensating for the loss of Saint Nicholas Church (Agios Nikolaos) in Splantzia which, during the Turkish occupation was made into a mosque.

>> Celebrations: The church celebrates its day on November 21st, the day of the Presentation of the Virgin. Yet, all the most important celebrations in town take place in this square, including the Easter procession (Epitaphios), Christmas, and other local festivities.

Close to the square, an interesting building also features eleven small hemispherical domes and a larger one on its roof. It was one of the public hamams the Ottomans built in town. There used to be a portico surrounding the structure, but it disappeared during the week-long German bombardment in 1941. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CHANIA

Located opposite the Orthodox Cathedral, Chania’s Roman Catholic Church (46, Chalidon Street) is hidden behind a humble arched entrance.

You might not even notice it if you don’t spot the brass sign outside and a coat of arms of the Franciscan Capuchin monks engraved over the entrance.

The gorgeous church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built about a decade after Chania’s cathedral. To access the church, you must walk through one of the oldest Venetian buildings in town (take a look at the spectacular vaulted roofs!).

Once inside, just before the main entrance to the church, you will see a small patio bearing a statue of Saint Francis. In fact, the church is adjacent to the former Monastery of Agios Fragkiskos (Saint Francis), an old Venetian building (built around 1595) that used to house the city’s archaeological museum until recently. On this patio, you will also find access to Chania’s Folklore Museum (more on this place later).

But let’s go back to the Catholic Church! As you enter the temple, you will find a statue of the Virgin Mother on your left, where locals often leave small votive offerings known as tamata.

A tama is a metal plaque with an embossed image that symbolizes the favor requested or gratitude for a prayer that has been answered.

It’s curious to know that even when this is often considered a strictly Orthodox tradition, tamata are also present in Catholic churches like this one, and similar stone-carved votive objects were even found in Ancient Greek temples!

The three-aisled basilica, dating back to 1879, features Renaissance architectural features, sculptures of different saints, such as Saint Therese, and a few icons, like most Greek churches.

SAINT FRANCIS MONASTERY

A few steps down the road, if you keep walking towards the sea, you will find the old building of Saint Francis, a former monastery built at the end of the 16th century that used to belong to the Order of Friars Minor.

Unfortunately, the building closed its doors to the public after the Archaeological Museum, housed inside, moved to the neighboring district of Chalepa. But I can assure you it was one of the prettiest monuments in town, and we eagerly hope the municipality will open its doors again.

The monastery was a central building during Venetian times, but the Turks made it into a mosque (Yosuf Pasha Mosque) during the Ottoman Era (like they did with most buildings).

During WWII, the monastery also served as a cinema, a café, and a prison. Inside the monastery, German soldiers gathered and burned furniture, books, and other objects belonging to Chania’s Old Romaniote Synagogue. From 1963 until 2020, the place hosted Chania’s Archaeological Museum.

Today, you can still see part of the monastery’s cloisters -and its central, now abandoned, garden- from the nearby Boheme Restaurant. These grounds contain remnants of its Venetian past, such as an ancient Lion of Saint Mark statue and a fountain with lions, and from the Turkish era, such as the minaret-like fountain for ablutions.

CHANIA FOLKLORE MUSEUM

As I mentioned, the Catholic Church has a courtyard that houses the Folklore Museum of Chania. This small museum has a rich collection of traditional items representing how Cretans lived during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The exhibits include everything from old cooking utensils, furniture, and agricultural tools to wax dolls in traditional clothing. Most displays are hand-made or collected from traditional Cretan villages in the region, including work utensils, embroidery, and household objects. The museum owners have spent years gathering these unique objects and creating the exhibition.

The elements are displayed in different themed rooms, representing several everyday activities and aspects of life. For instance, you can see a cellar where Cretans used to store wine and a traditional bridal bedroom where the couple could legally sleep together for the first time.

Sintrivani Square

Heading along Chalidon to the port, you will come across Sintrivani Square (also known as Eleftherios Venizelos Square). The main landmark here is a marble fountain of Turkish origin, which gave the square its name (sintrivani means fountain in Turkish).

The original fountain was Venetian and a bit more elaborate than the one you can now see. Like most Venetian fountains (think of the Lions Fountain in Heraklion or the Lion Heads in Spili, for instance), it featured lion heads (parts of it are at the Archaeological Museum of Chania). Why? Well, remember that Saint Mark’s Lion symbolized the Venetian Republic!

Imagine, during Venetian times, this was the place where people would wait for and welcome ships from the Venetian fleet arriving in town.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the area was the most important gathering place in town, dotted with aristocratic cafés, sophisticated hotels, and even a casino. Back then, the square was known as Montenegrinis Square.

The square was also a political center, where many rebels and politicians gave speeches during the Cretan State (1898-1913), either in favor of or against the union with Greece.

If you pay close attention, you will notice an ancient Turkish fountain embedded in the corner of the limestone building on the corner of Chalidon and Zambeliou streets. And if you look up, you will see the rest of an ancient building. This was Chania’s first municipality building, but it’s now abandoned.

>> Although you might be now tempted to walk straight ahead and head to the port to see the Lighthouse. But trust me! It’s better to turn left (west) on Zambeliou Street to access the Jewish Quarter and then the district of Topanas. Worry not; my walking tour of Chania will show you the Venetian Harbor later. Be patient!

Zudecca

Walking left from the square along Zambeliou Street will take you to the heart of the old town, which is made of narrow alleys and ancient Venetian mansions with characteristic limestone arches and a few steps at the entrance.

One of the first buildings that will call your attention is an impressive Cretan mansion with thick stone walls and a large gate (that once accessed a patio).

You will recognize the building because it houses a ceramic store (Praktoras Ceramics) where you can even attend pottery lessons. However, during my walks in town, I always invite tourists to enter the store, as it might be one of the last remaining buildings from Venetian times that has not been made into a boutique hotel.

This allows you to appreciate the Venetian architectural style, made of thick limestone walls and typical Venetian arches (a combination of Gothic lancet arches with Byzantine and Ottoman influences).

>> The thick limestone walls were the best protection against the elements. They would keep the houses warm in winter and cool in summer!

When you reach the end of Zambeliou Street, make it left (south) and walk on Kondylaki Street. This is the heart of the former Jewish Quarter, also known as Zudecca or Ebraiki. The area is one of my favorite places in town and is home to a dense, interesting history that many locals are unaware of… The history of the Jews of Crete.

Kondylaki Street, which extends up to the sea, was an important thoroughfare during Venetian and Ottoman times; it was wider than other alleys. This road was home to an important Sefardi Synagogue, Bet Shalom, and several archaeological findings prove it also housed a Jewish kindergarten at the end of the road.

Although this synagogue was lost during the Nazi Occupation, you can still find remnants of Chania’s Jewish past.

You will notice a small alley that takes you to a backstreet called Parodos Kondylaki (parodos meaning secondary entrance in Greek). Over here, you will find the last remaining synagogue in Crete.

This smaller synagogue, Kal Kadosh Etz Hayyim, functioned as a Roman Catholic Church in Venetian times, located in a 15th-century Venetian building. However, the Ottomans gave it to the Jewish community and converted it into a Synagogue.

Due to different political factors, the island Jews started to emigrate by the end of the 19th century. In 1941, only the Chania community (about 300 people) remained.

Unfortunately, one morning in May 1944, during the Nazi occupation of the city, all Jewish inhabitants were gathered by the German forces and arrested. The tragedy took place so quickly that nobody had the time to escape.

The neighbors were sent to Heraklion to board the ship Tanais, probably destined to reach a concentration camp in Germany. However, the whole community perished on the ship, which was mistakenly torpedoed by British forces on its way to Athens.

After long works of restoration, the synagogue re-opened its doors in 1999. Few visitors know the Jewish community’s importance during the island’s different occupation eras. The Jews of Crete were direct witnesses of the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Venetian, and Ottoman occupations of Crete but -most importantly- were a vital part of the Cretan society.

Today, visiting the Etz Hayyim complex is an authentic ticket to the oldest part of town. The interior has the traditional layout of other Romaniote communities. Inside, you can see a mikvah, or traditional ritual bath, and two courtyards, one containing the tombs of two rabbis.

THE TEMPLE SHOP

After visiting the Synagogue, return to Zambeliou Street and head west until you reach the corner in Skoufon Street. Over here, we will stop for a few minutes to visit a very special souvenir shop. Do not worry; we won’t buy any trinkets.

We will take a look at a former Catholic Church that had a minaret added during Turkish times (today, the minaret is gone) and that features inside the ancient limestone staircase to reach the top of the minaret for the Call of the Prayer.

When restoration works started to build the souvenir shop on the premises, several ancient tombs were found on the ground. These are now visible since the shop features a glass floor, leaving all archaeological findings open to the public.

On one corner inside the shop, you can see the former mihrab, the niche indicating the direction to Mecca. Outside of the building, where there are still the remains of three fountains used for ablutions in the Ottoman Era before accessing the mosque.

>> About ten meters from the store, there’s one of the best restaurants in town, Tamam. Another old building was once a Turkish Hammam. This building was a public bath already during Venetian times, dating back to the 15th century. I will share more insights about this building on my Chania Day Walk!

Topanas

📍 Zambeliou, Skoufon, Moschon, Theotokopoulo Streets

MOSCHON, THEOFANOUS, AND THEOTOKOPOLOU STREETS

Although most of the old town has clear Venetian influences, west of Chalidon Street is where you will find the most authentic buildings dating from the Venetian era.

Heading up Zambeliou Street, you can climb staircases to reach the rest of Chania’s Western Gate, Porta, or you can turn right on Moschon Street to pass under the Renieri Gate, check out a former tiny chapel that belonged to an aristocratic Cretan-Venetian family. Today, it is part of one of the best boutique hotels in Chania.

At the end of the road, the Porto del Colombo Hotel is what we call the skyscraper of the Old Town. This imposing building, respecting the purest Venetian architecture, was once the French Embassy and a library.

However, it was better known for being one of the residences of former Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos. In the same area, the fantastic Casa Delfino Hotel has a curious history that I share in this article, as well as my walking experiences.

This part of Chania’s Old Town is one of the most picturesque areas. Thanks to the initiative of several hotels and shops, it has been steadily renovated. Its narrow streets feature Venetian mansions from the 16th century.

Some houses have a clear Ottoman influence, such as the characteristic hai-arti (or Harem room). This was a projecting wooden facade, usually on the first or second floor of the building, added to the Venetian buildings during the Turkish occupation.

Follow Theofanous Street up the Staircase to reach Theotokopolou Street, which marks the western end of the old town.

Follow this road towards the sea and turn left at the former San Salvatore Bastion, towards the Lighthouse. It’s time to visit the next landmarks: Firkas Fortress and the Venetian Harbor.

Firkas

📍Plateia Talou & Akti Kontourioti

Another place of historical relevance for the city is the massive stone structure that—in a way—closes the Venetian Harbor: Firkas Fortress. The structure proudly stands on the Venetian waterfront. Part of the structure houses the Maritime Museum of Crete (the second-oldest Maritime Museum in Greece.

Built by the Venetians under the name Revellino del Porto, its main goal was to protect the harbor and its entrance. Construction began in 1610 and was finished just a few years before the city was conquered by the Ottoman Empire (1645).

The fortress has ammunition magazines, barracks, and the offices of the city’s army Commander in Chief. The waterfront side features six arched openings where cannons were once located.

After a two-month siege, the Turks conquered Chania, and the fortress was mainly used as a barracks (in fact, its present name comes from the Turkish word firka, which stands for barracks). The Ottomans established prison cells here.

The fortress holds extreme historical significance as it was the first place on the island where Prime Minister Venizelos raised the Greek flag. This occurred on the corner watch tower on December 1st, 1913, after the Unification of Crete (Enosis). The ceremony marked the end of centuries of occupations on Cretan soil.

MARITIME MUSEUM OF CRETE

📍 Firkas Fortress

The Museum has an interesting collection related to the Battle of Crete (1941) and a permanent exhibition of traditional shipbuilding.

A second exhibition (part of the Maritime Museum) housing the Permanent Exhibition of Ancient and Traditional Shipbuilding is located a few minutes from the fortress, inside Shipyard Moro, one of the Venetian Arsenals. The entrance for the whole complex is €2, and the opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Venetian Harbor

📍 Akti Kountourioti

The main highlight in town, currently a place to go for a walk or a drink, is the Venetian Harbor. The place clearly witnessed Chania’s crucial importance during Crete’s Venetian Era (1204–1669).

The eastern basin of the harbor was designed for boat building and repairs. Imported goods were unloaded on the west basin and then transported by donkey to warehouses. The Venetian Navy built Chania’s harbor between 1320 and 1643.

Known as the Venice of the East, La Canea, or Chania as it was then, was the capital of Crete and the second most important harbor after Venice. It hosted up to 40 Venetian fleet galleys that controlled the naval trade in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The harbor never enjoyed a favorable position due to its exposure to strong northern winds (in fact, the area can still flood with winter storms). By the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, its importance diminished as large ships began to use the deep, natural harbor in Souda Bay.

Today, the Old Venetian Port of Chania features restaurants and shops in what used to be the storage areas of ancient Venetian Mansions and a few boutique hotels.

Egyptian Lighthouse

📍 Venetian Harbor

Opposite the harbor, the imposing Chania lighthouse is one of the main landmarks you don’t want to miss. Locally known as Faros, this is considered the oldest existing lighthouse in Greece and one of the oldest in the world.

The Venetian Navy constructed the lantern in the sixteenth century to safeguard Chania’s harbor. Chania’s Venetian Lighthouse is, in fact, known as the Egyptian Lighthouse. The structure collapsed in a storm during the early nineteenth century due to years of neglect by the Turks.

However, it was rebuilt between 1824 and 1832 by Egyptian soldiers stationed on the island, who rebuilt the structure and redesigned the lighthouse, giving it the shape of a minaret

Yiali Tzamii Mosque

📍 Venetian Harbor

The only remaining mosque in town is Yiali Tzamii (meaning the mosque by the sea), which has been known in history by different names: the Mosque of the Janissaries, Küçük Hasan Mosque (meaning small mosque), and Yiali Tzamii Mosque.

Considered the oldest Muslim structure in Crete, it was built on the foundations of an old Venetian church. It was a place of prayer exclusive for the Janissaries, the Turkish soldiers stationed around the island to keep law and order.

Rather than merely soldiers, the Janissaries were the Christian sons that the Ottomans captured in different conquered countries and converted into their faith. This mosque dates back to the beginning of the Ottoman occupation (around 1645) and stands on one of the ends of the Venetian Harbor.

The building has a very distinctive central dome, as well as four smaller domes of Neoclassical design. For centuries, a fine minaret stood in one of the corners, alongside an enclosed courtyard with palm trees and a fountain. However, the minaret was lost during the last century.

Today, the mosque functions as an art gallery and exhibition center.

Neoria ~ Arsenali

📍 Chania Marina

Once you’ve seen the mosque, walk east next to the waterfront to reach the Chania Marina, home to the former Venetian Shipyards or Arsenali.

These impressive Venetian dry docks line the eastern basin of the harbor. The buildings, originally seventeen, were built between 1461 and 1599. They would have one open entrance towards the sea, pulling the ship out from the water.

These long, vaulted shipyards housed the Eastern Mediterranean Venetian fleet and served for shipbuilding and ship repairs.

The most important shipyard (neoria) is the Grand Arsenal (now home to the Center of Mediterranean Architecture). A few meters from this imposing stone building, you will see seven more Venetian Shipyards, most abandoned.

Take a look at the building hosting Pallas Restaurant. It dates back to 1830 and was the home of Ali Pasha, a ruler during the Ottoman occupation.

At the end of the promenade, the Moro Shipyard is the last of the remaining Venetian arsenals, now housing both Chania’s Sailing Club and part of the Maritime Museum.

This area, also called the new marina, is now another favorite place for sunset gatherings and drinks by the sea.

Ancient Stone Wall

📍 Chania Marina

The Venetians built the ancient sea wall facing the Marina to protect the port further. As I’ve said, northern winds often hit Crete’s northern coast, making it unfavorable for a harbor.

As you walk along the ancient stone wall, you will be able to have a complete view of Chania’s Marina and the Venetian Harbor, admire the lighthouse from a close distance, and get one of the best views of the old town, so don’t forget your camera

Although not every visitor follows this walk, it’s interesting to follow the road at the end of the Moro Shipyard to reach the base of the Egyptian Lighthouse. Alternatively, if you prefer to skip this part, head directly to the road behind the waterfront (Kanevaro Street) to explore the Turkish District, Splantzia.

Minoan Kydonia

📍 Kanevaro Street

One of the most outstanding parts of Chania is located in the area known as Kastelli Hill on Kanevaro Street. This is where Chania originally started as a seaside settlement, and part of the ancient Byzantine walls surrounding the place still stand.

Unfortunately, most of this part was heavily bombed during WWII, and many buildings were lost. However, after the bombing, cleaning and restoration work started, bringing to light one of the fascinating findings: the remains of Ancient Kydonia, a settlement probably dating back to the Minoan Times.

On the corner of Kanevaro and Kantaloneon Streets, you can observe the biggest of these partial excavations. Archaeologists believe there probably was a major Minoan palace and town beneath the modern city of Chania. However, excavating the city is not easy, as the city grew through the centuries, building the towns layer over layer, all belonging to different historical periods (Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman periods).

This area was occupied from the beginning of the Early Minoan period, and it is known that Kydonia housed a Middle Minoan where Kamares pottery and other findings, such as various clay tablets written in Linear A (the same used on the Phaistos Disc) were discovered in what were possibly houses from the neopalatial period.

Turkish Splantzia

Splantzia, or the Turkish Quarter, is one of the most beautiful corners of the old town. It’s located on the eastern side of the historic district, and it offers plenty of places to see and fantastic things to do.

For that reason, I’ve always thought that the area deserved an article, which you can read if you want to explore this part of town in depth >> Best Things to Do in Splantzia, Chania.

This district flourished at the beginning of the 19th century, with the arrival of hundreds of families from Asia Minor (after the Treaty of Laussane, although deportations began a few years before the treaty), making the area known as the Turkish Quarter.

An event that neighbors still recall with recognition and pride. Yet, Splantzia also underwent tremendous devastation as a result of the Nazi bombing of the city in May 1941.

Time passed, the quarter recovered, and every bit of history was embroidered on this colorful arras, still known as Splantzia.

Below, you will find some of the unmissable landmarks in Splanzia.

Road of the Knives ~ Maxairadika

📍 Sifaka Street

A few meters from Kanevaro Street, walk along Katre Street to arrive at Sifaka Street or the Road of the Knives. Locally known as Maxairadika, Sifaka Street has a relaxed atmosphere and tiny, colorful cafés and bars.

On this road, you will find the last workshop that makes and sells Cretan traditional knives, O Armenis. The artisan, Michalis Pahtikos, son of a former knifemaker, once told me he remembers there were at least 5 other bladesmiths on this road in the past.

Just as the boots (stivania), the knife (maxairi) is also an object of primary importance for Cretans. In the past, Cretan men would carry one or two knives in their waist. One of them for their food, but another and most important one, to defend themselves, the war knife.

These knives boast unique handles made of horn or wood with a distinctive bird-peak or fork shape specially made to have a steadier hold. Many of these knives would present a dent on the blade, which some said would allow more oxygen in a wound.

However, the main characteristic of the Cretan knife blade is the Cretan poem or song engraved on it, the mantinada (μαντινάδα). An inscription that usually celebrates the beauty of the Cretan landscape.

Traditional knife-making in Chania flourished after the Ottomans took over. Many were established on this street in Splantzia, facing the ancient Byzantine walls; at the beginning, shop owners were Turks and Armenians, but soon after, Cretans learned the art and opened their own workshops. This made the craft evolve into an authentic local art.

Not only men had knives with them. Cretans made smaller, thinner knives for women to defend and protect their honor. These knives were often given as engagement tokens.

As you walk along Sifaka Street, it is a good idea to wander in the alleys of this unique district, heading to Sarpaki Street to see one of the most enchanting gardens at the Well of the Turk restaurant or visiting the tiny Agia Catherina Chapel.

Minaret of Ahmet Aga

📍 Chatzimichali Ntaliani Street

A few minutes from the Road of the Knives, Daliani Street (Chatzimichali Ntaliani) can be one of the busiest places to eat in Chania at night. I often recommend that travelers who want authentic and reasonably priced Cretan food avoid the more tourist-geared Venetian Port (except for a few exceptions).

Over here, you will also find the Minaret of Ahmet Aga, one of the two minarets that still dot the local skyline. Unfortunately, the minaret adjacent to a factory that would make ropes for the port is closed to the public.

Opposite the minaret, an old Venetian monastery from the 16th century hosts one of the coolest places to hang out: The Monastery of Karolo, where you can visit different art exhibitions or have a glass of wine in the former monastery’s courtyard.

As you can see, the city’s rich history easily mixes different architectural styles. Splantiza is the perfect example, portraying the several civilizations that once conquered and lived on the island, with ancient Venetian townhouses adorned with Turkish balconies.

>> Curious fact: Did you know that Chania was the capital of Crete until 1971? I can tell you more about it during my half-day Walk in the Old Town.

Splantzia Square and Saint Nicholas

📍 Plateia 1821

The focal point in Splantzia is the so-called Splantzia Square, although its official name is 1821 Square. The place was a central area during the Ottoman Era, where social life and political debates often occurred.

Around the square, you can see two churches: the small Saint Rocco, which used to be a Christian chapel and is now deconsecrated and functions as an exhibition center, and the imposing Agios Nikolaos.

One of Chania’s main churches, Agios Nikolaos, was taken during the Ottoman Era and transformed into the city’s main mosque, Hunkar Camii. Its minaret with two balconies still stands as part of the structure and is probably the highest building in town (although its tip is missing). It also dates back to Ottoman rule.

Although some celebrate the church as a symbol of two religions living in harmony, I prefer to remain respectful to the past of my city and see it for what it actually is: A minaret imposed on a church during the Ottoman occupation symbol of the oppression the locals underwent during the Ottoman Era.

Agios Nikolaos is the remaining main church of a former Dominican monastery, dating back to 1320. The old tower bell and wooden roof have been replaced in modern times.

Koum Kapi

Finally, the last place to see in town is this small neighborhood that’s technically out of the old town, as it grew adjacent to the defensive walls and of Chania’s eastern gate, Porta Rethymniota (or also Porta Sabbionara – because it was next to a sand beach, sabbia is the Italian for sand).

This small neighborhood features a fantastic seaside promenade dotted with little bars and old cafés. It is one of the places locals prefer when they want to hang out for a coffee or a drink with friends.

Chania Tours

Chania is one of those destinations where you can discover a lot on your own. One of the best ways to learn about the city is probably to use the old technique of grabbing a map and moving around without rushing. However, a tour led by a local can give you a richer, more rewarding experience. This kind of experience offers a more organized sightseeing activity.

TOURS AND EXPERIENCES IN CHANIA I SUGGEST

• Let’s meet! If you are interested in the local traditions and island gastronomy, join my Chania gastronomic experience. And the best part? You can book all year round. I love to show visitors the hidden gems of the old town while sampling some of the most delicious Cretan treats. >> I will happily guide you through more than these things to do in Chania with my Taste of Crete.
  
• >> MORNING TOUR
• >> SUNSET TOUR

You can check out these tours if I’m not available on your requested date:

• Chania Old Town: Artisans & Sightseeing Walking Tour

• Old Town Highlights Guided Tour with Street Food

• Chania: City Highlights Small-Group Bike Tour

Where is Chania and How to Get There

Chania is Crete’s second-most important city and the capital city of the western Chania region It is located on the northern coast of the island. You can arrive in Chania by plane (International Airport of Chania CHQ) or by ferry (Port of Souda). 

FROM CHANIA AIRPORT TO CHANIA TOWN

By car, it takes 20 to 25 minutes to get to the city center from the airport (15 km/9.3 miles). At the arrivals hall, you will find car rental offices from which to choose. >> Here’s a foolproof guide to renting a car in Crete.

You can also get to town by taxi, with a flat fare of €30.

Bus transportation is cheaper, but the ride might take about an hour. It will arrive at Chania’s public bus station in the city center.

>> The bus service operates from 06.00 to 22.45.

The ticket is €2.50, and special fares are available for students and people with a disability card. You can buy your ticket with cash from vending machines or directly on the bus. >> Here’s a helpful guide to bus travel in Crete.

FROM SOUDA PORT TO CHANIA TOWN

Souda is located 6.5 km east of the city center. The night ferries departing from Piraeus arrive at about 6 OR 6.30 a.m. every morning (departing from Athens at night). In summer, there are also daytime services. At the port, you will find the bus station for the bus to Chania (6.5 km). You can buy the ticket from the automatic machines (€1.50) or directly on the bus (€2). You will reach Chania Bus Station in about 25 minutes.

FROM HERAKLION OR RETHYMNON TO CHANIA TOWN

If you land in Heraklion (International Airport of Heraklion), the best option is to rent a car. You can also take the bus from the Central Bus Station (one-way ticket: €15.10). The trip lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes. >> Here’s a useful guide to help you get from Heraklion to Chania.

If you stay in Rethymnon instead, the bus departs from Rethymno Bus Station. The ticket is €8.60, and the trip lasts about an hour. Buses depart every hour. Check the bus company website and timetables for this and many other destinations in Crete.

Things to Do in Chania Region

Read my guide to the whole region of Chania, it’s the best way to learn more about the different things you can do in the area, including:

• Discovering the White Mountains (or Lefka Ori).
• Hiking Samaria Gorge (or other breathtaking deep gorges in Crete) is one of the most challenging hikes in Crete.
• Discovering Chania’s Public Gardens.
• Learn more about delicious food in the local taverns.
• Checking the archaeological site of Ancient Aptera
• Exploring the famous beaches in the Chania prefecture, including Balos, Falasarna, Elafonisi, or Sougia.
• Going wine tasting at some of the best local wineries, including Manousakis Winery and Dourakis Winery.
• Visiting the blue flag sandy beaches in Akrotiri.
• Checking the local olive groves and olive oil producers such as Agia Triada Monastery.

>> Discover Chania with a local guide… discover it with me!

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Best Things to Do in Chania Crete Old Town

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