Top Things to do in Chania Town
Top 10 Things to do in Chania Town, Greece
Much of the old town district of Chania was developed around its harbor, which was built by the Venetians during the 14th century. Its lighthouse still proudly overlooks the Mediterranean. Here you’ll find several cinemas and historical attractions like the Archaeological Museum, a collection of Minoan and Roman artifacts that’s housed in the former Monastery of Saint Francis. Word nerds will especially enjoy the Museum of Typography.
Restaurants in Chania Town
1. Greek National Football Museum
Overall Ratings
5 based on 385 reviews
A unique Museum, the biggest one for a National Football Team, the Greek National Football Team, which was European Champions in 2004, located in the Old City of Chania and has over 1000 exhibits, balls from World Cup and Euro games, official shirts, photos and thw whole history of Greek football.
Reviewed By clairestraveltales
The owner clearly has a love for football and his collection of memorabilia, for which he has needed to extended the premises so he can display it all properly. After learning I am a Liverpool fan, he produced a reds shirt of his own for me to try on and photograph. There was something magical about Greece winning the Euro's in 2004 and this is captured in this museum. There is even some grass from the oitch! No entrance fee but there is donation box which I was very happy to contribute to.
2. Agii Apostoli Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 643 reviews
Reviewed By Susiethebaker - Newton stewart
Clean beach with crystal clear water. Wonderful in late afternoon when the sun hits the far corner of the sand and young children dash about, building sand Castles and playing in the shallows.
No lifeguard station on this beach and although it seems very safe, once out in deep water, the headlands and the island opposite Agia Maria can cause undertow and rips. Be careful.
As with many Beaches in Chania region these days, there are too many sun beds and several expensive hotels whose sunbeds jut close to the waters edge and their advertisements imply private beach. Not so.
We joined the local people at the end of the beach in the soft sand, the most sheltered and the best bit.
Just behind is Iguana beach and there are several lovely bays along this stretch within minutes walk eastwards.
3. Jeep Safari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By Neil M - Dunblane, United Kingdom
Despite being dubious about a jeep safari after a bumpy, dusty, contact lens destroying on in Bulgaria, this was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Crete - largely down to the knowledge and humour of driver / guide Nikos! He was exceptional! The tour is in relative comfort of Landrover Defenders taking you high into the Mountains of Crete on some downright dodgy tracks you couldn't attempt yourself!
We saw the sides of Crete away from the tourist trails, saw mountain top vultures, visited the Cave Of Zeus, tried locally made raki, tried more, bought some of said raki, fed goats, tried locally produced mountain goat cheese, bought cheese, had an awesome barbeque lunch with locally produced wine...
All in all a "must do" trip - tell Nikos & Simon we said hi!
4. On The Rocks Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 87 reviews
On the rocks is a company, located in the beautiful city of Chania, Crete. We offer to our customers a unique buggy safari experience, through some amazing off road, to picturesque destinations. Give yourself the chance for a unique experience, visit historical and natural sites while exploring real Crete away from the touristic crowded places!
Reviewed By E A - Paris, France
Despite being initially enthusiastic about our ride, we had a terrible experience with On the Rocks Tours. My husband was driving a buggy and noticed an issue with the breaks shortly before the break for lunch. He brought it up to the two guides, who spent 20 minutes fixing the buggy. After the break, while driving, we were stopped by the guide on a motorbike, who spotted smoke coming out of the engine. We had not seen it since the engine is located at the back of the buggy. When we stopped, a strong smell came from it. The guide quickly fixed something and said ‘you can go now but be careful with your breaks, because for some reason they don’t seem to be working very well.’ We should have stopped right there and asked for a pick up, but trusted the guide. We started driving again, the breaks were fine at first, and then as we were getting closer to the other buggies that were waiting for us at the end of a slope, the breaks were no longer responsive. My husband had the choice of either going into a wall to stop the buggy or bypass the other buggies and continue until he could stop it, but there was a curve and he could not see whether a car was coming from the other side. We hit a wall and the buggy right in front of us, which got damaged but thankfully no one was injured. The guide on the motorbike asked if everyone was okay; the second guide however started yelling and asked my husband if he was speeding. He was not speeding, but the buggy started going faster because it had reached a slope and the breaks could not stop it.
We were then picked up, along with the passengers of the buggy that got damaged, by a van that took us back to the starting point. The first guide congratulated both passengers and myself for surviving, and told me husband ‘you should not have survived but congratulations.’ Thank you for telling my husband he should have died because you did not carry proper maintenance checks on your vehicles.
On the Rocks Tour then asked the passengers from the other buggy to pay half of the cost for the tour (seriously?). Afterwards, they told us ‘the damage is estimated at 200 euros, so you can pay now or wait for the insurance company, but it will be more expensive.’ (...) We refused to pay, and attempted to explain exactly what happened, but got yelled at by the guide, who this time directly accused my husband of speeding. On the Rocks Tour eventually decided to be honest and let us go without making us paying anything, but the attitude of the guide was unacceptable.
Note to the guides: you were lucky that the person driving that buggy was very experienced and knew quickly what was the safest bet to limit potential injuries. You were also lucky the breaks stopped working while we were not driving off road. When an accident happens because you have not carried out proper maintenance checks and have fixed a buggy twice because of faulty breaks, the best attitude is probably just to apologise.
5. Souda Bay War Cemetery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 314 reviews
Suda Bay War Cemetery is located approximately 5 km east from the centre of Chania (Xania). There are now 1,500 Commonwealth servicemen of the Second World War buried or commemorated in the cemetery. 776 of the burials are unidentified but special memorials commemorate a number of casualties believed to be buried among them. The cemetery also contains 19 First World War burials brought in from Suda Bay Consular Cemetery, 1 being unidentified. There are also 7 burials of other nationalities and 37 non-war burials.
Reviewed By David A - Boston, United Kingdom
This cemetery is a noble tribute to those who died in the Chania area mainly during World War II. Beautifully green and situated overlooking one of the largest natural harbours in the world. It is worth Reading the back story of the massive fight to retain the airport at Maleme. I had no idea that many of those buried here are from Australia and in particular from New Zealand. The only problem is getting here without a car. I travelled by bus from Chania and then walked, but it is a busy road and there is no footpath so take care. You won’t forget this place.
6. Old Venetian Harbor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
7. Iguana Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 546 reviews
Iguana beach is located a few kilometres away from the city of Chania. You can come here with taxi or bus. The bus stop is located at the "1866 square" and the ticket costs around 1 euro (if you buy the ticket from inside the bus it will be more expessive).
8. Chania Venetian Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 996 reviews
Reviewed By taftdev - Randolph Center, Vermont
Take the time to walk out to lighthouse. The harbor and city take on a whole new look. When the light is behind you the city just seems to glow.
9. Maritime Museum of Crete
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 743 reviews
Reviewed By mightyshepherd - London
I just popped in to kill time and it was very interesting, with exhibits from the earliest days of Mediterranean seafaring right through to the WWII Battle of Crete. I was on the trail of St Paul and would have loved to have seen the kind of prison ship that he came here in en route to Rome but hat's just being picky. Generally the museum was well laid out, informative and a welcome relief from the restaurants and gift shops that occupy the rest of the port.
10. Cathedral of Eisodion tis Theotokou
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By jaybeeFL - Florida
We first heard the drumbeats and hurried to the square in front of this small Cathedral in the old town. We waited in anticipation as we continued to hear the marching band music draw closer. Around the bend in the street the military band appeared and marched into the square. Joining them were several units of what appeared to be both Cretan and a foreign country's military(believe they were from the Mexican tall ship docked in the nearby harbor). The Cathedral was just letting their worshipers out having attended services. They then joined the tourists who had gathered along the square and all watched the military perform. All this was accompanied by the band playing various march music. It was a nice surprise to the normal tourist activity and the Cathedral and square provided an excellent backdrop.
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