Welcome to Chania, the jewel of Crete! You'll be captivated by the Old Venetian Harbor, a picture-perfect scene with its iconic lighthouse and waterfront cafes. Get lost in the labyrinth of narrow, cobbled streets, where Venetian mansions and Ottoman-era buildings reveal centuries of history at every turn. The whole city is your playground, a beautiful blend of history, culture, and the relaxed pace of Mediterranean life.

You can visit:

Firka Fortress (8:00–15:00)

On the north-western coast of the port of Chania, the Venetians built the Revellino del Porto, a fortification designed to protect the harbor from enemy threats.

Construction began in the mid-16th century and was completed a few years before the city was captured by the Ottomans in 1645. Inside the fortress were barracks and military storage facilities, and it also served as the headquarters of the city’s military governor. In the center of the courtyard, a large domed cistern collected rainwater.

The northern side of the Revellino consists of six successive arches, each containing a large casemate. These were designed so that cannon fire could fully cover the entrance to the harbor.

During Ottoman rule, the Revellino was mainly used as a barracks (in Turkish, Firka means barracks), a name it still bears today. The vaulted rooms that once housed the cannons were later used as a prison during the Ottoman period and up until the Greek Civil War.

On the turret at the corner of the fortress, the flag symbolizing the Union of Crete with Greece was raised on 1 December 1913.

Maritime Museum (8:00–15:00)

The Maritime Museum was inaugurated in 1973 in part of the Venetian Firka Fortress, at the north-western edge of Chania’s historic town.

A group of Greek Navy officers, through a private initiative, founded, organized, and developed the exhibition in order to preserve and promote Greece’s naval heritage.

The museum presents the historical evolution of ships through scale models, from the Minoan era and Classical period to the height of Byzantium, the Ottoman occupation, World War II, and the post-war period.

The exhibition includes everything from small everyday boats to major warships of each era. Special emphasis is given to the Battle of Crete, which occupies most of the second floor.

The Maritime Museum also took the initiative to build a full-scale replica of a Minoan ship, which is now displayed in one of the Moro Arsenals.

Archaeological Museum

Summer: 08:00–18:00 (closed Tuesdays)
Winter: 08:30–15:30

The Archaeological Museum of Chania is located next to the Venetian harbor, housed in the church of the former Venetian Franciscan monastery of Agios Fragiskos (Saint Francis).

The exhibition is divided into two main sections. The eastern section displays finds from the Neolithic period to the end of the Minoan era, while the western section presents objects from the Geometric period through Roman times. Artifacts in each display case are arranged according to their place of origin or category.

The collections include Minoan finds from the city and region of Chania, prehistoric discoveries from caves, Geometric-period tombs, historical finds from Chania and other cities, coins, jewelry (prehistoric and historic periods), sculptures, inscriptions, columns, and mosaics.

The museum also houses the collection of Konstantinos Mitsotakis (Prime Minister of Greece, 1990–1993), donated to the Archaeological Museum of Chania in 2000 and displayed in three small rooms.

History of the Building

The monastery survived in altered form mainly during Ottoman rule and later in modern times. On the southern side stood a double gallery with monks’ cells and additional buildings. Today, much of this gallery has been incorporated into nearby houses and shops close to the entrance of the modern Catholic church.

The northern part of the church is marked on maps by a garden, similar to the one that exists today, which has been in use since the building was converted into a mosque. On the eastern side of the monument, the base of the tall bell tower still stands.

Yiali Mosque (No fixed opening hours)

“To Yiali Tzamisi”
The Yiali Mosque is one of the most notable monuments of the Old Town, located on the eastern side of the Venetian harbor. Its name comes from its seaside location, although it was originally built in honor of Kioutrouk Hassan, the first governor of the Turkish garrison of Chania.

Commonly known—especially among French speakers—as the Mosque of the Janissaries, it was constructed in the mid-17th century, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of the city, on the site of a former Venetian church.

A fine example of Islamic architecture of the period, the Yiali Mosque has a cubic shape topped by an imposing dome supported by four arches. Arcaded galleries are attached to the north and west sides, covered by a series of seven small domes.

In the past, as shown in early 20th-century documents, the south-western corner was topped by a minaret (only its base remains today). Another gallery and surrounding walls enclosed a courtyard planted with palm trees, where the tombs of Ottoman dignitaries were located. Most of this complex was destroyed during the first half of the 20th century.

Over time, the building has served various purposes: warehouse, archaeological museum, tourist office, and today it functions as an exhibition and event space.

Chania Municipal Market (Temporarily Closed)

Unique in Greece, the covered market is located between the Old Harbor and the modern city, on Eleftherios Venizelos Square, at the edge of the Evraiki (Jewish) district.

Built in 1911, it was inaugurated in 1913 by the man after whom the square is named, during celebrations marking the union of Crete with Greece. The building was designed following the model of the Marseille market, with a distinctive cross-shaped layout.

The market attracts many tourists, so visitors should pay attention to displayed prices. Nevertheless, it still offers authentic and traditional stalls selling local Cretan products such as thyme honey, fresh fish, meat, olive oil, and local cheeses. It is also possible to enjoy a meal on site at one of the many small food stalls.

Chania Lighthouse (Free Access)

The Chania Lighthouse is one of the city’s most remarkable monuments and among the oldest in the entire Mediterranean. Located at the end of the breakwater, it has marked the entrance to the Old Harbor for over 400 years.

The lighthouse stands on the site and base of an earlier “fire tower” originally built by the Venetians at the end of the 16th century. The current structure was erected between 1830 and 1840, during the period when Crete was under the governance of Mehmet Ali, Viceroy of Egypt.

Its architecture is distinctive, resembling a minaret with a balcony, and it rests on a trapezoidal base anchored to a rock. The pedestal rises to 21 meters and consists of three sections: a lower octagonal section, topped by a sixteen-sided section, and finally a circular upper section supporting the lantern. The total height of the lighthouse reaches 26 meters above sea level.

Having suffered damage from time and war, the monument has undergone several restorations, the most recent in 2005. Unfortunately, access to the interior and the lantern is only possible on very rare occasions.