Things to Do in Chania, Crete

Chania's iconic Venetian Harbour was built in the 14th century when the city was ruled by Venice, and its lighthouse (Firka) still stands as one of Greece's most photographed landmarks.

The city is the gateway to Samaria Gorge, one of Europe's longest canyons at 16km, which attracts thousands of hikers annually from May to October.

Chania was briefly the capital of Crete after independence from Ottoman rule (1898–1971) before the capital moved to Heraklion.

The old town's narrow streets and pastel-coloured buildings reflect 900 years of Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek influence layered into the same architecture.

Chania sits on Crete's northwestern coast with beaches like Balos Lagoon and Elafonissi nearby—both featuring turquoise shallow waters and pink-sand stretches rare in the Mediterranean.