Info about Chania
Chania is the second-largest city on Crete, with approximately 69,000 inhabitants. From 1898 to 1971, it served as the capital of Crete. The city was founded in 520 BCE. During the Minoan period, Chania was an important port city in the Mediterranean, with connections to places such as Egypt. The Turks conquered Chania from 1645 to 1898, which has left the city with a charming mix of Venetian and Turkish atmospheres.
Chania’s magnificent Venetian harbor is now used by tourists who gather in the evening at one of the many seafood restaurants. The prices are relatively high due to the beautiful location, and today, only yachts, tour boats, and fishing boats dock in the harbor. Cars and cargo ferries use the newer port in Souda, about 6 km east of Chania, where ferries depart for Athens and Rhodes.
One of the most famous neighborhoods is Kastelli, founded by the Venetians in the 13th century. For Greek specialties, you should visit the stunning, cross-shaped market hall at Platia S. Venizelu, built in 1913. Here, you can experience the lively atmosphere as locals trade goods. The market hall is divided by product type—vegetables in one section, the butcher’s department in another—and you can sample specialties at small stalls. Behind the market hall, down towards the harbor, are cozy streets where there are plenty of shopping opportunities.
The Church of Agios Nikolaos is an intriguing site. It was converted into a mosque under Sultan Ibrahim and was called "The Imperial Mosque" until 1912. It is now once again a Greek Orthodox church and uniquely features both a church tower and a minaret.
Chania also has several museums, including an archaeological museum, a war museum, and a folklore museum. There is even a small zoo where you can see the rare Kri-Kri goat.
Chania truly has everything you could want—shops, banks, internet cafés, and bars. Most shops, especially near the harbor, stay open all day until late at night during the tourist season. Outside of the tourist season, the city operates “normally,” with possible midday closures as locals gather at cafés.
At sunset, Chania transforms into a lively city, particularly in the old town, where Greeks and tourists enjoy life side by side in clubs, cafés, and discos. For partying into the night, it is recommended to visit one of the excellent nightclubs after midnight.
If you’re lucky, you might find a place where bouzouki music is played—not the kind organized by a tavern or café, but a setting where Greek men gather and enjoy playing and singing together. Often, the room will be filled with smoke, adding to the authentic atmosphere.