National park
Samaria Gorge
Chania, Greece
One of Europe's famous hiking gorges, a long walk through cliffs to the sea.
City · Greece · Crete
Chania
Crete's prettiest city: a Venetian harbour, a lighthouse and lanes of old stone houses turned into shops and tavernas.
about 5 h
For storytellers
Why Chania matters
Chania is the Crete everyone pictures. The old Venetian harbour curves around a long breakwater with a lighthouse, and the lanes behind are full of coloured shutters, jewellery shops and restaurants. Venetian, Ottoman and Greek layers all show in the architecture. From here you can reach some of Crete's wildest places: Samaria Gorge, Balos and Elafonisi. Evening walks along the harbour are the highlight.
Talking points
- The harbour and lighthouse are the city's postcard view.
- The old town mixes Venetian and Ottoman architecture.
- It is the best base for Samaria Gorge, Balos and Elafonisi.
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What to see in Chania
Beach
Elafonisi Beach
Chania, Greece
A beach with pale pink sand and shallow lagoons at the south-west tip of Crete.
Neighbourhood
Old Venetian Harbour of Chania
Chania, Greece
A picturesque harbour with a lighthouse, ringed with tavernas and old Venetian buildings.
Neighbourhood
Chania Old Town
Chania, Greece
Narrow lanes of Venetian and Ottoman houses, leather shops and small squares.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.