Chania, Crete - Review and Recommendations

Categories

Chania on the island of Crete in Greece is the second largest city on the island.  This beautiful old city has some remarkable surprises.  But first, you have to get there!  We arrived by cruise ship and unfortunately, the current cruise terminal is a distance away.  The good news is the city provides a nice, reliable bus that will pick you up at the cruise port terminal and drop you off near the old town for a small fee.  I admit fully to being spoiled and wanted to be able to start exploring as soon as we got off the ship but the wait was worth it.

 

From the park where the shuttle bus dropped us off, it was an easy and remarkable stroll through the old town to reach the stunningly beautiful old harbor.  The streets are cobblestoned and they wind and twist their way around.  The streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and fun little spaces to enjoy.  The hardest part is pacing yourself.

 

The old harbor; which, the old town of Chania is built around, boasts a beautiful Venetian styled lighthouse.  The lighthouse has Venetian, Egyptian, and Ottoman influences.  It stands majestically on an outstretched piece of land that seems to embrace the harbor.  The lighthouse itself is surprisingly slender and leaves to the imagination how it has managed to survive all of these years.  It was built in the 1500s completely out of stone and calls to mind the various cultures that have prevailed on Crete over the centuries.

 

The harbor also boasts two forts.  Firka Fortress was also built in the Venetian style and now hold the maritime museum.  The harbor is by far the highlight and the crowning jewel of this beautiful old city.  We had a beautiful sunny day to walk the harbor and enjoy the views.  There are also some fantastic restaurants and historical sites along the way.  Be sure to take the time to stop by the Venetian fountain in the old town near the harbor.

 

If you are planning a trip to the Greek Islands, contact us, your Greece experts and we can help you to discover fascinating places like Chania!