Old Town of Chania

Venetian harbour, Ottoman mosque and a thousand hidden corners.

Chania is Crete's most beautiful city – and the old town its jewel. The Venetian harbour with its iconic lighthouse, the pink Janissary mosque and the narrow lanes of Topanas invite endless wandering.

By day: craft shops, small galleries and hidden courtyards. By evening the harbour transforms: tavernas serve fresh fish, lights reflect on the water and musicians play in the alleys. An aperitif at sunset is a Chania classic.

Visit the Agora market, Maritime Museum and the flower-balconied Splantzia quarter. Chania is lively, authentic and full of surprises.

Tip: Best explored on foot. Park outside. Book harbour tavernas in the evening. Spring and autumn are ideal.