Welcome to Chania
Minoan of origin and later under Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman rule, Chania—Crete’s second-largest city and former capital—has had millennia to accrue a rich historical patina. That heritage is evident in its Old Town, home to a Venetian port (including the Lighthouse of Chania), the Nautical Museum of Crete, and the Firkas Fortress—visiting is among the top things to do in Chania. And although the Nea Chora beach is convenient for those staying in town, it’s worth journeying to the postcard-ready Balos and Falasarna beaches; meanwhile, the Samaria Gorge is Crete at its most ruggedly beautiful.
