This striking war memorial with white crosses against a backdrop of Souda Bay holds the graves of 1500 Commonwealth soldiers who died during WWI and, in particular, WWII. Battle of Crete ceremonies take place here on the anniversary week in May each year.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
5.42 MILES
The ruins of the ancient city of Aptera, about 13.5km east of Hania, spread over two hills that lord grandly over Souda Bay. Founded in the 7th century BC…
2.66 MILES
The setting alone in the beautifully restored 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to visit this fine collection of artefacts from…
24.84 MILES
Looming over Rethymno, the star-shaped Venetian fortress cuts an imposing figure with its massive walls and bastions but was nevertheless unable to stave…
2.73 MILES
There are few places where Hania's historic charm and grandeur are more palpable than in the old Venetian Harbour. It's lined by pastel-coloured buildings…
6.27 MILES
Akrotiri Peninsula’s major cultural site, the impressive and beautiful 17th-century Moni Agias Triadas, is an active monastery with a rich library and is…
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno
25.04 MILES
Set inside the atmospheric Venetian-built Church of St Francis, this well-curated museum features a stunning collection of well-preserved relics unearthed…
10.39 MILES
A family-run business for over 25 years, this pretty winery in the village of Vatolakkos – 16km southwest of the centre of Hania – is well worth a visit…
27.16 MILES
The rugged Gramvousa Peninsula cradles the lagoon-like sandy beach of Balos, whose shallow, shimmering turquoise waters draw huge crowds in summer. This…
Nearby Hania Province attractions
1. Eleftherios Venizelos Residence & Museum
1.78 MILES
Some 2km east of the old town, in the Halepa neighbourhood, the Eleftherios Venizelos Residence & Museum preserves the great statesman’s home in splendid…
2. Historical Museum & Archives
2.05 MILES
The Historical Museum & Archives of Hania, about a 1.5km walk southeast of the old harbour, traces Crete’s war-torn history with a series of exhibits…
3. Greek National Football Museum
2.45 MILES
This tiny museum might look like a shop, but it's actually crammed with more than 2000 items of soccer memorabilia. Run by Nikos, the passionate president…
2.46 MILES
One of Hania’s most intriguing buildings is this Venetian-era church with both a bell tower and a double-balconied minaret – the latter replaced a second…
2.48 MILES
Soaring above the rooftops of the charismatic Splantzia quarter, the Ahmet Aga Minaret is one of Hania’s two remaining minarets from the Ottoman era.
6. Permanent Collection of Ancient & Traditional Shipbuilding
2.49 MILES
The Minoa, a painstaking replica of a Minoan ship that sailed from Crete to Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games, now permanently docks in a converted…
2.5 MILES
This 17th-century Venetian church was probably built following an outbreak of plague and was turned into a military guardhouse under the Turks. Restored…
2.61 MILES
The discovery of clay tablets with Linear B script during ongoing excavations on Kastelli Hill to the east of the Venetian Harbour has led archaeologists…