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Hania

Hania (also spelled Chania) is Crete’s most evocative city, with its pretty Venetian quarter criss-crossed by narrow lanes and culminating at a magnificent harbour. Remnants of Venetian and Turkish architecture abound, with old townhouses now transformed into atmospheric restaurants and boutique hotels.

Although all this beauty means the old town is deluged with tourists in summer, it’s still a great place to unwind. The Venetian Harbour is ideal for a stroll and a coffee or cocktail. Thanks to an active modern centre, the city retains its charm in winter. Indie boutiques and an entire lane (Skrydlof) dedicated to leather products provide good shopping, and a multitude of creative restaurants means you'll eat very well here.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Hania.

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    Hania Archaeological Museum

    The setting alone in the beautifully restored 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to visit this fine collection of artefacts from Neolithic to Roman times. Late-Minoan clay baths used as coffins catch the eye, along with a large glass case with an entire herd of clay bulls (used to worship Poseidon). Other standouts include Roman floor mosaics, Hellenistic gold jewellery, clay tablets with Linear A and Linear B script, and a marble sculpture of the head of Roman emperor Hadrian.

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    Venetian Harbour

    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 that punctuate a maze of narrow lanes lined with shops and tavernas. The eastern side is dominated by the domed Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan, now an exhibition hall, while a few steps further east the impressively restored Grand Arsenal houses the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture.

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    Firkas Fortress

    The Firkas Fortress at the western tip of the harbour heads the best-preserved section of the massive fortifications that were built by the Venetians to protect the city from marauding pirates and invading Turks. The Turks invaded anyway, in 1645, and turned the fortress into a barracks and a prison. Today, parts of it house the Maritime Museum of Crete. There's a great view of the harbour from the top.

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    Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Collection

    In the impressively restored Venetian Church of San Salvatore, this small but fascinating collection of artefacts, icons, jewellery and coins spans the period from AD 62 to 1913. Highlights include a segment of a mosaic floor from an early-Christian basilica, an icon of St George slaying the dragon, and a panel recently attributed to El Greco.

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    Maritime Museum of Crete

    Part of the hulking Venetian-built Firkas Fortress at the western port entrance, this museum celebrates Crete’s nautical tradition with model ships, naval instruments, paintings, photographs, maps and memorabilia. One room is dedicated to historical sea battles, while upstairs there’s thorough documentation of the WWII-era Battle of Crete. You might be lucky enough to see artists working on new model ships in the ship workroom.

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    Venetian Fortifications

    Part of a defensive system begun in 1538 by Michele Sanmichele, who also designed Iraklio’s defences, Hania’s massive fortifications remain impressive. Best preserved is the western wall, running from the Firkas Fortress to the Siavo Bastion. Entrance to the fortress is via the gates next to the Maritime Museum. The bastion offers good views of the old town.

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    Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan

    One of the prettiest and most dominant vestiges of the Turkish era is this dusky-pink multidomed former mosque on the eastern side of the Venetian Harbour. It was built in 1645, making it the oldest Ottoman building in town. It's sometimes open for temporary art exhibits.

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    Nea Hora Beach

    Hania's in-town beach is only a 10-minute walk west of the Venetian Harbour. The 500m-long yellow-sand strip is backed by tavernas and holiday-apartment rentals. Fairly shallow, it's good for kids and popular with locals at weekends.

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    Historical Museum & Archives

    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 focusing on the struggle against the Turks. There is a section on WWII displaying an execution pole used by the German army and a katsouna (wooden crook) local Cretans used to kill German paratroopers. There are also belongings of national hero Eleftherios Venizelos (1864–1936), the Cretan leader and Greek prime minister, plus a folklore collection.