Discover the beauty of Chania Old Town and Old Harbor (half day)

Discover the beauty of Chania Old Town and Old Harbor (half day)

Visiting the old Market of Chania and exploring Chania’s Old Town and Venetian Harbour by wandering around the narrow laneways, hidden backstreets, Venetian and Ottoman monuments, make an unforgettable walking tour.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Municipal Market of Chani, Odos Hatzi Michali Yannari, Chania Town, Crete 731 32 Greece

The Municipal Market of Chania, is the "heart" of the city. Its foundation started on August 14, 1911, at the place that was the main rampart of the fortification during the Venetian period, and the construction of the building was completed during the second half of 1913. The Municipal Market is cross shaped and has four doors, one in each ward, that close to provide security at the shops that are hosted there. Today at the building of the Municipal Market are hosted many shops that sell local products and souvenirs. The Municipal Market constitutes an architectural jewel for Chania and is one of the most impressive markets in Balkans.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Old Venetian Harbor, Agiou Markou 8 Akti Tompazi, Chania Town, Crete 731 32 Greece

The old town of Chania with the beautiful Venetian harbor is the heart of the city of Chania and its prefecture that beats loudly during the summer. Numerous people, tourists and residents of Chania, people of all ages, come here and collect what the historic old town and the enchanting Venetian harbor has to offer. You will come across archaeological excavations have brought to light many findings, including floor plans of entire buildings that prove that Chania is built on the site of an important ancient Cretan city named Cydonia, and according to tradition, Cydonia was the third largest city founded the king Minos in Crete in 3650-3000 BC Since then, Kydonia is inhabited in all the later phases of history. It either grew or declined at times. It went through wars, looting and conquests. Her name is paraphrased in Chania. Destroyed and rebuilt many times today the old town of Chania saves intense marks since Crete was the Venetian colony (1252-1645), with the necessary additions made in the next period of the conquest of Crete by the Ottomans (1645- 1898) and the years of the Egyptian rule (1831-1841) that took place during the Ottoman domination. Observe the architecture of buildings that reflects the different culture and religion of different cultures. Many buildings were and remain houses, while others house shops. Several, mainly Venetian mansions, have been converted into hotels, while other buildings have been converted into museums and venues that host cultural exhibitions. All are monuments that are there to lead you through the paths of the history of the place. Get to know the history of the old city of Chania, which consists of historic districts, squares and neighborhoods.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Firkas Fortress, Old Harbor, Chania Town, Crete 731 31 Greece

The fortress of Firkas on the northwest side of the port of Chania was constructed between 1610 and 1645 to protect the Venetian harbour entrance from raiders. The fall of the city of Chania in the hands of the Turks in 1645, meant automatically that the fortress belonged to the new conquerors. That is when it got its current name, because “Firka” in Turkish means “barrack”. On the northern side of the Firka fortress were six consecutive domes, that sheltered the large cannons, so that they would face the entrance of the harbor and face any possible attacker. The Firka Fortress was used as a prison since then and up to the Greek civil war of the 20th century. During the Ottoman rule, the Firka Fortress constituted the seat of the military governor of the city. It is the place where the Greek flag was raised, in 1913, the year of the reunion of Crete with Greece. Today, at the entrance of the Fortress is situated the Maritime Museum.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Chania Venetian Lighthouse, Old Port, Chania Town, Crete Greece

Chania lighthouse, the jewel of the city, is one of the oldest light houses, not only in Greece and the Mediterranean, but also in the world. The lighthouse is a major attraction in the old port of Chania especially at night when it's lit up. The tower is 21m high and is built on a stone base, located at the end of the old harbour's pier opposite to the fortress of "Firkas". Visitors are not allowed to enter the tower. Chania lighthouse was first constructed by the Venetians around 1595 - 1601, and it took its final form, in the shape of a minaret, during the Egyptian Period (1831 - 1841) in around 1839. After the latest restoration, completed in 2006, it was given the formation of the Venetian period. The minaret look is still evident however. The tower is divided in three diverse parts: the base is octagonal, the middle part has sixteen sides, and the third part is circular. The construction material of the base is of the same origin and quality of the material used for the fortification of the city of Chania by the Venetians.

Duration: 10 minutes