Chania Touring and Shopping

Some special homegrown and locally produced goods of the region include oranges (considered by some to be the best in the world), honey, olive oil, chestnuts, and Kastelli and Kissamos wines.

The “old town” is built around the old Venetian Port and Castle (Kastelli), which have preserved their medieval characteristics. Here the Venetian and Turkish influence is quite apparent, and the charm and beauty of the city is evident throughout its charming back streets, with Venetian architecture mixed together with Turkish minarets, and covering periods from the early 17th Century through to the end of the 19th Century. Some notable sights to see include the Mosque of Djamissi; the remains of the Venetian "arsenali", where ships were once built and repaired; the Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas (first a Venetian Catholic monastery, then a Turkish mosque, and now an Orthodox church); the huge Municipal Market that connects to the new town at its opposite entrance; the marvellous Archaeological Museum occupying a 16th Century Venetian church; and many of the lovely side streets filled with shops, craftsmen, and beautiful architecture.

At the old fort of Firkas, you can visit the excellent Nautical Museum.

In addition to touring this exceptional city, a favorite activity is looking for wonderful Cretan handcrafts, such as rugs, blankets, wall hangings, and beautiful embroideries. The people of Crete have long been known for their artistry, with weaving and embroidery certainly at the forefront. However, they also excel at ceramics, leather working, painting, and jewelry making. Wonderful shops can be found throughout the city where the artistry is new and fresh, though based on ancient works and traditional techniques. Some special home-grown and locally produced goods of the region include oranges (considered by some to be the best in the world), honey, olive oil, chestnuts, and Kastelli and Kissamos wines.