Discover Chania 2026

Built in the 14th century by Venetian seafarers, the harbour is lined by a distinctive Egyptian lighthouse and surrounded by pastel-coloured houses, tavernas and former shipyards that still shape the cityscape today.

The winding old town combines Venetian, Ottoman and Cretan architecture with the covered Agora market, where local products such as olive oil, herbs and honey are sold, alongside countless small craft shops.

The roughly 16-kilometre-long Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains is among the longest gorges in Europe and leads hikers through spectacular rock walls down to the starting point of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.

The turquoise Balos Lagoon at Crete's north-western tip captivates with pink-tinged sand and shallow, crystal-clear water, accessible by boat from Kissamos or via an adventurous gravel track.

Direct flights to Chania operate in peak season from several European cities, with a flight time from Zurich of around three hours. Alternatively, an overnight ferry connects the city to Piraeus in about nine hours from Athens.

Built in the 14th century by Venetian seafarers, the harbour is lined by a distinctive Egyptian lighthouse and surrounded by pastel-coloured houses, tavernas and former shipyards that still shape the cityscape today.

The winding old town combines Venetian, Ottoman and Cretan architecture with the covered Agora market, where local products such as olive oil, herbs and honey are sold, alongside countless small craft shops.

The roughly 16-kilometre-long Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains is among the longest gorges in Europe and leads hikers through spectacular rock walls down to the starting point of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea.