Old Port

Even if you do nothing else it is almost certain you will pay a visit to the Old Port, the Old Venetian Harbor. The Old harbor will enchant you with its picturesque Venetian houses, its tile roofs, and its imposing lighthouse. It is the reason the city of Chania is nowadays often referred to as “Venice of the East” (although the title was indeed given to the city of Candia, the modern-day city of Heraklion during the Venetian Era). The old port still holds most of the charm and renowned aesthetic quality of its builders intact.

Many of the Venetian mansions built for nobles in the 15th and 16th centuries have been transformed into Boutique Hotels today that hold every inch of saved by the time detail of the old structure while many others await their transformation by the next investor in a state of charming decay that one can very often see in Venice itself.

Starting from 1320, the Old Port was constructed by the Venetians over 300 years. Most of its parts remained unchanged during Ottoman rule except for some additions like the Yali Tzami, the big Ottoman mosque on the waterfront, and the Egyptian lighthouse of the mid-19th century that replaced the Venetian of the 17th century.

During the Venetian era (1204 – 1669), the need for a stronger presence of Venetians in Crete, led to the construction of  a fair number of “Neoria” (arsenal) in Chania, where the ships would be repaired during winter time. Today the Neoria still stand proud (although in poor overall condition) with the Greek state having approved a large economic package for their reconstruction in the immediate future.

Crete’s architectural jewel is in reality a huge archaeological park that attracts both tourists and locals alike who flock to eat, drink, shop or have a coffee even during the hot summer days. The nights are even more crowded so if you are looking for a quiet stroll on the waterfront you may have to opt for the early morning hours for your walk.

If you’re visiting the city in winter or the fall then overcrowding will be no problem. Even in the summer, the charm of the place can be enough for anyone to turn the blind eye to the swarms of tourists. In general, for most visitors, the Old Port is the Alpha. For many of them it’s both the Alpha and the Omega..and very rightfully so.