Book a Flight to Chania from €38

Old Town: Chania is a somewhat of a palimpsest. Built within the Venetian fortifications that protected the city to the east, west and south, the Old Town of Chania is an amalgam of culture, history, remembrances and colour that can only be understood through extensive exploration. Don't miss the chance to visit Santrivani (or El. Venizelou Square), the small plaza that inherited its name from a rather massive ancient fountain at its centre and features beautiful paving and lively cafés. Pass by the Ovraiki (Jewish) quarter and Topanas, as well as Splantza, the old Muslim quarter and one of the most colourful in Chania.

Venetian Shipyards (Neoria) and the Grand Arsenal: As you walk along the Venetian harbour eastwards, a row of domed hangar-like structures will rivet your attention. These are the medieval shipyards where the Venetian fleet was stored for the winter. One of these is the impressive and best known Grand Arsenal. This structure has functioned as a school, shipyard, theatre and hospital, and opened its doors in 2002 to house the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture. Nowadays, it plays a major role in the cultural life of Chania as a multi-purpose venue for various events, conferences, seminars, workshops and exhibitions. Address: 31 Akti Tobazi, Tel: +30 28210 40201, www.kam-arsenali.gr

Giali Tzami Mosque: Also known as the Janissary Mosque, it is one of the most recognisable architectural landmarks in the city and a brilliant example of Renaissance Islamic art. Built in the latter half of the 17th century in honour of Chania's military governor, Küçük Hasan, the elegant mosque with the characteristic small domes and one great dome stands at the south end of the Venetian harbour.

Egyptian Lighthouse: A jewel and trademark of the city, it is one of the oldest lighthouses still intact in the world. It is 21 metres tall, with the focal plane at 26 metres above sea level. Its light can be seen 7 miles away. It was first erected around 1595-1601 by the Venetians as an open-flame beacon. It acquired its current form in 1859 when it was restored on the orders of Egyptian Viceroy Mehmet Ali. Thanks to him, and to the fact that it resembles a minaret, it came to be called "Egyptian". Visitors cannot enter the lighthouse nowadays because it is unstable, but a walk to it is a must, especially at sunset.

Chania Archaeological Museum: Housed in the lovely main church of the Venetian monastery of St Francis, it features archaeological findings from various periods and areas of the prefecture. Address: 25 Halidon Str., Tel.: +30 28210 90334

Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection of Chania: At the beautiful church of San Salvatore on the bastion of the same name, mosaics, icons, pottery, coins, architectural sculptures and funerary inscriptions relate the fascinating story of the artistic aspect of the region. Address: 82 Theotokopoulou Str., Tel.: +30 28210 96046

Naval Museum: The Naval Museum is located at the entrance of the impressive Firka fortress in a characteristic red building. Its collection includes more than 2,500 exhibits, such as miniatures of ships, nautical instruments, paintings and engravings, as well as a life-size model of a Minoan ship with places for 24 oarsmen. Address: Akti Kountourioti, Tel.: +30 28210 91875

Municipal Market: The Chania Municipal Market, a huge 4,000 m2 structure, is the heart of the city's commercial zone and is now located where the main bastion of the Venetian fortifications once stood. The market was opened in December 1913 and was based on designs by local engineer Drandakis, who modelled it on the covered market in Marseilles. It became a listed monument in 1980 and nowadays features the wealth of renowned Cretan products - from meat, fish and cheeses to herbs, lovely memorabilia and traditional objects.

Samaria Gorge: One of the most famous gorges in Greece and Europe, the Samaria Gorge is a national park, while the trail that runs through it is considered the most frequented in Greece. Trekking through the gorge is permitted only from May to October. The gorge begins in Xyloskalo (alt. 1,227 m), in the Omalos plateau, and ends up at the seaside village of Agia Roumeli in southern Crete, where you arrive after about six hours of hiking through the spectacular wilderness, waterfalls, lakes and ravines.

Beaches: Crete in general, and Chania in particular, is known for the many magnificent beaches, so many that it is hard to choose a favourite. In Chania Prefecture, the exotic Balos at the Gramvousa Peninsula with the fine white sand and clear waters stands out. You should also visit the impressive Falasarna beach, one of the best in Europe. In the south-west section of the island, 76 km from Chania, the stand-out beach is famous Elafonisi, with the pink shell fragments and white sand that glimmer with amazing colours. Swim or wade in the shallows to cross over to the island of the same name.

Chania is a big city and you will find everything at the shops. Wander round Skrydlof Street for high-quality leather goods at affordable prices, and through the row of metalworkers on Sifaka Street. At Mousouron Street, where the old town and modern section meet, the covered market serves as a point of reference in Chania. At the stalls and shops in the cross-shaped building, you will find all kinds of local products, like Cretan graviera and mizithra cheese, raki, olives, herbs, spices and every type of sweet imaginable. The narrow lanes through Old Town also have many secrets to reveal, from handmade Cretan carpets, kilims and jewellery to beautiful antiques and handicrafts of glass, wood and metal. Finally, as you pass through the Machairadika district, you might consider buying an authentic Cretan dagger with a rhyming couplet carved onto the blade.

The Cretan cuisine is famous all over the world for its distinct flavours and pure ingredients. Chania specialities include grilled fish, lamb in a variety of styles and vegetable dishes like the famous Chania-style bourek pie and aubergine patties. You must try the Sfakia pie (fried pies with sour mizithra served with honey), lamb-filled pie (tourta), Sfakia stew, lamb with local stamnangathi greens, xerotygana pastries and sioufikta pasta with local whey cheese, and wedding rice pilaf with the flavour of cream butter and courgette flowers. The back streets of Old Town are full of little restaurants and lovely hangouts in old buildings and atmospheric courtyards. Don't forget to pass by "Iordanis" for what many insist is the best bougatsa filled pastry in Greece! For a night out, there are plenty of bars and clubs around the harbour in Chania and the seaside resort of Platania that keep going all night long.

• Chania Festival: Chania is one of the liveliest cities in Greece and has something to celebrate every single day, 365 days a year. Theatre and music performances, exhibitions, concerts and other events are staged during the Summer Festival (June-August) at the theatre in Anatoliki Tafros, Kipos, Venizeleio Odeon and Peace and Friendship Park, while events are also held in various districts around the city.
• Events: The international athletics competition "Venizeleia" is held in early summer, while Navy Week is celebrated in style in July. Other special events include the observance of the anniversary of the Battle of Crete (second half of May), as well as Agricultural August (1-10 August) which features local agricultural products and visual arts and dance performances in the Venetian harbour of Chania. A number of special celebrations coincide with the production of the local tsikoudia, a clear spirit, and wine.
• Saint's day celebrations: The most popular celebrations for Cretans are those honouring the saints, featuring traditional dancing, the Cretan lyre and a rich spread of local dishes. The better-known saint's-day feasts include Agios Ioannis in Sfakia (8 May), Agios Georgios in Asi Gonia (23 April), the Annunciation in Palaiochora (25 March), Agios Antonios in Sougia (1-2 July), Virgin Mary Chrysoskalitissa on 15 August, and Agios Nikitas in Frangokastelo (15 September), where horse races are also held.

Transport from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands at Chania International Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis”. The second-largest airport in Crete features duty-free shops, a restaurant and café, as well as a bank, foreign exchange desk, a post office and car rental agencies. Wi-Fi is free. Chania International Airport is located 10 km from the city. To get to the city, you can use the regional KTEL buses to the main depot in the city. You can also get there by taxi.