Millie, the full-time content creator behind Stay Wild Travels and this guest post, is originally from the UK, but now spends most of her time living abroad and travelling around Latin America. She shares practical guides to help other travellers make the most of each destination and sheds a light on both popular and lesser-known things to do.

The small city of Chania, on the Greek island of Crete, is one that’s hard to beat for travellers looking to balance their holiday with beautiful beaches, history, culture and outdoor adventures.

But what’s even better about this location, is that a lot of these things to do are free – so let’s jump straight into all that’s on offer.

Chania Old Town

Whether you’re exploring during the day or night, Chania Old Town is a hub for activity and you’ll no doubt visit here more than once.

From charming restaurants that line the waterfront to the quaint boutique shops tucked down fairy-lit side streets, it’s a vibrant part of the island that has plenty to offer.

It’s also a picturesque spot to watch the sun go down over the calm waters and infamous lighthouse, which we’ll talk about next.

The Old Lighthouse

The Old Lighthouse in Chania is pretty hard to miss. It’s one of the most iconic spots in the city that was originally built by the Venetians in around 1570, but is thought to have later been renovated by the Egyptians in the early 19th century.

What’s unique about the Old Lighthouse is that it’s situated in the middle of the sea and connected by a long pathway that attaches it to the mainland.

Tourists and locals are able to walk right up the lighthouse that stands at around 21 metres tall, making it a great free thing to do regardless of your age!

The Greek National Football Team Museum

With over 800 reviews and an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, The Greek National Football Team Museum is an excellent free attraction that’s worth swinging by – even if it’s just to chat to the owner – Niko.

Niko has built up a huge amount of memorabilia and loves nothing more than sharing his extensive knowledge of football with tourists and locals who pass by. He knows even the tiniest and more obscure details about football, so it’s safe to say that you’ll likely leave with a wealth of new information!

Visit the beaches

It’s impossible to visit Chania and not check out the beaches. After all, you are on the island of Crete, where some of the world’s best beaches have been named!

Whilst you won’t find the very best Cretan beaches in Chania itself, you will find some that are easily accessible, very pretty and that are great to spend an afternoon relaxing on.

Here’s a quick overview of the three you’ll find:

• Koum Kapi Beach: a long city beach with a thin strip of sand and shallow crystal-clear waters.

• Paralia Koum Kapi: part of Koum Kapi beach and best for sea swimmers.

• Nea Chora Beach: A 20-minute walk from Chania Old Town and equipped with sunbeds, cabanas and umbrellas.

Municipal Gardens

The Municipal Gardens in Chania are a lovely little spot to wander through.

You’ll find many varieties of flora and fauna, with plenty of unique trees which have been gifted from other countries over the years. Yet, there's one that takes the limelight – the Bengal Ficus tree. It’s over 150 years old, meaning it's absolutely gigantic and features many interesting features.

The gardens are a great place to relax on a summer's day. You’ll also find a sweet cafe that's worth popping into for some infamous mountain tea – a Cretan blend of herbs that are said to offer medicinal properties.

Minoos Street open-air market

Minoos Street open-air market takes place every Saturday from 7am to 2pm and is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture.

It’s filled with dozens of stalls selling everything from fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, to herbs and spices and even something slightly more unique – snails! These are typically associated with France but are actually a very popular delicacy on the Greek island of Crete.

Venizelos Tombs and viewpoint

The Venizelos Tombs and viewpoint is a spot that shouldn’t be missed on your Chania itinerary – and that’s not just because it’s free!

Not only does it hold a great level of importance in the history of Crete, but because it’s located on the Akrotiri Peninsula, it’s got some of the more breathtaking views on the island. These stretch all the way over the Cretan coastline, with the White Mountains in the background.

You’ll also find some immaculately landscaped gardens around the tombs, filled with statues and even a church.

If you’re looking for a spot to grab some lunch with an excellent view, then next to the Venizelos Tombs and viewpoint, you’ll find a restaurant called Carte Postale.

Venetian harbour

Similarly to the Old Town, you can’t miss the Venetian harbour in Chania.

Historically, it was a vital trade link between the East and Europe. Yet today, it's little more than a picturesque docking point for boats and a nice place to stroll along, with plenty of restaurants that line the waterfront on offer!

Kucuk Hasan mosque

The Kucuk Hasan mosque is one of the most photo-worthy buildings in the heart of Chania’s Old Town. The large pink domes and detailed stonework make it a sight that’s hard to miss, and the fact that it’s located right in front of the water only adds to its beauty.

Previously, this was a working mosque, however today it’s primarily a place for cultural events and artwork to be featured. And, whilst it’s free to wander around the outside of the mosque and snap pictures, it costs one euro to enter.