Shing, from The Culture Map, is a London-based travel blogger with a focus on experiential travel. She loves to seek out adventurous activities and cultural experiences around the globe and to find out what makes a place unique. Her aim is to showcase the inspiring diversity of our world.

Chania, one of Crete’s most captivating cities, is a dream destination for history lovers. With a rich past shaped by ancient Minoans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans, Chania offers a fascinating journey through the ages. The city’s layers of history are beautifully showcased in its architecture, archaeological sites and museums, all of which are waiting to be discovered.

Curious to know more? Take a stroll through Chania with me, where historical landmarks greet you at every turn.

Venetian harbour

During the Venetian period (1204–1669), Chania blossomed into a thriving commercial hub and the Venetian harbour was at the centre of all the action. Built in the 14th century, the harbour once played a vital role in controlling the naval trade in the Eastern Mediterranean while also protecting the city from invaders.

There’s nowhere on the island that tells the story of Crete’s layered history better than the eclectic array of architecture and the riot of colours that you can find along the harbour.

Chania’s most recognisable and photographed landmark, The Egyptian Lighthouse, at 21m tall stands sentinel at the harbour’s edge. Originally constructed by the Venetians in the 16th century, the lighthouse gained its present state when it was reconstructed by the Egyptians in the 19th century, hence the name.

Enjoy a scenic walk along the path that connects the lighthouse to the mainland. The path is lined by a stone wall that protects the inner harbour from the full force of the crashing waves from the Aegean to the north. At the lighthouse, you can admire dazzling views of the harbour, particularly at night as the tranquil water catches the moonlight.

A stroll around the harbour will take you to Firkas Fortress, built by the Venetians to protect the city, however, its current name was given by the Turks. In Turkish, “Firka” means “barrack”, reflecting the conversion of the fortress into barracks under the Ottoman rule. In subsequent years, the fortress was used as a prison, and today it houses the Maritime Museum, where you can explore Chania’s maritime history, from ancient times through World War II.

The most notable site built by the Ottomans in Chania is Mosque Yiali Tzami that translates to “mosque by the seaside”. This was the first mosque built in Crete, after the Ottomans conquered Chania in the summer of 1645. It was built on the site of an ancient church and is the only surviving mosque in the city. From an architectural point of view, the Yiali Tzami is strongly Arabic in style, topped with a huge hemispherical dome clustered with several smaller domes underneath that sit in surprising contrast to the surrounding rectangular rooftops that make up the Venetian Harbour.

Today, the harbour is lined with a colourful selection of inviting cafés and restaurants serving up their catch of the day along with a variety of delicious Cretan delicacies. Against the atmosphere and buzz, it’s easy to conjure up images of the bustling trade that once dominated the shores of this historic area.

Old Town

From the harbour, take a stroll through the Old Town’s labyrinthine streets and witness Venetian, Ottoman and Jewish influences blending seamlessly together.

Wander through the maze of narrow streets in Evraiki, the Jewish quarter that is home to Etz Hayyim Synagogue, a testament to Chania’s once-thriving community.

Continue your walk through the picturesque neighbourhoods of Splantzia and Topanas, filled with charming Venetian mansions, colourful facades, quaint cafés and pretty bougainvillea trees that burst into bloom once spring arrives on the island.

You’ll even have the chance to visit the small but much-loved Greek National Football Museum. Yes, to some this recommendation might seem out of place on a history lover’s guide to Chania, but arguably, the day Greece won the Euros in 2004, they made history and shocked the world, with the odds of winning stacked against them!

Daily life is best observed in the squares and courtyards that are now typically lined with local cafés and old churches like the Church of Agios Nikolaos located in Splanzia Square. The church, originally a Venetian Catholic place of worship, was converted into a mosque during the Ottoman period, and as a result uniquely features both a bell tower and a minaret. After the Ottomans left Chania, it was converted back to a church and the people decided to preserve the minaret to reflect the city’s diverse religious history.

Kydonia

Make your way to Kastelli Hill, the oldest part of Chania, where you’ll find traces of the ancient Minoan city of Kydonia, providing a glimpse into Chania’s earliest history and ancient roots.

Kydonia was one of the most important Minoan cities on Crete, a civilisation that flourished 3,000 years ago. Known for its monumental architecture and symbolic art, it is often regarded as the first civilisation in Europe.

Excavations on the crossroads of Kanevaro and Kantanoleon Streets have uncovered remains dating back to Neolithic times. The site, located beneath the modern city, offers a rare chance to explore the layers of Chania’s history from its earliest days.

Visit the archaeological site of Aptera

After exploring Chania’s historic centre, head to the nearby Ancient City of Aptera, located high above Souda Bay, just 13km east of Chania. Aptera was one of the most powerful city-states of ancient Crete, with a history stretching back to the Minoan era.

The site includes impressive ruins from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. One of the most impressive things to see on the site are the Roman cisterns, designed and built so well that they are still remarkably well-preserved.

A favourite among visitors is the theatre, once estimated to hold up to 3,700 spectators. In such a setting, the imagination doesn’t need to work hard to envisage a scene packed with high drama and high emotion.

The panoramic views of endless olive trees, the shimmering Souda Bay and the majestic White Mountains from Aptera are worth the visit alone.

Tombs of Venizelos

For those interested in the more recent past, visiting the Tombs of Venizelos is a chance to learn about the man often described as “The Maker of Modern Greece”. Eleftherios Venizelos, born in Chania, became one of Greece’s most prominent political figures and a former Prime Minister. He’s a pivotal figure in modern Greek history, leading the country through crucial moments such as the Balkan Wars and World War I.

Located on Profitis Ilias Hill, just a short drive from Chania’s city centre, the tombs are set in a tranquil park surrounded by pine trees, providing a serene atmosphere ideal for reflection. The hill offers panoramic views of Chania, the Cretan Sea and the White Mountains, making it a perfect spot to enjoy a sunset.

Archaeological Museum

Finally, to truly understand Chania’s impressive history, a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Chania is a must. Inside, you’ll uncover the gems of the Minoan civilisation. The museum also presents a treasure-trove collection from different eras including Cycladic, Greek, Hellenistic and Roman.

Many artefacts in the museum give reason to pause, particularly a set of scales called “Weighing of the Souls”. In Greek mythology, supposedly after a person’s death, their good and bad actions would be weighed to determine their fate in the afterlife. I have to say, this belief system would certainly make me think twice before misbehaving!

My final thoughts…

In Chania, history is not only confined to museums and ruins – it’s embedded in the very fabric of the city. By simply walking through its myriad streets, you can soak up traces of the past, from archaeological digs to Venetian fortifications and Ottoman mosques. For a history lover, Chania offers a rich tapestry of stories waiting to be uncovered, making it one of Crete’s most rewarding destinations.