The discovery of clay tablets with Linear B script during ongoing excavations on Kastelli Hill to the east of the Venetian Harbour has led archaeologists to conclude that present-day Hania sits atop an important Minoan city and palace site called Ancient Kydonia. The finest among the unearthed artefacts are displayed in Hania’s Archaeological Museum. There are information boards in English at the site of the ruins.
Ancient Kydonia
Hania
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
8.03 MILES
The ruins of the ancient city of Aptera, about 13.5km east of Hania, spread over two hills that lord grandly over Souda Bay. Founded in the 7th century BC…
24.65 MILES
The rugged Gramvousa Peninsula cradles the lagoon-like sandy beach of Balos, whose shallow, shimmering turquoise waters draw huge crowds in summer. This…
0.16 MILES
The setting alone in the beautifully restored 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to visit this fine collection of artefacts from…
0.14 MILES
There are few places where Hania's historic charm and grandeur are more palpable than in the old Venetian Harbour. It's lined by pastel-coloured buildings…
7.63 MILES
Akrotiri Peninsula’s major cultural site, the impressive and beautiful 17th-century Moni Agias Triadas, is an active monastery with a rich library and is…
24.81 MILES
This broad sweep of beach has magical-looking pink-cream sands and teal waters and is known for its stunning sunsets. Along with superb water clarity,…
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno
27.64 MILES
Set inside the atmospheric Venetian-built Church of St Francis, this well-curated museum features a stunning collection of well-preserved relics unearthed…
8.8 MILES
A family-run business for over 25 years, this pretty winery in the village of Vatolakkos – 16km southwest of the centre of Hania – is well worth a visit…
Nearby Hania attractions
0.08 MILES
Impressively restored from a roofless ruin, the 16th-century Venetian arsenal was the last of the 17 shipyard buildings in Hania's Venetian Harbour. After…
0.1 MILES
One of the prettiest and most dominant vestiges of the Turkish era is this dusky-pink multidomed former mosque on the eastern side of the Venetian Harbour…
0.1 MILES
This 17th-century Venetian church was probably built following an outbreak of plague and was turned into a military guardhouse under the Turks. Restored…
0.14 MILES
There are few places where Hania's historic charm and grandeur are more palpable than in the old Venetian Harbour. It's lined by pastel-coloured buildings…
0.14 MILES
One of Hania’s most intriguing buildings is this Venetian-era church with both a bell tower and a double-balconied minaret – the latter replaced a second…
0.15 MILES
This three-aisled basilica with its prominent bell tower is dedicated to the Virgin of the Three Martyrs, Hania's patron saint. The present structure was…
0.15 MILES
Soaring above the rooftops of the charismatic Splantzia quarter, the Ahmet Aga Minaret is one of Hania’s two remaining minarets from the Ottoman era.
8. Hania Archaeological Museum
0.16 MILES
The setting alone in the beautifully restored 16th-century Venetian Church of San Francisco is reason to visit this fine collection of artefacts from…
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