Chania, crete greece - 05 12 2022: Venetian harbour of the pittoresk cretan town with colorful old houses; Shutterstock ID 2227253445; your: Barbara Di Castro; gl: 65050; netsuite: digital; full: poi
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Venetian Harbour

Top choice in Hania


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 that punctuate a maze of narrow lanes lined with shops and tavernas. The eastern side is dominated by the domed Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan, now an exhibition hall, while a few steps further east the impressively restored Grand Arsenal houses the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture.

At sunset, join locals and tourists on a stroll out to the lighthouse that stands sentinel over the harbour entrance.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Hania attractions

1. Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan

0.04 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…

2. Etz Hayyim Synagogue

0.1 MILES

Crete’s only remaining synagogue (dating from the 15th century) was badly damaged in WWII and reopened only in 1999. It sports a mikveh (ritual bath),…

3. Hania Archaeological Museum

0.12 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…

4. Cretan House Folklore Museum

0.13 MILES

Hania’s interesting Folklore Museum contains a selection of crafts, including weavings with traditional designs; local paintings; and several rooms of a…

5. Maritime Museum of Crete

0.13 MILES

Part of the hulking Venetian-built Firkas Fortress at the western port entrance, this museum celebrates Crete’s nautical tradition with model ships, naval…

6. Ancient Kydonia

0.14 MILES

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…

7. Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Collection

0.14 MILES

In the impressively restored Venetian Church of San Salvatore, this small but fascinating collection of artefacts, icons, jewellery and coins spans the…

8. Greek Orthodox Cathedral

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…

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