Hania

The See Greece guide to Hania (or Chania) including its museums and other attractions, shopping opportunities, and transport links with the rest of Crete.

Hania, on the northwest coast of Crete, is one of Greece’s most enchanting towns. It offers a blend of Venetian and Ottoman history, lively museums, a picturesque harbour lined with cafes and restaurants, vibrant shopping in its Municipal Market, and excellent transport links including an airport, ferries, and cruise ship arrivals.

Chania or Hania?

You can use either version of the name. We’ve also seen it spelled as Khania. In Greek it’s Χανιά, which is pronounced most closely as Hania, so that’s the version we’ve gone with.

Location of Hania

Hania lies on the northwest coast of Crete, Greece’s largest island. It is the second-largest city on Crete after Irakleion and was the island’s capital until 1971, when Irakleion took over. The town is nestled between the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and the Cretan Sea, giving it a dramatic backdrop of rugged peaks and sparkling waters. Its strategic position made it a hub for successive civilizations—Minoan, Venetian, Ottoman, and modern Greek—each leaving their mark on the architecture and culture.

Brief History of Hania

Hania’s roots lie in ancient Kydonia, a powerful Minoan city mentioned by Homer. Archaeological evidence shows settlements here as early as 3650 BC, with the hill of Kasteli serving as the nucleus of Minoan life. Kydonia thrived as a center of trade and craftsmanship, producing fine ceramics and maintaining strong maritime connections.

During the Roman era, Hania enjoyed prosperity, with luxurious public buildings and a theatre. The Byzantines later fortified the area, though Arab raiders briefly seized it in the 9th century. In the 13th century, the Venetians transformed Hania into a fortified port, constructing the iconic harbour, arsenals, and defensive walls that still define the Old Town. Their rule lasted for centuries, leaving behind elegant architecture and a cosmopolitan spirit.

The Ottomans captured Hania in 1645, adding mosques and Turkish houses to the urban fabric. After centuries of Ottoman rule, Crete united with Greece in 1913, and Hania became the island’s capital until 1971. Today, the town’s layered history is visible in its streets, where Minoan ruins, Venetian fortifications, Ottoman mosques, and neoclassical mansions coexist, making Hania a living museum of Mediterranean heritage

Museums and Attractions

Hania is rich in cultural institutions and historic sites:

Archaeological Museum of Hania

The best finds from Kydonia are on display in Chania’s Archaeological Museum, which is also rich in remains from several other sites in western Crete. It has a good pottery collection, and several good sculptures and mosaics. The building itself is also of interest, although the outside belies the interior. It was once the Venetian Church of San Francesco, and later converted by the Turks into a mosque. The remnants of a minaret and a fountain can be seen in a lovely little courtyard.

Maritime Museum of Crete

The bulk of the harbour shows Chania’s Venetian aspect, especially in the restored Firkas fortress. It’s an interesting if small place to wander round, with good views of the harbour, and in one of its towers is the Nautical Museum with its collection of model ships and accounts of sea battles in the waters off the coast.

Even if you are not a naval type, it is worth visiting to see an incredibly detailed scale model of Chania as it was in the 17th century, town as well as harbour, including the 16th-century Venetian Arsenali, or boat yards, which can also still be seen on the harbour. The Nautical Museum also contains one of the most vivid accounts of the Battle of Crete that you will see anywhere on the island.

Folklore Museum

Chania also has a Folklore Museum, tucked away in the southeastern corner of the city but well worth walking out to, perhaps stopping off on the way at the busy Central Market. The museum is housed in what was obviously a once-elegant town house, when this area was one of Chania’s more fashionable districts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In among the memorabilia of local worthies, meaning little to the foreign visitor, are some gems including excellent information on the Cretan resistance Movement during World War II, and the earlier struggle for independence from the Turks. Some of the graphic displays of events during the German occupation are not for the faint-hearted, but will tell you a lot about the Cretan spirit and character.

Historical Museum & Archives

Offers insights into Crete’s modern history, including the struggle for independence.

Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Collection

Displays icons, coins, and jewelry in another Venetian-era church.

Firkas Fortress

A Venetian stronghold at the harbour entrance, now part of the Maritime Museum.

Mosque of the Janissaries

Also known as the Mosque of Kioutsouk Hasan, this is a striking Ottoman-era building on the harbourfront. It dates from 1645 and the oldest surviving Ottoman building on Crete. It was damaged during World War II, then restored and for many years made an unmissable Tourist Information Centre, but today it is used occasionally for exhibitions.

The Harbour

The Old Venetian Harbour is Hania’s crown jewel. Built in the 14th century, it is lined with pastel-colored buildings, a lighthouse, and Ottoman-era structures. Today, it’s the heart of the town’s social life. Around the harbour are plenty of cafes, tavernas, and restaurants. Dining here is as much about atmosphere as food—the sight of fishing boats, the lighthouse at sunset, and the buzz of locals and visitors.

Shopping in Hania

Shopping in Hania is centered on the Municipal Market (Agora), built in 1913 in the shape of a cross. It remains a vibrant hub where locals buy fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and herbs. For visitors, it’s a treasure trove of souvenirs:

Olive oil products
Soaps, cosmetics, and gourmet oils. See our page about visiting an olive oil factory on Crete.

Cretan honey
Especially thyme honey, a local specialty.

Leather goods
Including sandals and bags, often handmade.

Knives
The traditional Cretan knife, often engraved with a mantinada (poetic verse).

Pottery and textiles
Hand-painted ceramics and woven fabrics from artisan workshops.

Wine and raki
Local spirits and wines make excellent gifts.

Beyond the market, the Old Town’s narrow streets are filled with boutiques selling jewelry, art, and modern fashion.

Transport Links

Airport
Hania is served by Chania International Airport (Ioannis Daskalogiannis), located about 14 km east of the town. It connects Crete with Athens, other Greek islands, and many European cities.

Ferries
Ferries operate from Souda Bay, the port of Hania, to Piraeus (Athens). This is one of the main maritime gateways to western Crete.

Cruise Ships
Cruise ships dock at Souda Bay, about 15 minutes from Hania’s Old Town. Shuttle buses usually bring passengers directly to the harbour area.

Links to Other Parts of Crete
Hania is well connected by road to other parts of Crete:
– Irakleio: About 2.5 hours east by bus or car.
– Rethymnon: Roughly 1 hour east.
– Southern Crete: Roads lead to Sfakia and Paleochora, gateways to beaches and gorges.

Public buses (KTEL) provide reliable service across the island, and taxis or private transfers are widely available.

More Information

The official visitor website is Visit Chania, with more information from the Hania Tourism Bureau.