Old Venetian Harbor
Agiou Markou 8, Chania, Crete
Venice ruled Crete for more than 400 years and built Chania’s scenic port during the 14th century. Today, the Old Venetian Harbor is the beating heart of Chania Old Town, with restaurants, bars, and stores nestled beside landmarks from the Venetian Lighthouse to the Firkas Fortress, Grand Arsenal, and Hassan Pasha Mosque.
Lined with colorful homes and bustling tavernas, with its old wall capped by a 70-foot (21-meter) lighthouse, Chania’s Old Venetian Harbor is a lovely spot for a wander. Many historic buildings have been thoughtfully repurposed: Firkas Fortress now houses the Maritime Museum of Crete, while the Venetian Grand Arsenal and the Ottoman mosque host events and exhibitions.
Like much of Chania Old Town, the harbor is pedestrianized. If walking tours aren’t for you, explore by Segway, bicycle, or three-wheel powered scooter. Some Chania food tours include a waterfront stroll.
- While both yachts and fishing boats still moor in the Old Venetian Harbor, ferries and cruise ships dock at the Port of Souda, about a 4-mile (7-kilometer) drive southeast of the harbor.
- The harbor is stroller-friendly, and restaurants generally welcome kids with open arms.
- The harbor has a flat, paved promenade, with steps up to the lighthouse. Outdoor seats at restaurants are usually step-free, and there’s a wheelchair-accessible public restroom on Zampeliou Street.
The Old Venetian Harbor is in Chania, roughly a 9-mile (14-kilometer) drive southwest of the airport, which has international charter flights in summer and local flights year-round. Ferries run regularly between Souda and Athens’ Piraeus port.
The shoulder seasons (May–June and September–October) are great times to visit Greece, with nice weather but fewer crowds. Enjoy the beauty of the Old Venetian Harbor at sunset, perhaps over a waterfront drink. If the Maritime Museum is on your agenda, get there in the afternoon.
History buffs find Crete fascinating not only for its ancient sites (such as Knossos, legendary home of the Minotaur), but also for its remnants of the Venetian Empire (like the lion, a symbol of St. Mark). Highlights include Heraklion’s Venetian walls, vast fortifications constructed during the 15th century; Gramvousa Fortress, perched atop a rocky island off a beautiful beach; and Rethymno’s Venetian Fortezza, with sweeping city views.
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