Chania

Chania (Hania/Xania/Canea/Hanya)

Chania (pronounced hania) is the principal town of Western Crete. A Venetian port whose attractive and lively harbour provides the perfect setting for an evening stroll before dinner at one of the many waterfront tavernas.

Click here for a Chania city centre map.

Restaurants

The old harbour offers a picturesque setting and a wide selection of restaurants, which offer a variety of Greek and 'international' dishes. In general head towards the east end of the harbour front for the best tavernas, or into the small alleyways behind the west end section. Here, tucked away in the narrow backstreets with outdoor courtyard dining, you will find taverns such as ‘Semiramis’ on Skoufon Street., ‘Ela’ on Kondilaki Street. (Both these streets run parallel, and to the west of, Halidon Street). ‘Tamam’ on Zampeliou Street, a popular small taverna set in an old Turkish bath, is also located in this area.

On the main harbour front, a little to the east beyond the mosque is the ‘Monastiri’ taverna with a great harbour view. Continue east to Katehaki square and you’ll find ‘Karnagio’ taverna and also the fine Italian restaurant ‘Kariatis’.  For fresh fish go to the far eastern end of the harbour: ‘Apostolis and ‘Dinos’, amongst others. In general the waterfront restaurants and tavernas with their beckoning attendants are fine if you want a coffee and a pretty view but they have the least interesting 'international style' menus. If you wish to find something more interesting the tavernas in the streets behind the old mosque building are a better bet.