Chania harbour is probably the first thing that visitors to Crete see upon arrival to the beautiful Greek island. It is one of two ports that most pull in to and it is a beauty; the old port, the Venetian harbour, a cluster of old buildings, museums, churches, restaurants, cafes and crafts shops right on the coast.
Carefully built in the 14th century for commercial purposes and to protect against pirate raids, the harbour is a stunning and oft-photographed place that one needs to see with their own eyes. If you have found a vacation rental in Crete, be sure to come an appreciate this charming little port and the equally stunning city right behind it.
The second largest city on Crete and one of the most beautiful of all cities in Greece, Chania has a unique atmosphere that has a touch of the spirit of Florence and Venice from its Venetian roots, which is uniquely and wonderfully combined with the tradition, culture and character of Crete.
Carefully built in the 14th century for commercial purposes and to protect against pirate raids, the harbour is a stunning and oft-photographed place that one needs to see with their own eyes. If you have found a vacation rental in Crete, be sure to come an appreciate this charming little port and the equally stunning city right behind it.
The second largest city on Crete and one of the most beautiful of all cities in Greece, Chania has a unique atmosphere that has a touch of the spirit of Florence and Venice from its Venetian roots, which is uniquely and wonderfully combined with the tradition, culture and character of Crete.
It is the best place to see the types of old Venetian and Turkish buildings that were once scattered all across the island but which have since sadly been destroyed over time.
Built by the Venetians during their colonisation of Crete between 1320 and 1356, it served Venetian military ships and acted as one of the most important commercial ports of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
It was further fortified in the 16th century in the face of a perceived Turkish and then, in the 19th and 20th century, the larger ships that came to be used in trading were too big to enter and the port was gradually abandoned for commercial use. Today, it is where small boats and yachts are anchored, bobbing colourfully in front of the stunning facades of the harbour.
Built by the Venetians during their colonisation of Crete between 1320 and 1356, it served Venetian military ships and acted as one of the most important commercial ports of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
It was further fortified in the 16th century in the face of a perceived Turkish and then, in the 19th and 20th century, the larger ships that came to be used in trading were too big to enter and the port was gradually abandoned for commercial use. Today, it is where small boats and yachts are anchored, bobbing colourfully in front of the stunning facades of the harbour.
As a result of this moving of industry elsewhere, the harbour was never altered further remains the pretty and preserved historical beauty that has made so many fall in love with Crete the moment that they arrive to the island...