8 Historical & Heritage Tours in Chania That You Shouldn't Miss

March 12, 2022 Brain Ambrose

Chania (Greek: Χανιά, [xaˈɲa], Venetian: Canea, Ottoman Turkish: خانيه Hanya) is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It lies along the north coast of the island, about 70 km (43 mi) west of Rethymno and 145 km (90 mi) west of Heraklion.
Restaurants in Chania

1. Private Tour: Exploring Chania and its Villages

Santorini Wine Tour
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Sightsee around the scenic villages of Crete in the company of a local guide in a private luxury vehicle Choose an itinerary tailored to your interests and specifications Zero hassle! Your personal guide will arrange everything Visit the top wineries of the region to discover unique and hard-to-find wines Relax on some of the most beautiful beaches of Greece Visit archaeological sites that give an insight to a civilization lost since the remote antiquity. Sample Itinerary : The tour will start at the seaside traditional village of Armeni, and continue to the region of Alikambos, where we’ll walk in olive & citrus groves of unparalleled beauty, where the rows of fruit-bearing trees point toward the sea. Last, we’ll visit Limni Kourna, a gorgeous, untouched lake of great geological and ecological significance. After a walk by the the azure waters of the lake, you can visit the village of Kournas, the seat of the Cretan Revolution of 1866.

Inclusions: Pick up & return luxury transfer, Half day private tour with an experienced, local english speaking guide, Private Chauffeured luxury service

Exclusions: Admission fees and guided tours to museums or archaeological sites, Wine tasting fees, Personal expenses, Food and drink expenses, unless specified, All Gratuities

Reviewed By Francis M

Our guide was great as we scheduled easy pick up and drop off locations. Each winery had a different feel as they were located in different parts of southern Santorini. Tour was finished off with Venetsanos winery which was located in the cliffs overlooking the caldera. We would recommend.

2. Chania Old Town Half Day Tour + Mountain Restaurant Full Day Tour

Niriis Tours
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Chania since the ancient times was a melting pot of civilizations and cultures, each invader and new town resident leaving its mark on history, architecture and culture. Chania is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe dating back to Minoan civilization around 5.000BC! In this tour we will try to trace the remains of civilizations, in the buildings and monuments. By doing so we will go through the waterfront, alleyways, fortifications, viewpoints and marks of the past. We will see how Chania has changed over time, the buildings added and destroyed! The city was divided in the Christian, Muslim and Jewish quarters. We will go through them where we will show you historic points of interest not so obvious to the average visitor. Although the tour focuses on history, we will explore the culture and traditions of Chania and how they have merged to form the modern day city of Chania! There is an option for lunch on a traditional Mountain Restaurant!

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Guiding Services

Exclusions: Snacks, Optional lunch for 20 euro in Chania town or at an exceptional mountain restaurant (45 minute drive), Optional wine tasting for 12 euro for 30 minutes

Reviewed By arnaudb163

We had a fantastic day with Georges, our guide. He knows everything about his country and its history (that he studied). His french was surprisingly good ! Great experience.

3. Chania Old Town Private Tour

Niriis Tours
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Chania’s Old Town is being inhabited since the ancient ages of the Minoan Civilization from 5000BC. Since then it has always been a vivid place of prosperity and growth, influenced through the ages by the various cultures, Romans, Arabs, Jews, due to its geopolitical place in the Mediterranean Sea and those who invaded it particularly in the late years, such us the Venetians and the Ottoman Turks. We will stroll through the historic alleys and pinpoint the Byzantine and the Venetian/Ottoman Walls and Fortifications, then walk through the main streets and see the emergence of history from the Ancient Ages from the archeological excavations inside the Old Town to the Medieval and Recent Ages through the old buildings, the churches, the synagogues and the mosques. Also we will visit the Orthodox, the Muslim and the Jewish Quarter and how people lived together through times with peace or turbulence.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Guiding Services

Exclusions: 20 euro for lunch per person in a local restaurant (optional) , Shopping around Chania Old Town (optional)

Reviewed By KyrMov

What can i say about this amazing tour? There are few words to describe my unique experience and the great time, me and my family had with such a great person like our guide that really took great care of us! The lunch is the highlight on this trip! I can not wait to visit again soon and take another trip with this fantastic company! I would recommend this tour without second thoughts!!

4. Chania Old Town and Countryside Private Tour

Niriis Tours
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This unique tour combines exploring the Cretan nature, the most spectacular gorge close to Chania and the villages surrounding it, followed by lunch in perhaps one of the best bio restaurants in Crete! We will drive through spectacular natural scenery, inside the gorge leading to the foot of the White Mountains, where the restaurant is located. All food in the small family restaurant is produced, handmade and cooked in wood oven, from bread to the local Cretan and Greek recipes! If you wish, we could walk around the farm and area, depending on the season and weather. It's not only a nature experience through a gorge but also a cultural one, as we will visit two small Byzantine churches and the lunch at the end is an experience by itself. On the way back we drive by the side of mountain over Chania with panoramic view of the town and Souda port!

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Guiding Services

Exclusions: 20 euro for lunch in the mountain restaurant

Reviewed By C3515JWdanielv

I enjoyed my talk very much. My guide was easy to talk to and happy to answer any questions I had about Greece. he even went to the trouble of getting me some grapes from the vine and figs from the trees, and they proved to be delicious!

5. Private Full-Day West Crete from Heraklion

Stagakis Grand Prestige
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Start with a coffee under the, centuries-old, plane trees at the picturesque village of Spili. Then, driving through the Kourtaliotiko gorge you can enjoy the incredible view, get a close look of the waterfall and even dip your feet in the cool water. Next is the Preveli Monastery which dates back to the 10th century. The monastery is associated with the struggles for Crete’s independence and, more recently, the WWII when the allies used it as a gateway to the Middle East. If you are in a mood for a swim, the next stop is definitely the village of Plakias. Next are the cities of Rethimno and Hania which both have an intriguing mixture of Venetian and Ottoman architecture and buildings with well-preserved elements of that.

Inclusions: V.I.P.- class, air-conditioned vehicle, Fridge, Bottled water, Fully equipped First-Aid-Kit, Honey/Raki tasting

Exclusions: Drinks and Meals, Entrance fees, Souvenirs and personal expenses

Reviewed By 324lenap

We took the tour on a hunch and did not regret it. Costas made the tour feel like a day trip with old friends . His knowledge of the local history and culture is amazing all wrapped in a natural sense of humour. The locations selected very carefully to reflect the best this place has to offer and the vehicle was comfortable and spotless The highlight was the homemade raki and honey. we can't recommend the service enough .

6. Battle of Crete Tour WW2 Half Day Tour

Niriis Tours

Explore the battlefields and memorials where the first airborne-only attack in history took place. The Battle of Crete is unique because it's the first attack in history prepared and performed exclusively by airborne units! It was a man to man battle where belligerents had little support from their far-flung bases. In this tour we will give a detailed account of the battle of Crete regarding equipment, units, strengths and weaknesses, defense and attack positions, the course of battle and various stories! We can focus on specific units, nationalities or any interest you might have if we know in advance. We will visit the main battle locations in western Crete at Maleme and Galatas, two Cemeteries and a couple of Memorials.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation, Guiding Services for the WW2 Memorials in Chania

Exclusions: 10 euro - For snacks and drinks

Reviewed By arnaudb163

We had a fantastic day with Georges, our guide. He knows everything about his country and its history (that he studied). His french was surprisingly good ! Great experience.

7. Chania & Kournas Lake From Rethymnon

Checkin Creta Travel Services

Chania, the most beautiful city in Greece. Kournas Lake, the only natural lake in Crete. Explore in one day 2 legendary areas of Crete. Your leisure time in Chania will be 3.5 hours and you can stroll through the picturesque alleys, see the imposing lighthouse and wander through Municipal Market. At Kournas Lake you will have 1.5 hours of free time exploring the lake or enjoying your meal at the local Have a nice tour!

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Food and Beverage

Reviewed By Jelena J

Super! Very easy to contact, great organization, nice guide, very friendly price. In addition, they agreed to pick up us from Chania - for this special thanks.

8. Chania's Turbulent History: Uncover the stories of its Old Town on an audio tour

Old Chania Market, Chania 731 32, Greece VoiceMap Chania

Did you know that Chania has been inhabited since the Neolithic Period? We’d love to share the amazing history of this little town with you on this self-guided audio tour. You’ll discover its remarkable architecture along the way, including a magnificent lighthouse, churches, mosques, shipyards and the old town’s well preserved houses. They’re a reminder of all the people and cultures that have influenced local life, from ancient times through to the Byzantine era, the Venetian occupation and Turkish rule. I’ll also point out the entertainment and cultural offerings that make the modern town so vibrant. During this tour, I’ll give you local insight, share fun facts, and introduce you to Chania's cultural identity through storytelling. We’ll explore some secret spots and find the old town’s hidden treasures too. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for this walk. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars en route for a quick (or lengthy!) stop.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to this tour in English, VoiceMap App for Android and iOS, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Smartphone and headphones, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route, Food and drink, Transportation

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