Top Things to do in Chania Town
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What to do and see in Chania Town, Crete: The Best Museums
Much of the old town district of Chania was developed around its harbor, which was built by the Venetians during the 14th century. Its lighthouse still proudly overlooks the Mediterranean. Here you’ll find several cinemas and historical attractions like the Archaeological Museum, a collection of Minoan and Roman artifacts that’s housed in the former Monastery of Saint Francis. Word nerds will especially enjoy the Museum of Typography.
Restaurants in Chania Town
1. Omen Art Gallery-Art Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
2. Greek National Football Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 696 reviews
A unique Museum, the biggest one for a National Football Team, the Greek National Football Team, which was European Champions in 2004, located in the Old City of Chania and has over 1000 exhibits, balls from World Cup and Euro games, official shirts, photos and thw whole history of Greek football. BECAUSE OF CORONAVIRUS EPIDEMIC, THE MUSEUM WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE WHOLE MARCH.
Reviewed By che_ham
So glad we made the time to visit, this little museum is excellent, and can easily be visited even if you’re short of time. I’ve never been to a museum quite like this, it really is quite unique. We were limited on time, so were shown the shirts and memorabilia related to my team first - so I got to try on the shirts and get the pictures - then were shown the vast collection of international shirts worn by the greatest players of all time, and finally the lifting the Euro 2004 trophy given to Greece when they won the tournament. The personal touch here is what really makes it special though; being meeted and greeted as a friend, by someone with a genuine love of the game, and who delights in sharing this amazing collection that you can physically touch and feel, instead of the admiring-at-distance you expect of museums. A true home of world football.
3. Museum-Residence of Eleftherios Venizelos
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
The Residence – Museum “Eleftherios K. Venizelos” is classified as an authentic (documentary) home since it is recounting the life of a personage and it is preserving authentic items, most of them in their original position. At the same time the life and era of the Greek politician it is presented giving to the monument the character of a modern museum.
Reviewed By histman
This is a well presented museum in the outskirts of Chania (bus to Stavros). It tells the life of one of Crete’s and Greece’s greatest statesmen at the beginning of the 20th century through the house which was the family home. Each room is very well interpreted with information boards in both Greek and English. The attendant on reception was excellent and loaned us a tablet computer with maps and information for each room. Don’t forget to visit the garage where you can see the car which was damaged as part of an assassination attempt in 1923. Entrance 4 euros (2 for seniors). Expect to spend an hour here.
4. Folklore Museum Cretan House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By malcolmp81 - Greater London, United Kingdom
A series of rooms crammed with home made dioramas, embroideries and other decorations and 19th century and earlier furnishings to explore the way they lived them. Fascinating. our favourite visit of a fortnight's holiday.
5. Minoan's World The 9D Experience
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 479 reviews
Experience the Minoan History like never before! Europe’s oldest civilization meets Europe’s first 3D Museum and 9D Cinema! We are a unique combination of a 3D Museum (non archaeological) with life-like statues made out of silicon and mesmerizing 3D art that comes to life through your phone's camera, and a 9D cinema which will take you back in time with fully immersive special effects such as air blasts, rain, snow, bubbles and smoke. Our epic movie has both a historical and mythological perspective. Multilingual movie system in 10 languages!
Reviewed By bayubabe
Movie with special effects was interesting and very enjoyable. Good place to spend some time away from the Greek heat . Staff extremely friendly and helped take a lot of photos. Freebie short roller coaster movie at the end was fun!
6. Maritime Museum of Crete
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 944 reviews
Reviewed By abager - London, United Kingdom
Everything to do with the sea, from naval battles over many centuries, to diving boots and a collection of shells. There's also much sad and fascinating material related to the British/Cretan defence of Crete against the airborne German assault during the Second World War. Worth a visit. Collections like this need our support.
7. Municipal Art Gallery of Chania
8. Galerie Bettina
9. Archaeological Museum of Chania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 791 reviews
On September 13, 2020, Archaeological Museum of Chania closed its gates to the public. The long journey begins in 1899, when the Hegemonic Council of the Cretan State votes its founding; on July 14, 1962, after many adventures, it officially opens its gates to the public in the catholic of the Venetian Monastery of St. Francis; the journey is finally ending in 2021, in its permanent home, at Halepa place. For almost sixty years, located in the heart of the old city of Chania, was the ark that preserved and displayed the archaeological wealth of the land of Chania, offering knowledge, aesthetic pleasure, education and valuable experiences to thousands of visitors and scientists from Greece and around the world. Leaving the hospitable katholikon of St. Francis, all antiquities will meet the public in 2021 in a new, equally hospitable place, the new Archaeological Museum of Chania at Halepa.
Reviewed By giuliapN5276JC
The Museum is housed in the Venetian-built church of San Francesco and it can be tricky to spot from the outside as it is very modest and blends in with the rest of the buildings along the street. Inside it is quite small and simple in its layout, but the collection is beautiful with some unique artefacts. We bought the ticket that included the visit to the Byzantine Museum (€6 per person). The artefacts that stood out the most to us were the Master Impression seal and the Roman mosaics. There is a lovely little garden too where you can admire a fountain and the base of a minaret from when the Turks converted the church into a mosque. We definitely recommend a visit to this little gem.
10. Folklore Museum of Chania
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 144 reviews
Reviewed By Maggi1949 - Wales, United Kingdom
This small museum, tucked away beside the Catholic Church, near the port area, is very well worth a visit. It packs into three or four small rooms items that show Cretan life until the very recent past. The memorabilia are fascinating and well laid out. The curator works on site, using an old sewing machine to produce elaborate tapestries of historical scenes, which adorn one small room. At 2 euros entrance, it is delightful and very informative.
