Worth a Detour
Venetian Harbor
A curving harbor of Venetian arsenals and old houses, with a stone lighthouse at the end of the breakwater.
- Open
- Always
- Price
- Free
- Time Needed
- 2 hours
- Address
- Akti Kountourioti, ChaniaDirections
- Getting There
- In the old town, a 10-minute walk from the bus station.
Why Go
The Venetians built the harbor in the 14th century, and the vaulted arsenals where their galleys were built still stand along the eastern quay. Walk the breakwater out to the lighthouse for the view back over the town to the White Mountains.
The domed Mosque of the Janissaries on the waterfront, from the 17th century, is the oldest Ottoman building on Crete; the Firkas Fortress guards the harbor mouth on the other side.
Tips
- Come back after dark, when the harbor lights come on and the waterfront fills up.
Nearby in Chania
Go Next
1–3 of 6
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Traveler Reviews
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