Charming Chania: Fall in Love With the Greek Islands & This Historic Town in Crete International

Chania, Crete, is an exceptionally charming town abounding with history. In the old town area, you will find quaint hotels and buildings butted up against byzantine walls (parts of these have been preserved as monuments), close to an amiable Venetian harbour lined with waterfront restaurants, cafes and historic monuments.

A leisurely walk around the harbour's edge will take you past several historic sites and out onto the breakwater leading to the lighthouse, built around 1600. You can still climb up the large stone steps to the gate of the lighthouse for a nice photo opportunity of the port and the town.

From the end of the breakwater you can look across the opening of the port and see the the Firka Fortress on the northwest side of the harbour, constructed to protect the entrance to the port. This maintains its Turkish name, Firka, meaning "barracks." A chain from the Firka Fortress to the lighthouse was used to block the entrance to the port in case of intrusion.

The cobblestone streets are host to numerous restaurants, museums and a wide variety of delightful shops. Two restaurants I highly recommend are The Well of the Turk and Oinopiio. Delightful places to enjoy.

Photo: The Well of the Turk

Photo: Oinopiio

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