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Chania Old Town Private Tour
5.0
36 Ratings
Chania Town
Immerse yourself in the ancient civilizations and historical streets of Chania’s Old Town on a private van tour. Discover the influences of Minoan, Roman, Venetian, and Ottoman cultures as you stroll through historic alleys and explore the Orthodox, Muslim, and Jewish quarters. Book now!
Duration:
5 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Chania Town - Tour Chania old town and visit various landmarks and historic sites
- Old Venetian Harbor - Tour Chania old town for 3 hours, visit the landmarks and historic sites.
- Lighthouse of Chania - Chania lighthouse is the oldest light house in the Mediterranean, built in 1864. The lighthouse is the main landmark of Chania. The tower is 21m high and is built on a stone base, located at the end of the old harbour’s pier opposite to the fortress of Firkas. Visitors are not allowed to enter the lighthouse. Chania lighthouse was first constructed by the Venetians around 1600, destroyed in the siege of Chania and it took its final form, in the shape of a minaret, during the Egyptian occupation. It was restored in 1996.
- Firkas Fortress - The fortress of Firkas on the northwest side of the port of Chania was constructed between 1610 and 1645 to protect the Venetian harbour entrance from raiders. The fall of the city of Chania in the hands of the Turks in 1645, meant automatically that the fortress belonged to the new conquerors. That is when it got its current name, because “Firka” in Turkish means “barrack”. On the northern side of the Firka fortress were six consecutive domes, that sheltered the large cannons, so that they would face the entrance of the harbor and face any possible attacker. The Firka Fortress was used as a prison since then and up to the Greek civil war of the 20th century. During the Ottoman rule, the Firka Fortress constituted the seat of the military governor of the city. It is the place where the Greek flag was raised, in 1913, the year of the reunion of Crete with Greece. Today, at the entrance of the Fortress is situated the Maritime Museum.
- Cathedral of Eisodion tis Theotokou - The Orthodox Cathedral of Chania or church of Trimartiri is situated in Halidon street. The present temple was built on the place of an older church of Virgin Mary which dated back to the 14th century. In 1645, during the Ottoman occupation, the temple was converted into a soap factory , owned by the Turkish official Moustafa Pasha Giritli. The reconstruction of the church was completed in 1860 in the style of a three aisle Basilica, and was donated by the local pasha to the local community. On the northeast side of the temple there is the high bell-tower. The church features three aisles with the central one dedicated to the Virgin Mary (celebrated on November 21st), the north aisle one dedicated to Saint Nicholas and the southern one to the Three Hierarchs.
- Etz Hayyim Synagogue - 3 euro entrance fee per person. Etz Hayyim was converted into a Synagogue in the 17th century, when the Jewish community of Chania purchased the Church of St. Catherine, an empty 15th-century Venetian church. The synagogue, which suffered serious bombardment, was abandoned after the end of World War with the perishing of the Jewish community and reopened in 1999, with the support of the World Monument Fund (WMF), in co-operation with the Central Israeli Council of Greece. Nowdays the Etz Hayyim Synagogue is the only active synagogue that has survived on the island.
- Hassan Pascha Mosque - One of the first Ottoman buildings of the island is Mosque of Hasan Kucuk or Yali Tzamisi. The mosque was built in honour of Kioutsouk Hassan Pasha, the first Ottoman military commander of Chania, while the Yali Tzamisi name translates as “mosque of the sea”. The building is an example of Islamic architecture Renaissance designed form an Armenian architect, dating from mid 17th century. The mosque operated as a mosque until 1923. It is a cubic building covered by a large dome supported by four stone arches, while the west and north side is surrounded by an arcade roofed with seven small domes. In the southwest corner there was a minaret from which saved only the base. Today the building operates as an exhibition for cultural events and visual art exhibitions.
- Venetian Neoria - During the Venetian occupation (1204-1669) Neoria, the shipyards were built. In 1467, Venice ordered the construction of 16 shipyards. During the Turkish occupation shipyards were converted in military warehouses. Today 7 shipyards survive, entrance is not allowed as they need repair.
- Minoan Excavations - Chania is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. The Minoan civilisation dates before 3000BC and it somehow violently ended in 1250BC when there was a destructive earthquake and Tsunami. Many researches believe that the Minoan civilisation was destroyed after the eruption of Santorini volcano. At Kasteli hill archaeological excavations the foundations of buildings, streets and sewage networks can be seen. The excavations are ongoing. Kydonia was the name of Chania during the Minoan era.
- Souda - Its a shore excursion tour, pick up and return to Souda port. Souda is 20-minute drive from Chania, one way.
- Municipal Market of Chania - The Municipal Market of Chania, is the “heart” of the city. Its foundation started on August 14, 1911, at the place that was the main rampart of the fortification during the Venetian period, and the construction of the building was completed during the second half of 1913. The Municipal Market is cross shaped and has four doors, one in each ward, that close to provide security at the shops that are hosted there. Today at the building of the Municipal Market are hosted many shops that sell local products and souvenirs. The Municipal Market constitutes an architectural jewel for Chania and is one of the most impressive markets in Balkans.
- Church of Agios Nikolaos - The church of Agios Nikolaos, which was built around 1320, during the Venetian Period, was originally a part of the monastery of the Dominican Order. It is quite special as it is equipped with a tower as well as a minaret. During the Venetian period it constituted the most important church in the city. After the predominance of the Turks in Chania the temple was turned into a mosque and was named Hiougkar Tzamisi (mosque of the Emperor), in honor of the sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Its importance is highlighted by the existence of two balconies instead of one on the minaret. In 1928, after being seized by the Christians orthodox, the mosque was once again turned into a church, dedicated to Agios Nikolaos.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Guiding Services
What's Not Included
- 20 euro for lunch per person in a local restaurant (optional)
- Shopping around Chania Old Town (optional)
Additional Information
This is an exclusive tour designed for a maximum of 6 guests, utilizing a spacious 7-seat van. Pick-ups will be done from Souda port or hotels situated near the western coast of Chania.
The historical charm of Chania’s Old Town has been preserved since the Minoan Civilization era that dates back to 5000BC. It has remained a thriving hub of growth and affluence, directly shaped by multiple cultural influences from Romans, Arabs, Jews, Venetians, and Ottoman Turks. Our tour guides you through the historical labyrinth of streets where you can observe the Byzantine and Venetian/Ottoman Walls and Fortifications. As we navigate through the principal lanes, we witness the chronicles of history unravel, from the archeological revelations of Minoan era to the Medieval and Modern Ages echoed in ancient buildings, churches, synagogues, and mosques. We will be exploring the Orthodox, Muslim, and Jewish Districts, and delve into the dynamics of cohabitation through various peaceful and tumultuous eras. The tour wraps up with an option for a delightful meal at a local restaurant.
- You must be able to get in and get out of the car. Some places are not wheelchair accessible and we have to follow different route
- In case of traveller’s serious health problems or other medical concerns please notify us
Location
Chania Town
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(36 Ratings)
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Resort30571823942
Aug 7, 2024
Greece - Fabulous place tons of shopping and great food!!!
Friendly locals and the scenery is amazing!!!
A family place for sure
Great memories!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Benjamin_i
Aug 2, 2024
5 Star Private Tour of Chania/Crete - Our family of five, including my teenage kids and my mother-in-law, were on a cruise with Royal Caribbean. As part of our cruise, we wanted to make sure we had a chance to see each of the ports and learn about the amazing history. We decided to book private tours to avoid the large tour bus experience and have a more intimate adventure. Our stop in Chania did not disappoint.
We arrived off the boat early in the morning and met George, who was super knowledgeable and friendly. He drove us down to Old Town Chania and introduced us to our guide Zoe. Zoe was awesome from the start. She personalized our tour, ensuring all of us were comfortable with the pace and answering all our questions. She took us all through Chania, explaining the history, culture, and architecture. We learned a great deal and had the chance to explore Chania with our small group at our own pace.
After the tour, Zoe returned us to the port area, and we selected Zepos for lunch. The local food was great, and the view of the port was fantastic. After lunch, George picked us back up and drove us back to the ship. On the way, he stopped at the Allied War Cemetery in Souda Bay and explained Greece's history with the World Wars. He was extremely knowledgeable. For any World War history enthusiasts, make sure to book a tour with George when you visit Crete.
All five of our family members loved the tour and enjoyed our time in Crete. Highly recommended
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_m
Jul 29, 2024
Outstanding tour and tour guide. - A great tour by an excellent tour guide! George was very intelligent, knowledgeable, kind, and accommodating (very important for us as two of our party have mobility issues). George took us to the highlights of the area and made the experience a memorable one. Though the vehicle was somewhat cramped for five, we would highly recommend it to others!
Review provided by Viator
Sue_m
Jul 8, 2024
What a tour - George was an amazing guide who added on an experience of heading to the mountains to a family run taverna where they only cook over fire! It made our tour absolutely unforgettable!
Thanks for a great day out George!
Review provided by Viator
Connie_d
Jul 1, 2024
Wonderful! - George was an excellent guide. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. He has a deep understanding about the history of Crete and is very good at sharing information and keeping it interesting! Thank you George!
Review provided by Viator
Marc_f
Jun 28, 2024
Beautiful city - Wonderful tour of the city with a local who teaches you so much and has some wonderful perspective and stories.
Review provided by Viator
Marilyn_p
Jun 13, 2024
Chania Town and Extension - We took the tour with our Basketball friend George who guided us through all the lovely parts of Chania old town and and an extension through a beautiful gorge in the mountains and an amazing lunch at a farm to table rustic outdoor venue where Cretan dishes were prepared in clay pots. It was a full day and we appreciated the expertise and passion with which George spoke about his country. Not to be missed!
Review provided by Viator
Karen_s
Jun 12, 2024
Amazing - Our time was great but the temperature was very warm so dress for the extra warm weather. We enjoyed going to the old town but was not able to walk due to my family’s medical issues. I would recommend Peter or George. Peter was very knowledgeable about the culture and area. We had a party of six adults and the vehicle was a little small for my family
Review provided by Viator
Bethjam1023
May 22, 2024
Pleasant day in Crete - Sofia and Ariadni were lovely. Easy group of people to deal with. Crete is underrated. Very nice day
Review provided by Viator
Scarter004
May 5, 2024
Crete - Going to the Island of Crete has been on my bucket list for over 60 years. It did not disappoint. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and provided us with great information.
Review provided by Viator
