Chania's Turbulent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of it's Old Town

Embark on a self-guided audio tour of Chania’s Old Town and uncover its turbulent history. Explore remarkable architecture, hidden treasures, and vibrant cultural offerings along the way.

Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Old Chania Market - The tour starts outside the Old Chania Market.
  • Trimartiri, Chania’s Cathedral Church - The tour briefly stops outside the Trimartiri, Chania’s Cathedral Church.
  • Etz Hayyim Synagogue - The tour makes a quick stop outside the Etz Hayyim Synagogue.
  • Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa - The tour passes by the Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa.
  • Maritime Museum of Crete - The tour passes by the Maritime Museum of Crete.
  • Church of Saint Rocco - The tour passes by the Church of St. Rocco
  • Church of Agios Nikolaos - The tour passes by the Church of Agios Nikolaos
  • Venetian Neoria - The tour passes by the Neoria (Venetian Shipyards)
  • Old Venetian Harbor - The tour passes by the Old Venetian Harbour.
  • Kucuk Hasan Mosque - The tour ends outside the Mosque Küçük Hasan.
What's Included
  • VoiceMap App for Android and iOS
  • Lifetime access to this tour in English
  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
What's Not Included
  • Smartphone and headphones
  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
  • Food and drink
  • Transportation
Additional Information

Did you realize that Chania’s habitation stretches back to the Neolithic era? We’re eager to explore the fascinating past of this quaint town with you on this independently-led audio expedition.

You’ll stumble upon its spectacular architectural gems, including a striking lighthouse, churches, mosques, dockyards and the well-maintained residences of the old town. These buildings brace the memories of all individuals and cultures that have shaped Chania’s society, from ancient epochs, through the Byzantine period, the Venetian invasion and Turkish domination. I’ll highlight the modern customs and vibrant cultural scenes that define the town today as well.

During our journey, I’ll provide you with local perspectives, entertaining trivia, and we’ll delve into the cultural persona of Chania via narrative. We’ll also uncover some hidden venues and the old town’s concealed gems.

Allocate between 1.5 and 2 hours for this stroll. There are a plethora of cafes, eateries, and watering holes along the way for a brief (or extended!) respite.

Location
Old Chania Market
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.4
(19 Ratings)
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475maxborg
Aug 1, 2024
Better find time to visit this town. - Chania Town, located on the stunning island of Crete, is a captivating blend of history and vibrant culture. The town boasts an array of historical sites, including the impressive Venetian Harbor, the charming old town with its narrow alleys, and the beautiful old mosque-turned-museum. Each corner seems to whisper stories from the past, making it a paradise for history enthusiasts. In addition to its historical charm, Chania is brimming with shops and boutiques, offering everything from local artisan crafts to trendy fashion. Strolling through the market, visitors can find unique souvenirs, delicious local delicacies, and fresh produce that showcase the region's rich culinary heritage. However, one drawback of Chania Town is its traffic, which can be quite congested, especially during peak tourist season. Navigating the roads can be frustrating for both locals and visitors alike, so it's advisable to explore the town on foot whenever possible to truly immerse oneself in its beauty. Overall, Chania Town is a delightful destination rich in history and culture, though travelers should be prepared for its busy streets. Whether you're seeking to explore historical landmarks or shop for unique gifts, Chania offers a memorable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Malte_p
Jul 25, 2024
Great to get around Old Town - Great to have a walk around Old Town while getting supplementary Information on the ancient sights. We didn't make the whole tour in one day, gladly you can resume your tour and pick up where you left, if you happen to not make it in one go. There are some takes of recording where there's a speaking mistake, but that is not something I found disturbing in any way.
Review provided by Viator
Kathleen_s
Jun 18, 2024
Well Worth It. - We really enjoyed walking through beautiful Old Chania at our own pace. We stopped at a delighted restaurant where flowering bushes added to the view and shade to the area we chose to sit. It is an area worth visiting for sure!
Review provided by Viator
Wyenot9
Feb 22, 2024
Highly recommended - Great value. Download to your phone connect to a pair of Bluetooth headphones and your away. Explore at your own pace and do it in more than one hit we did. We've used this provider a couple of times. Very satisfactory. I can't get excited its a self guided walking tour but I'll used the provider again and am happy to recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wyeno
Oct 19, 2023
Highly recommended - Excellent way to visit the city at your own pace while learning the history and discovering "hidden" gems. Like the restored synagog. Pick up, stop and resume facility worked well. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonrichards21
Sep 24, 2023
Highly recommend and value for money. Chania is amazing. - Absolutely brilliant way to see parts of the town you would not normally venture out to see. Well worth the money. It says 90 mins to do but to be fair you can take as long as you like. We took about four hours but that's because we stopped a lot. When you get to the synagogue I recommend you ring the door bell and someone will let you in.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pafpiper
Oct 2, 2023
Worth the fee - Lovely way to be guided around the old streets although could have been more informative...why did the old Market Place at the start point become defunct?? We did experience some repetition as mentioned in a few other reviews but it did work out in the end. Important to remember that so long as you stick to the correct route, the narrative will restart at the relevant geo points. Worth the price to avoid going around in circles as we are prone to do!! 😄
Review provided by Tripadvisor
291lindat
Sep 27, 2023
Easy way to tour ! - Enjoyed this way of touring. Easy to follow. I don’t think I would have walked the beautiful back streets around the port. Some repeating , but I’m sure it had to do with me stopping and waiting. Not sure if flipping back and forth taking pictures had something to do with it too. Overall a nice experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sightsee31433576288
Aug 5, 2023
Very interesting - I learned things on this tour that were very interesting. I wasn’t able to finish it because I got lost several times. It’s worth the money
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pamela_i
Jun 25, 2024
No contact number or response - We were running late due to a taxi caught in traffic. There was no way to call the operator of the tour to find out where to catch up. I messaged them on the Viator site and no answer. We lost out on the tour and Viator refused to refund the $. I have booked many Viator tours and not having a phone number available or the attempt of the operator to call us or respond is unacceptable.
Review provided by Viator
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