Chania Must See – What to See & Do in Chania, Crete
Welcome to Chania Must See
Hi, I’m Angelos Katsikandarakis, a local from Chania who loves exploring and sharing hidden gems.
I created Chania Must See to help you discover the real Chania and the island of Crete through authentic experiences, either my own or those of trusted friends and fellow travellers.
Chania Must See isn’t just another list of tourist attractions. Here you’ll find genuine, reliable tips with both the highlights and the downsides, so you can choose what truly fits your style.
If you’re wondering what’s a must-see in Chania, you’re in the right place. Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been here before, this guide will take you beyond the obvious and closer to the local spirit.
Chania and Crete are so big and full of surprises that even most locals haven’t explored them all. Let’s start your journey together.
What’s new in Chania Must See
Crete: Where Every Moment Becomes a Memory
Crete offers more than a destination – it delivers a feeling, a story, and an experience we share through Chania Must See.
From the crystal-clear waters of the Cretan Sea to the wild beauty of the Libyan Sea, the island reveals itself in striking contrasts: dramatic mountains and secluded beaches, ancient olive groves and untamed gorges, peaceful plateaus and lively villages where time seems to stand still.
Crete stirs emotions. Its bold dialect, strong identity, and heartfelt hospitality leave a lasting impression on everyone who visits. Here, people live history, celebrate it, and pass it from generation to generation.
Through Chania Must See, we invite you to explore Western Crete—especially the Chania region—through genuine experiences, trusted stories, and a perspective that blends the well-known with the hidden.
Chania Prefecture: Where Nature and Culture Meet
Here, mountains meet the sea, traditions stay alive, and every village tells a story.
The Chania prefecture covers the entire western tip of Crete, spanning more than 2,300 square kilometres and housing over 140,000 residents. To the east, it borders the Rethymno region, while the Cretan and Libyan Seas embrace it to the north and south. The landscape offers a striking mix of rugged mountains, dramatic gorges, pristine coastlines, and picturesque traditional villages.
Seven municipalities shape the region, each showing its unique character – from remote mountain hamlets and peaceful coastal settlements to the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Chania.
Chania hosts some of Crete’s most iconic attractions: the 16th-century Venetian Lighthouse, the legendary Samaria Gorge – the longest in Europe – the magical pink sands of Elafonisi, the exotic Balos Lagoon, and the majestic White Mountains that dominate the horizon.
These world-famous landmarks draw thousands of visitors each year, yet countless hidden treasures still wait to be explored.
main photo by Francesco Ungaro
