things to do
Crete’s Byzantine churches
form a remarkable tapestry of history and faith, dating from the early Christian and Byzantine centuries (6th–7th centuries) through the high and late Byzantine and Venetian periods (11th–17th centuries). Our favourites are listed below
- one of the oldest monasteries in Crete (foundation mid16th century), set on a remote hill on Akrotiri. Hike down to Katholiko, considered the most ancient monastery in Crete, dating to around the 6th–7th centuries, dedicated to Saint John the Hermit and now abandoned but remarkably atmospheric.
- 17thcentury VenetianByzantine monastery on the Akrotiri peninsula
- Large, fortress‑like seaside monastery at Kolymbari, important center of resistance during Venetian and Ottoman periods.
- 6th‑century early Christian–Byzantine church near the village of Episkopi is considered one of Crete’s most important and unusual monuments. Its name “Rotonda” comes from the rare circular central plan topped by a stepped dome with five concentric rings, a form unique on Crete and extremely rare in Byzantine architecture. Inside, the church preserves a mosaic floor.
Gouverneto Monastery
& Katholiko Monastery
Agia Triada
Tzagarolon Monastery
Gonia Odigitria
Monastery
The Rotonda, Church
of Archangel Michael
St nicholas
- 11thcentury Byzantine Church of St Nicholas in Crete is a small but historically significant rural chapel, celebrated for its early crossinsquare architecture and exceptionally preserved fresco decoration.
Agios Nikolaos
- 14th century Byzantine Church located in the heart of a tiny village, with remarkably well preserved frescos painted by the great 14th century hagiographers Ioannis Pagomenos. The village taverna makes for a great lunch spot.
In Chania’s old town, the most important Venetianera and Ottoman sites cluster around the harbour and the adjacent streets.
Old Venetian Harbor
& Lighthouse
- 14thcentury harbor built by the Venetians as Chania’s main commercial and military port, now the city’s signature postcard view.Highlights include the sea wall leading toward the lighthouse (originally Venetian, later rebuilt), colorful façades of former Venetian houses, and the layered mix of Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek architecture. Stop for a coffee or sunset drink at the4 Chania Sailing Club
Firkas Fortress
- Mid‑16th‑century Venetian fortress guarding the harbor entrance, later used by Ottomans and now housing part of the Maritime Museum of Crete.
Küçük Hasan
Pasha Mosque
- Oldest surviving Ottoman building in Crete, built in 1645 on the harbor front with distinctive low pink domes and arcades.
- Splantzia (Splanzia) was the main Ottoman residential quarter; its central square still shows the layered history of mosque and church. The church of Agios Nikolaos, originally a Venetian Dominican monastery, was converted into the sultan’s mosque and uniquely still combines a bell tower with an Ottoman minaret on the same building.
Splantzia Square & Agios Nikolaos Church with Minaret
Ancient Greece
Archaeological
Museum of Chania
– This recently-renovated museum is worth the visit, and we like stopping for a coffee and treat at the museum terrace, with stunning sea views. The Museum showcased finds from western Crete from the Neolithic to the Roman period, including pieces from ancient Kydonia (Chania), Aptera, Polyrinia, Kissamos, Elyros and more.
Ancient Aptera
- Major ancient citystate on a hill above Souda Bay, occupied from the Minoan and Geometric through Hellenistic and Roman periods, with spectacular sea and mountain views.
Off-the-beaten-path beach gems.
Stavros Beach
- Stavros is a sheltered, circular bay with shallow turquoise water backed by a dramatic rocky mountain, made famous as a filming location for “Zorba the Greek.”
Seitan Limania Beach
- Seitan Limania is a narrow, fjordlike cove on Akrotiri where bright turquoise water cuts between steep white cliffs, giving it a slightly hidden, adventurous feel. Reaching it involves a winding drive and a short but steep path down.
- Small, sheltered sandy beach on the Akrotiri peninsula, known for its calm, shallow turquoise water and relaxed atmosphere. It sits in a protected natural cove with fine white sand, usually gentle waves, basic facilities (sunbeds, umbrellas, snack bar/taverna).
Paralia Tersanas
