Old Venetian Port of Chania

The Old Venetian Port of Chania is a harbor at the city's center where buildings from Venetian and Ottoman times line the waterfront. A 16th-century lighthouse built by the Venetians stands at the harbor's entrance and serves as the area's most recognizable landmark.

The port was built between 1320 and 1356 by the Venetians and became a major trading center around the Mediterranean. After Venetian rule ended, the Ottomans took control and left their own mark on the buildings and character of the place.

The Kioutsouk Hassan Mosque stands as a reminder of Ottoman rule and now serves as an exhibition space showing local stories. Visitors can see how different cultures that shaped this place coexist within a single building.

Visitors will find many restaurants, cafes, and shops selling local crafts and traditional island products around the harbor. The area is easy to walk through and best explored at a relaxed pace, especially during early morning or late afternoon hours.

The Grand Arsenal, a former Venetian shipyard, now houses the Center of Mediterranean Architecture and hosts cultural events throughout the year. This space shows how old working facilities were transformed into modern cultural venues while keeping their original structure intact.