Chania - A City Of Many Tales

LOCAL TIPS

It's always a good idea to enjoy and discover a destination following the insightful suggestions of the locals. And this is more than true for Chania.

Chania is a destination with myriads of options, attractions and things to do, that a lifetime is literally not enough to experience it all. So, you have to choose wisely among them. And most of the time it’s better to do the things that locals do, especially if authenticity and getting to know the local culture better, is your priority when traveling.

Another advantage of following the locals’ tips is that they have followed by people that more knowledgeable of the location than you. So, after visiting all the great monuments, attractions and must-see spots that all visitors in Chania should include in their itinerary, allow some extra time for a deeper understanding of Chania and its local culture, by also engaging in activities where the people around you will be mostly locals.

There is something very satisfying in experiencing a place like the locals do, in immersing yourself in the local culture and habits, instead of staying in the surface as – unfortunately – so many visitors do. Allow yourself to explore Chania through the eyes of the people in the know.

The local food, the local goods, and the local habits are generally rich and varied in most popular destinations. But especially in Chania and Crete, there are so many layers of experiences to unveil, beyond the great beaches and the world-known attractions; peel those layers and disclose a far better understanding of Chania. Even if you haven’t done it before, when in Chania, try to follow the recommendations of the locals. Most often than not, you will be very well compensated by the experience.

Eat a local-made bougatsa

If you don’t know it yet, bougatsa is the legendary Greek breakfast pastry, made from phyllo dough wrapped around a cream filling. It can be salty, with cheese filling, or sweet, with custard filling. Chania city is known for its sweet, creamy bougatsa, sprinkled with cinnamon, which you can taste in many places around town – just ask the locals to recommend their bougatsa hangout of choice. Chances are, after you try it, it will become your favorite breakfast. You can accompany bougatsa with milk or coffee for maximum fullfillment.

Have a coffee or dinner at Tabakaria

Tabakaria possibly is the most unique corner of Chania city. It is essentially the extension of the Koum Kapi neighborhood to the east, and it is where the ghost buildings of the old tanneries lie, most of them now being restored after many decades and now serving as boutique hotels, art studios etc. The great thing about Tabakaria is that it is located right next to the sea, on a beach surrounded by all the old abandoned tanneries. This is the perfect place to enjoy your coffee or dinner in the local taverns and high end restaurants, and share some magnificent Instagram moments at the same time. The best time to visit is a tad earlier than the sun is setting, so you may enjoy pink sunsets of Chania city and the Lighthouse from afar, from this advantageous spot.

Walk all the way up to the lighthouse

When you visit the Old Venetian Harbour of Chania city, you can’t help but be dazzled by all this beauty right in front of you. But the best place to look and admire the harbour in all its glory is from the Old Sea Wall on the opposite side, which leads to the emblematic Egyptian Lightouse. To get there, you walk all the way to the eastern edge of the harbour and you get on the elevated path of the Old Sea Wall. This is the place where you will most possibly take your best pictures of the Venetian Harbour. Following the Old Sea Wall towards the west, you finally reach the lighthouse, where it feels like hovering between land, sky and sea. Take your time on the lighthouse, as this may very well be the highlight of your visit to Chania city.

Leather goods at Stivanadika

“Stivanadika” is the Cretan word for the leather shoes workshops, coming from “stivania”, the tall, durable Cretan leather boots that were used for centuries in Crete. Today, all the Stivanadika of Chania city are gathered in the pedestrianized Sklidrof street in the center of the Old Town, and they are the ideal place to buy any kind of leather good, from a wallet to a bag, to bring back home with you. It is not hard to find Skridlof street: as you go up the main Halidon street from the center of the Old Venetian Harbour, you will find it on your left side a couple of streets after the Trimartiri Cathedral.

Never decline a tsikoudia treat

If it is your first time in Chania city, probably the most striking thing you will notice is the authentic friendliness of the locals. And the most common thing Cretans do to show that they consider you a friend, is to offer you a shot of tsikoudia, or raki. This is the locally produced spirit, made from the distillation of the freshest local fruits. In Crete they say to never decline a tsikoudia treat, so relax, have fun and drink with your new friends. Just remember to take it easy with tsikoudia, as it is high in alcohol, just like vodka.

Engage with the locals

Chania and Crete in general are among the top destinations in the world, where you can find a huge variety of different sights, attractions and thing to do. But one of the most unique things in Crete that many travel guides won’t tell you about, is the one-of-a-kind attitude of the locals. Crete, for many centuries, has been the crossroads of three continents, and the melting pot of some of the most known civilizations that appeared on planet earth. The distinct mentality and “practical philosophy” of the locals reflect all this centuries-old rich influences. Together with the authentic culture of Crete, which has in its core the respect for the fellow human and the hospitality and care for the guest, will make for some very interesting conversations. Most of the time you don’t have to do anything yourself: chances are the locals will want to help you find your way or get to know you better. Just go with the flow.

Make a “dakos” for light lunch

When in Crete do as the Cretans do. And possibly nothing is more Cretan than the well-known “dakos”, the light lunch that is simple, healthy, and filling at the same time. It’s easy to make your own dakos. First, as a base use a Cretan barley rusk. On top of it you put chopped tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese, or mizithra cheese. For extra flavor you put a herb like basil or oregano. And if you want to make it more filling, add some extra virgin olive oil and olives on top. That’s all. You made your own dakos? Now enjoy, and welcome to the Cretan cuisine!

LOCAL TIPS

Eat a local-made bougatsa

Have a coffee or dinner at Tabakaria

Walk all the way up to the lighthouse

Leather goods at Stivanadika

Never decline a tsikoudia treat

Engage with the locals

Make a “dakos” for light lunch

VIEW ALSO

Agritourism

Traditions

LOCAL TIPS

Eat a local-made bougatsa

Have a coffee or dinner at Tabakaria

Walk all the way up to the lighthouse

Leather goods at Stivanadika

Never decline a tsikoudia treat

Engage with the locals

Make a “dakos” for light lunch

VIEW ALSO

Agritourism

Traditions

Sign up for our newsletter