Chania old town private tour with licenced guide (price for 8)

Overview

This is a private walking tour with a licenced guide for 6 guests.
Chania is a melting pot of civilizations and cultures, each invader leaving its mark on history, architecture and culture. It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe dating back to the Minoan civilization 3000BC.
Our licenced guides are locals, fluent in English, know this place intimately and love sharing the knowledge. We will walk around the picturesque alleys and explain the culture, history and traditions and how they formed the modern day city of Chania. Our guides can talk on any topic you might be interested, its a private tour so we are very flexible.
If you wish transfer from Souda/cruise ship port or hotel near Chania town, it can be arranged for an extra price, usually around 150 euro.

Itinerary

1. Chania Old Town

   Will tour Chania old town with a licenced guide for 3 hours, with a break in the middle. We will walk through and talk about history, culture, food or anything that interests you. Will visit so many landmarks these are the most important: Archaeological site at Kasteli hill, Cathedral of Chania, Splantzia square, Venetian shipyards, Venetian aristocratic buildings, coat of arms and Venetian landmarks, honey and other delicacies tasting, Firka fortress, view of landmark lighthouse and port, local knife maker, Byzantine 6th century walls, fountains, religious sites including a synagogue if interested, shopping areas.

   1 hour
2. Lighthouse of Chania

   Will walk and view the lighthouse opposite the port

   5 minutes

3. Splantzia square used to be the center of the Ottoman (muslim) area of Chania. There is an old plane tree where they hanged revolutionaries in the 19th century.

   5 minutes
4. Church of Agios Nikolaos

   Will see St Nicolas church, which changed 3 religions: Venetian Catholic, Ottoman mosque and then Greek Orthodox church. Outside the church there is a minaret next to a bell tower. A symbol of the different rulers and invaders of Crete that shaped the history of Chania

   10 minutes
5. Venetian Neoria

   Neoria used to be the Venetian shipyards which were infront of the old port. Cannot visit them inside but are an important landmark of Chania.

   5 minutes
6. Chania Old Town

   Will visit the Arsenal which is now a conference center.

   5 minutes
7. Chania Old Town

   Will visit the archaeological excavations of the Minoan town of Chania (dating from 3000BC) at Kastelli hill

   10 minutes
8. Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Collection of Chania

   Will walk by and admire the Byzantine wall of Chania, dating from the 6th century. Under its foundations lay the ancient city of Chania. For those who wish, depending on opening times can visit the Byzantine collection after the tour.

   5 minutes
9. Armenis

   Will visit a local knife maker that still makes knives the traditional way. His name is Armenis as they are 5th generation of Armenian refugees and knife makers.

   5 minutes
10. Chania Old Town

    Will visit the Grocery Store and have free tasting of premium olive oil, honey, pistachio and other delicacies.

    15 minutes
11. Chania Old Town

    Will pass through Renier gate, built by Venetians in the 14th century, as a commemoration to a Venetian aristocratic father and is the entrance of the aristocratic Venetian buildings.

    5 minutes
12. Giali Tzamisi

    Will pass by the first mosque of Chania, 'the mosque by the sea' as Giali Tzamisi is translated

    5 minutes

13. Will visit the cathedral of Chania, Trimartiri and explain its history

    10 minutes
14. Etz Hayyim Synagogue

    Will visit Etz Hayyim Synagogue in the old town, for those interested. Opening times vary depending on holidays and time of year.

    5 minutes · Admission not included
15. Firkas Fortress

    This is a small fortress with panoramic view of Chania. Its the home of the Naval museum that can visit after the tour. It has the best view of the lighthouse and old town.

    5 minutes

Meeting and pickup

We will meet at the beginning of Daskalogianni street, as you enter old town, on the left, infront of the entrance of 1st Gymnasium of Chania.

Good to know

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• In case of traveller's serious health problems or other medical concerns please notify us

Cancellation policy

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