The Well of the Turk – hard to find but worth it for a creative blend of north African, middle eastern and Greek food, set in an old Turkish house with – yes, a well. Take Karaoli Dimitriou at the bottom of Halidon, it becomes Sifaka (there are shops selling knives on your right) look down the alleys here for signs to the Deaf and Dumb Association of Chania. You will stumble across the restaurant – if unsure keep asking! Closed Tuesday (Winter: closed Monday and Tuesday). Tel: 28210-54547. To Avgo tou Kokkora – next to Vranas studios, behind the big church, Mitropoli, off Halidon. Looks at first like a cafe – it’s more, an ideal haven of fresh, creatively prepared salads, pasta, sandwiches and more – crisp, delightful food and pleasing atmosphere. Tel: 28210-55776. Antigoni – corner of Akti Enoseos and Defkalionos (a short way past the Porto Veneziano Hotel). Re-decorated, much care taken here – local dishes and there is always fish. Tourists do visit this small restaurant but it is a popular local venue; the many times we’ve eaten there it’s been a treat. Telephone: 28210-45236. Karnagio – half way between the bottom of Halidon Street and… Continue Reading Where to eat & drink

Explore the waterfront and streets just behind. Walk along the harbour wall to the Venetian Lighthouse. Visit the wonderful Naval Museum (Maritime Museum) – it delivers a superb introduction to the History of Crete and is by no means only for maritime mavens, you will learn more here in half an hour than most could teach you, about the events that filled Crete’s moving past. Excellent, well done. Open: 10.00 to 14.00 daily, except Monday. Tel: 28210-91875. Admission: 2.50 euros. The Archaeological Museum on Halidon Street is smaller than its grand Heraklion cousin, though well worth visiting and appealing even to non archaeologists. Open: 8.00 to 17.00 (to 19.30 April-October) daily, except Monday. Tel: 28210-90334. Admission: 1.5 euros Historical Archives (museum): Open 9.00 to 13.00, Monday to Friday. Tel: 28210-52606. Admission: Free. Byzantine Museum. Open: 8.30 to 14.00 daily, except Monday. Tel: 28210-96046. Near the waterfront (at the back of the Naval museum). Outside Chania: trips to the many surrounding monasteries, the Samaria Gorge (take a bus to Omalos or a tour as you will walk the Gorge, take a ferry from the end at Agia Roumeli to Sfakia and then a bus back to Chania). Visit Venizelos Graves, which… Continue Reading What to see & do

Always the first thing you hear about Chania – theVenetian Harbour, the old port, the narrow shopping streets and waterfront restaurants. Chania is also one of the two places you are most likely to see on arriving in Crete. It is beautiful – that is to say much of the Chania you will want to see is clustered close to the harbour – old buildings, museums, churches and crafts shops (some with genuinely interesting and sometimes local, products on offer). Food is offered in great variety and sometimes great similarity – there are many restaurants and also cafes, at which to reflect upon the experiences of places you have just explored together with the enjoyment of sometasty food – we have suggestions for restaurants further on. The atmosphere has a touch of Florence and Venice (a few years ago when those cities still had some room to walk), combined with the culture and character of Cretan people and traditions. The Chania harbour is wonderful and at any particular time of day the light produces a different result, creating a “different place”. This is the best chance to see some of the old buildings – of Venetian and Turkish design, that… Continue Reading About Chania City