Chania sightseeing tour

Explore Chania’s Highlights

The famous Red Sightseeing Bus is now in Chania, Crete’s most beautiful town! This convenient tour lets you visit the key landmarks easily and quickly. The ticket is valid for 24 hours, so you can hop on and off as you wish.

Starting Point: Akti Kanari

The journey begins at Akti Kanari. The bus passes in front of the two old chimneys of the Avea Oil Refinery. This building was one of the first industrial structures in Crete and is a rare example of architecture.

Visit Nea Hora: A Picturesque Harbor

Next, we stop at Nea Hora, a charming harbor. The name means “New Country.” It was given because thousands of refugees arrived here in the early 1920s after being forced to leave their homes in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

1886 Square and the Turkish Quarter

The bus continues to 1886 Square, where you’ll see the Town Hall and the Municipal Market. From here, we head to the Turkish Quarter of Spianzia. Walk along Hatzimichali Daliani Street and admire the Church of St. Nicolas with its tall minaret—a remnant from the Turkish occupation. Also, visit the Old Venetian Shipyards (Neoria), Arsenali, and the Lighthouse.

Sampionara Gate and the Old Town

We pass through Sampionara Gate, one of the four main entrances to Chania Old Town.

Halepa: Elegant Suburbs

Next, the bus takes you to the elegant district of Halepa. Here, you’ll see old mansions, the National Foundation of Research and Studies Eleftherios Venizelos, and the Catholic French School of Nuns. The homes of Prince George and Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent Greek Prime Minister, are also along the route. Don’t miss the Church of Saint Magdalene.

Akrotiri Peninsula and the Venizelos Graves

The bus ascends to the Akrotiri Peninsula, passing through a pine park to the Prophet Elias area. The bus will stop at the Graves of Venizelos, offering breathtaking views of Chania Town on one side and the White Mountains on the other.

Return to Chania: Souda Port and Municipal Gardens

On the return journey, the bus passes by Souda Port and Courthouse Square, where you can see the Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul in the background. Next, visit the Municipal Gardens, home to the famous Cretan kri-kri (wild goats), and the Clock Tower.

Final Stop: Venetian Walls and St. Salvadore Gate

As the tour ends, the bus drives past St. Salvadore Gate and the outer fortifications of the Venetian Walls before returning to Akti Kanari.

Enjoy this comprehensive, easy tour and explore the best of Chania at your own pace!