Khania

Khania

Greece

Wander through pastel-colored Venetian buildings and dine on fresh seafood overlooking the iconic lighthouse at this romantic Mediterranean harbor.

Currency Euro (EUR)
Language Greek
Time Zone EET (UTC+2)
Best Time to Visit Apr–Oct
Typical Duration 7-14 nights
Price Range From $1,051 pp
Port Type Port of Call
Tender Port Yes

Gateway to Crete's Venetian old town, stunning beaches, and authentic Greek island culture in the Mediterranean.

Cruises that visit Khania

Build Your Day in Khania

Cruise calls are short. Set your ship's arrival time, pick the stops you care about, and we'll show whether they realistically fit before departure.

Ships typically depart around 5:00 PM
Usually about 9 hours ashore
Getting around:
Old Venetian Port of Chania Lively port city with historic monuments Historical landmark · ★ 4.8 · 42k
Old Chania Market Old venue with stalls for food & wares Market · ★ 4.3 · 14k Temporarily closed
Koukouvaya Dine-in·Curbside pickup Dessert · ★ 4.7 · 14k
Seitan Limania Scenic swimming beach in a rocky cove Public beach · ★ 4.7 · 11k
Canale Restaurant Chania Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 10k
PALLAS Chic eatery for diverse fare & cocktails Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 9k
Botanical Garden of Crete Hillside vista of fruit trees & herbs Botanical garden · ★ 4.8 · 9k Closed · Opens 9 AM Fri
Palazzo al Mare Restaurant Chania Dine-in·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 7k
Pork to Beef Wild Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Fast Food · ★ 4.8 · 6k
TAMAM RESTAURANT CHANIA Straightforward eatery for local cuisine Restaurant · ★ 4.5 · 6k
Iguana Beach Small public beach with a bar Public beach · ★ 4.4 · 6k Closed · Opens 9 AM Fri
To Maridaki Relaxed seafood eatery with a patio Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 4k
KAIKI Dine-in Seafood · ★ 4.7 · 4k
Salis Relaxed choice for Greek & Italian fare Eclectic · ★ 4.4 · 4k
Chania Municipal Garden Low-key park with mature trees & a cafe Community garden · ★ 4.5 · 4k
Lighthouse of Chania Rebuilt 16th-century Venetian lighthouse Tourist attraction · ★ 4.8 · 4k
Archaeological Museum of Chania Onsite services Archaeological museum · ★ 4.8 · 3k Closed · Opens 8 AM Fri
Yannis Beach Place Onsite services Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 3k Closed · Opens 8 AM Fri
Bohème Dine-in·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 3k
Catholicon of the Venetian Monastery of St. Francis Museum displaying regional artifacts Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Sinagogi coctail bar Onsite services Cocktail bar · ★ 4.6 · 2k
Nea Chora Beach Popular beach with lodging & dining Beach · ★ 4.2 · 2k
To Stachi slow food Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Vegetarian · ★ 4.7 · 2k
Fourogatos Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Greek · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Talos Restaurant Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Stis Annas - Restaurant in Chania Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Colombo Kitchen & Bar Relaxed spot for hearty local fare Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Aptera Beach Dine-in·No delivery Swimming facility · ★ 4.4 · 2k
Κάπαρη - Ελληνική Κουζίνα | Kapari - Greek Restaurant Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Kariatis Restaurant Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Italian · ★ 4.7 · 2k
Bakery Patisserie & Coffee Shop Ntourountous Chania 1866 Square Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Cafe · ★ 4.7 · 2k
Virgin of the Angels Monastery (Gouvernéto) Historic monastery with gardens & trails Monastery · ★ 4.5 · 2k Closed · Opens 5 AM Sat
Astrea Garden Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 2k
Ellotia Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 2k
emis.chania Dine-in·Drive-through·Delivery Coffee shop · ★ 4.9 · 2k
Theodosi restaurant Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 2k
Minoan's World 9D Cinema Virtual tour of an ancient civilization Museum · ★ 4.3 · 1k Closed · Opens 11 AM Fri
Koum Kapi Beach Beach · ★ 4.2 · 1k
Albi Restaurant Chania Dine-in·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 1k
AlmyVita Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Firka Venetian Fortress Storied fortress with a maritime museum Fortress · ★ 4.6 · 1k Closed · Opens 8 AM Fri
Oinoa Regional wines with a sea-view terrace Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 1k
Drops Premium Coffee, Brunch & More! Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Bistro · ★ 4.7 · 1k
OLEA Shopping Center Onsite services Shopping mall · ★ 3.7 · 1k Open · Closes 12 AM
Little monkey Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 1k
Bras de Frères No takeout·No delivery Karaoke bar · ★ 4.5 · 1k
ABABA Onsite services Espresso bar · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Es.co.bar Chania Dine-in·Curbside pickup Cafe · ★ 4.7 · 1k
PATSAS AGNOS - TRADITIONAL COOKING - MARMARITSAKIS STAMATΙS Delivery: 10:30 AM–6 PM Fri Greek · ★ 4.8 · 1k Closed · Opens 8 AM Fri
Monogram Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Coffee shop · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Ta Kalamakia Dine-in·Takeout·Delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 1k
MonEs Polished hotel in a 1500s mansion Restaurant · ★ 4.6 · 1k
Periplous Restaurant Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Oino Restaurant, Old Port Chania Dine-in·Takeout Greek · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Porta Sabbionara Old Venetian gate next to the sea Historical landmark · ★ 4.4 · 1k
Melodica cocktail-bar Dine-in·No takeout·No delivery Cocktail bar · ★ 4.9 · 1k
The Hill Dine-in·Takeout·No delivery Restaurant · ★ 4.7 · 1k
Lime Sips & Bites Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No delivery Cocktail bar · ★ 5 · 0k
Kouloura Chalepa Tourist attraction · ★ 4.6 · 0k
Βoulevard of broken dreams No takeout·No delivery Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Bershka In-store shopping·In-store pickup·Delivery Clothing store · ★ 4.1 · 0k Closes soon · 9 PM
Kastelli archaeological site Byzantine fortress with hilltop views Historical landmark · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Nea Chora Beach. Beach · ★ 4.3 · 0k
Sosorides Beach Tourist attraction · ★ 4.4 · 0k
360° Fine Dining Dine-in Fine Dining · ★ 4.9 · 0k
Momentum Chania Bar · ★ 5 · 0k
Blend coffeeshop Dine-in·Takeout·No-contact delivery Coffee shop · ★ 4.9 · 0k Closed · Opens 6 AM Fri
Chania Venetian Harbor Guardhouse Fortress · ★ 4.7 · 0k
Paralia Koum Κapi Small city beach for swimming & more Beach · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Kladissos beach Beach · ★ 3.9 · 0k
Sita Dine-in Restaurant · ★ 4.9 · 0k
RIVA SEASIDE DINING Dine-in·Takeout Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Opera Chania Dine-in·Takeout Bar · ★ 5 · 0k
Coffee Collectors Dine-in·Curbside pickup·No-contact delivery Cafe · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Coutellerie Restaurant Chania Dine-in Restaurant · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Da Vinci Bar Club Curbside pickup Bar · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Byzantine Walls Of Chania Historical landmark · ★ 4.5 · 0k
Anastasia Store In-store shopping·In-store pickup·Delivery Clothing store · ★ 4.9 · 0k Open · Closes 12:30 AM
Xamam Wear Delivery Clothing store · ★ 4.9 · 0k Open · Closes 11 PM
To Meli Delivery Store · ★ 4.8 · 0k Open · Closes 11 PM
KURKUTA In-store shopping·In-store pickup·Delivery Souvenir store · ★ 4.6 · 0k Open · Closes 10 PM
Pithia Games - Chania Tourist attraction · ★ 4.9 · 0k
LA STRADA 1 Shopping mall · ★ 4.9 · 0k Open · Closes 10:30 PM
Statue of Spyros Kayales Historical landmark · ★ 4.8 · 0k
Amazon Souvenirs Shop Chania In-store shopping Souvenir store · ★ 4 · 0k Open · Closes 10 PM
Βαπτιστικά Diamanti In-store shopping Shopping mall · ★ 4.5 · 0k Closes soon · 9 PM
Secret Paradise Chania Onsite services Store · ★ 4.4 · 0k Open · Closes 11 PM
Painted Wall of Minoan Theme Tourist attraction · ★ 3.9 · 0k
Beautiful natural pool next to chania old town Tourist attraction · ★ 4.5 · 0k
The C Bar Dine-in Bar · ★ 5 · 0k

Opening hours are indicative — always confirm before you go. Travel times are estimates from Google Maps.

Next Departures from Khania

About Khania

Khania has emerged as a vibrant Mediterranean port of call, welcoming passengers from eight major cruise lines including Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Seabourn. With over 100 upcoming cruises and peak seasons spanning spring through early fall, this charming Cretan port offers excellent accessibility for travelers exploring the Greek islands and beyond. Most cruises calling here are seven-night itineraries that also feature popular stops like Mykonos, Santorini, and Istanbul, making Khania an ideal waypoint on broader Mediterranean voyages.

When your ship arrives in this picturesque harbor, you'll find yourself steps away from one of Greece's most enchanting Old Towns, where Venetian architecture and winding cobblestone streets invite leisurely exploration. Whether you're seeking authentic local tavernas, waterfront promenades, or cultural immersion, Khania delivers the quintessential Greek island experience that makes Mediterranean cruising so memorable. The port's popularity among premium and mainstream cruise lines alike speaks to its appeal as both a destination and a convenient embarkation point for longer regional explorations.
Explore

Reasons to Visit

1

Venetian Harbor's Timeless Beauty

Stroll along Khania's iconic Venetian Harbor, where centuries-old architecture frames crystal-clear Mediterranean waters. The picturesque waterfront features the famous lighthouse, charming tavernas, and pastel-colored buildings that transport you straight to Venice. This UNESCO-protected old town is perfectly walkable from the cruise port and ideal for photography and leisurely exploration.

2

Fresh Cretan Cuisine & Wine

Savor authentic Cretan dishes at harborside tavernas, where local specialties like dakos, saganaki, and fresh seafood showcase generations of Mediterranean tradition. Pair your meal with regional Cretan wines produced from indigenous grape varieties. The old town's narrow streets hide family-run restaurants serving recipes passed down through centuries.

3

Samaria Gorge's Dramatic Landscapes

Experience one of Europe's most spectacular natural wonders with a guided hike through the stunning Samaria Gorge, featuring towering cliffs and pristine mountain scenery. Located just 50 kilometers from Khania, this UNESCO-protected site offers breathtaking views and an unforgettable outdoor adventure perfect for active cruise passengers seeking natural beauty.

4

Bustling Agora Market Experience

Immerse yourself in the vibrant covered market where local vendors sell fresh produce, aromatic spices, traditional cheeses, and handcrafted souvenirs. The sensory experience of wandering through narrow aisles filled with Cretan olive oil, honey, and local textiles captures authentic island life and offers perfect gifts to take aboard.

5

Ancient Minoan Civilization Discovery

Visit the nearby Archaeological Museum of Khania to explore treasures from the ancient Minoan civilization that flourished on Crete thousands of years ago. Alternatively, take a short excursion to the Minoan palace ruins at Knossos to walk among Bronze Age history and understand the sophisticated culture that shaped Mediterranean heritage.

Cruise Lines at Khania

Cruises Departing From Khania

Cruises Visiting Khania

Ship Schedule at Khania

Khania Location

Other Cruise Ports in Greece

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Chania, Greece?

The best times are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) with pleasant weather and lighter crowds.

What are the must-see sights in Chania's Old Town?

Visit the Venetian Harbour, the Old Town lanes, the Firkas Fortress, Agora market, and the Maritime Museum.

How can I travel to Chania from Athens?

Fly direct to Chania International Airport or take a ferry; flights are about 1 hour, ferries 6–9 hours.

Why should Chania be your base for exploring Crete?

It’s a convenient base for beaches, gorge hikes, and nearby historic towns.