Chania is the most architecturally striking city in Crete - a Venetian harbour ringed by painted warehouses and a lighthouse at its mouth, an Ottoman mosque converted into an art space, and a medieval lighthouse that has stood since the 14th century. The city was the capital of Crete under Venetian and then Ottoman rule, and the layering of those centuries is visible in nearly every building in the old town. The choice of where to stay shapes how much of that atmosphere you absorb: the Old Town means walking out into the harbour at any hour; Splantzia means a quieter version of the same; the beach areas to the west mean trading character for proximity to sand.
Prices are approximate as of 2026 and vary significantly between May and August.
Chania Old Town and Venetian Harbour
The Old Town runs from the Venetian harbour (the Limani) back several hundred metres into a grid of lanes that contains the covered market, several Byzantine churches, the Etz Hayyim Synagogue, and most of the city’s best restaurants. The harbour itself is one of the most photographed spots in Greece - the Venetian lighthouse, the restored warehouses, and the curve of the breakwater create a scene that changes character from morning to evening. Accommodation here ranges from renovated Venetian mansions to small family-run rooms above restaurants.
Budget (€45–80/night): Smaller guesthouses and studios in the residential streets behind the harbour. Pension Theresa (Angelou 8, Old Town) has simply furnished rooms in a Venetian building from approximately €55/night in May. Manos Rooms (near Splantzia Gate) offers clean, basic accommodation from approximately €50/night. Villa Kleoni has well-reviewed budget rooms in the old town from approximately €65/night.
Mid-range (€110–220/night): The mid-range market in Chania’s Old Town is strong. Porto Veneziano Hotel (on the outer harbour) has sea-view rooms and a reliable restaurant from approximately €120/night in June. Casa Leone Boutique Hotel (Theotokopoulou 18) occupies a 16th-century Venetian mansion with stone arched ceilings and individually designed rooms from approximately €150/night in July. Amphora Hotel (Theotokopoulou 20) is a renovated Venetian building directly on the harbour from approximately €170/night.
Luxury (€250–600+/night): Casa Delfino (Theofanous 9) is the premier luxury address in the Old Town - a 17th-century Venetian palazzo converted into a boutique hotel with nine individually designed suites, a terrace overlooking the rooftops, and one of the best breakfast settings in Crete, from approximately €280/night in July. Thalassa Boutique Hotel (Theotokopoulou 38) has individually decorated suites in a renovated building from approximately €240/night.
Best for: First-time visitors, architecture enthusiasts, and those who want to spend evenings at harbour restaurants without planning transport. July and August are busiest - harbour-facing rooms can be noisy until 01:00.
Splantzia
Splantzia is the neighbourhood directly east of the Old Town proper - a quieter, more residential quarter with its own small square (Platia 1821), a few good cafes, the Church of Agios Nikolaos (a former Ottoman mosque), and streets that see fewer tour groups than the harbour area. It is a 5-minute walk to the Venetian harbour and a practical alternative for those who want Old Town proximity without the peak-season noise.
Budget (€45–75/night): Studios and small guesthouses throughout the neighbourhood. Ifigenia Studios has clean self-catering rooms from approximately €55/night. Several converted houses offer simple rooms at competitive prices in shoulder season.
Mid-range (€100–190/night): Splantzia itself has fewer dedicated hotels than the harbour area, but several small boutique properties have opened in recent years. Lena Hotel (Rithymnou 5) is a characterful small hotel with good reviews for its location and service, from approximately €110/night in June. Various renovated apartments rented nightly in the area offer mid-range comfort with kitchen access.
Luxury (€200–400/night): A small number of restored mansions in Splantzia have been converted into boutique luxury stays. Nostos Boutique Hotel (Zampeliou 42–46) has well-appointed rooms with stone walls from approximately €200/night in peak season.
Best for: Couples, return visitors who want to avoid the harbour crowds, and those who prefer their mornings quiet. The neighbourhood has its own decent restaurant and cafe scene without being overwhelmed by tourism.
Halepa
Halepa is Chania’s neoclassical district, approximately 2km east of the Old Town along the seafront. This was where foreign consulates and wealthy Cretan families built their mansions during the late 19th century - the Greek statesman Eleftherios Venizelos was born here and his family home is now a museum. The area is calmer than the Old Town, has some good restaurants, and offers a different perspective on Chania’s history. Access to the Old Town is easy by taxi (approximately €7) or a 25-minute walk along the seafront.
Budget (€40–70/night): Simple apartments and studios in the residential streets, from approximately €45/night. Less concentrated hotel infrastructure than the centre.
Mid-range (€90–170/night): A few small boutique hotels have converted the neoclassical mansions here. Villa Ariadni has well-kept rooms in a quiet garden setting from approximately €100/night. Ammos Hotel (on the beach in the Nea Hora area between Old Town and Halepa) is one of Chania’s most stylish mid-range options, with a striking minimalist design and beach access, from approximately €140/night in June.
Luxury (€200–500/night): Ikaros Villa (Halepa area) offers a private villa rental with pool from approximately €400–600/week. Several larger restored mansions in Halepa operate as high-end accommodation.
Best for: Those wanting a quieter residential atmosphere, longer-stay visitors, and anyone interested in the Venizelos period of Cretan history. Less convenient for evening dining in the Old Town without transport.
Western Beach Areas (Platanias and Agia Marina)
Platanias (11km west) and Agia Marina (8km west) are the main beach resort areas within reach of Chania. Both have long sandy beaches, a concentration of all-inclusive and package-holiday hotels, and a less atmospheric but beach-focused experience. For families with young children or those whose primary goal is beach time, these areas make more sense than the Old Town.
Budget (€40–80/night): Numerous studios and small hotels at every price point. Creta Star Hotel in Rottili near Platanias has comfortable rooms from approximately €65/night in June. Simple self-catering studios from approximately €40/night throughout the area.
Mid-range (€90–200/night): Christina Beach Hotel (Platanias) has sea-facing rooms with direct beach access from approximately €110/night in July. Blue Mare Hotel (Agia Marina) has a pool and good sea views from approximately €100/night.
Luxury (€250–600+/night): Caramel Boutique Resort (Platanias area) is a boutique property with an infinity pool and excellent sea views from approximately €280/night. Grecotel Creta Palace and similar resorts in the area offer all-inclusive luxury from approximately €300/night in August.
Best for: Families, beach-first travellers, and those who prefer resort infrastructure over Old Town atmosphere. Budget travellers find significantly cheaper options here than in the Old Town during July and August.
Getting around
The KTEL Hania bus covers routes to all main beach areas (€1.80–3.50 per journey as of 2026). Taxis are readily available in the centre - Old Town to Platanias costs approximately €15. A rental car is the most useful tool for exploring western Crete, including the Samaria Gorge, Falassarna beach, Balos lagoon, and Elafonisi. Cars can be collected at the airport or at several city-centre rental offices.
Sort out travel insurance for Greece before you depart and grab a Greece eSIM to stay connected. Browse day trips and tours from Chania - the Samaria Gorge walk and Balos boat trip are the two non-negotiables.
Related Chania guides
- Chania City Guide - full overview
- Things to Do in Chania - harbour, gorge walks, and beaches
- Best Restaurants in Chania - Old Town tavernas to harbourfront dining
- Day Trips from Chania - Samaria Gorge, Balos, and Elafonisi
- Where to Stay in Crete - comparing Chania, Heraklion, and the resort areas