Nearby walks

Exploring the Turkish quarter is an inevitable part of your itinerary. In the heart of the Old Town and busy all year round, Splantzia Square is the epicentre of social life. Filled with cafes and tavernas, with more authentic local flair, the square is always buzzing with music and friendly chats.

The main street that passes through the Turkish quarter, connecting it either with the Venetian Harbour towards the north or the modern city of Chania towards the south is Daskalogiannis St and it is the street where you need to find yourself in order to begin your tour. Start your walk from the junction of Nikiforou Foka St., Eleftheriou Venizelou St. and Daskalogianni St. heading towards the sea on Daskalogianni St. Turn east on Episkopou Nikiforou St and north again on Episkopou Kallistou. Around the corner on Iakovou Koumi St. you are amidst the narrow alleys of a once Christian community, neighbouring to the Turkish one. The Church of Agii Anargyri is the first Christian church you will come across. Up until 1859, this church was the Metropolitan Church of the city of Chania and the only one within the fortress, still used a Christian temple during the Turkish occupation. Continue north on Episkopou Kallistou and you will bump into another church, St. Catherine and St. John the Hermit. Based upon its distinct post-gothic architectural features, it is estimated that it was built at the 2nd half of the 16th century, during the Venetian era. The Turks converted it into a bakery and later on it was used as a mechanics workshop. Make a zig zag and Episkopou Kallistou St. will lead you to Splantzia Square.

After having passed through dark passages and narrow alleys, feeling the claustrophobic atmosphere back in those days, a big open public space reveals itself right before you. A beautiful, typical village square with St. Nickolas church and the hundreds of years old plane tree dominating its two sides. In between, one will find many coffee shops, bars and taverns with Cretan mezedes (small bites) to accompany the traditional tsikoudia. Visit St. Nicholas, the only standing church with a Minaret and as you exit, walk around it towards the northeastern side where you will find the remains of a Venetian aqueduct that operated right up to 1915. Today is hosts a seasonal tavern, open during the summer named Aqueduct. Make a full circle of Splantzia Square and turn south on Daskalogianni St. Turn west on the popular Hatzimihalis Daliani St. This street is part of the pedestrianized area of the Old Town and is packed with delicious restaurants and traditional taverns, making it quite busy during the summer nights. As you walk by, you will distinguish a vertical architectural structure piercing the sky. It is the Ahmet Aga Minaret. It is the second minaret of the Old Town, a surviving testimony of the Ottoman footprint in Chania’s Old Town. Your tour around the Turkish quarter has come to an end, however the charm of the Old Town will lure you in for some additional exploration.