Chania Food Stories Half-Day Tour inc. tastings & drinks
Description
Experience the unique beauty and culture of Chania by joining this amazing small group walking tour through one of Greece’s most picture-pretty cities. Chania has everything: ancient ruins, centuries-old monuments, strong local traditions, and exquisite cuisine that you get to taste during the tour. Leave your guidebook aside and follow your local guide into traditional neighborhoods and lesser-known corners – each spot, every backstreet you’ll pass along has a story to tell! Wander through layers of history and cultural influences, listening to myths of the Old Town. Meet local artisans in their workshop and even try your own skills. Explore the town’s century-old market with the local Cretan products and groceries. Watch how phyllo is handmade by one of Greece’s last pastry masters. Stroll around the old Ottoman and Jewish Quarters and discover the “Street of the Knives” as well as other off-the-beaten-path corners. Taste local mezedes and sip raki at a historic neighborhood.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Follow this laid-back walking tour of Chania and find what makes Crete’s cultural capital so marvelous. Explore with us some of the Old Town’s best sights, and visit a mix of famous spots, historic haunts, and hidden gems while discovering the lesser-known Ottoman and Jewish quarters. Get ready to experience Chania with all your senses! We’ll begin your Chania tour at the Dimotiki Agora (Municipal Market), which denotes the boundary between the old and new town. Established in 1913, the year of Crete’s unification with Greece, the Agora hosts more than 70 family-owned businesses selling mostly local groceries and products. Sample local delicacies while exploring the market and find out why Crete is home to one of the healthiest diets in the world.
After fulfilling your taste buds, we’ll stroll around the old town district by passing through its maze of hidden back streets and narrow laneways, visiting Venetian and Ottoman monuments, and discovering doors to secret gardens! Hear stories, myths, and legends about kings, sailors, merchants, heroes, lovers, and artists. Figure out how this city has been a crossroad between the West and East for centuries! Next, you’ll have the unique chance to see local craftsmen producing their handmade products. Hear their stories — and possibly test your skills! Continuing your tour, meander through the old Jewish and Ottoman neighbourhoods and learn how multiculturalism has changed locals’ life through the centuries.
Finally, after walking along the historic harbour’s promenade, you’ll relax your muscles in a local-favourite spot where you’ll enjoy an enticing table with Cretan mezedes (local tapas). Our tour will come to an end either here where it’s the perfect place to continue your own exploration through the city, or we could take you back to the starting point. Before we part ways, don’t forget to ask your local guide for more hints and tips on how to get the best of your trip to amazing Chania.
Splantzia is one of the most unique neighborhoods in Chania city. It is located on the south of the eastern part of the Old Venetian Harbour. This beautiful neighborhood is one of the “hidden treasures” of Chania city, which is known only to the locals and the well-informed travelers. Here you will sample local tapas and wine!
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Guests’ pickup is offered for the private group option. Pick-up time is adjustable upon your request. We will meet you at your hotel lobby or port on your cruise ship. Our guide will be holding a sign with your name.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- How you help the local community by joining this tour: - On this tour, you meet a local greengrocer, cheesemonger, butcher, and fishmonger, and other family-owned businesses that sell their own Cretan-only products. - Visit one of the last remaining Chania workshops with traditional handmade Cretan knives and hear stories about this tradition by the knife maker. - During this tour, you sample locally-sourced food from Crete’s villages, farmers and stock-breeders.
- Food Allergies: Unless you suffer from multiple, combined food allergies, or unless you are a vegan, we will figure it out. Vegetarians are welcome on all tours.
- If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
Reviews(117)
I had such an incredible tour with George… He really is the best tour guide and was very knowledgeable. He made the tour memorable and I highly recommend it!
This excurision was booked by a company called Journee who my friend and myself booked our holiday through. George was fantastic! Very knowledgeable, made sure we were comfortable and answered any questions we had on the city and around the area. The food was great, I loved hearing about Cretan culture and how the food is made. Will definately be back with the family!
Our family recently took the Chania Food Stories tour led by Giannis and had the most wonderful time. Giannis has a deep knowledge of all the history and interwove with his own experiences as well as sharing Cretan and Greek culture knowledge. The best part was that he engaged our three children (ages 8 to 14) throughout the tour making it one of our favorite memories in Greece. Thank you, Giannis!!!!
Incredible experience! George took me to all the best places to get all of the best local snacks and foods. He is very friendly and easy to listen/ talk to, he's very knowledgeable and passionate about Crete. I loved the entire experience and it so worth doing! For sure I wouldn't have managed to find all these foods and drinks by myself. The time went by so quickly! I would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting. Go on an empty stomach, you will not go home hungry 🙂
My wife and I recently took this tour and it was amazing. Our guide (Ιωάννης Σταυρίδης) made this tour! We was professional and knowledgeable about the city and the food. Our guide knew we like soccer and surprised us by taking us to the soccer museum and introducing us to the owner.If you are in Crete, I would recommend this tour! My other recommendation would be not to eat before doing it!
We had a great experience with George! He was very friendly and kind, and shared all about Cretan food and culture. All the food that he exposed us to was delicious, and he knows lots of local shopkeepers. Recommended!!!
Such an amazing way to start our holiday in Crete. We experienced great food but also discovered fabulous places to shop highlighting local artisans. Ioannis is an amazing guide, so knowledgeable and shared the best places with us showcasing local food while sharing the history and culture behind the food that we ate. We would highly recommend this tour and especially Ioannis. We can’t wait to continue to explore this beautiful city and island.
Tour was excellent. Yiannis was incredibly knowledgeable about the rich history and culture of Crete, and he shared everything in a way that was easy to follow and genuinely engaging. The walking route included several local stops where we sampled small traditional Cretan foods, which added a great touch. He’s very down‑to‑earth and made the entire experience enjoyable. I would absolutely book this tour again.
Book this tour!! We were paired with George who was incredible! He shared so much information about Crete and the local cuisine. We revisited a few of the places and repeated some of the meals we tasted on this tour. I would book this tour again
Ioannis wonderfully guided us through a culinary delight. Awesome! Thanks to his open nature.
