Grave jars, subterranean vaulted graves carved in rock are discovered daily on the northeastern section of today's Chania. During the first centuries of the 1,1 millennium BC in the geometric and archaic years, architectural remains are not still located, but only abundant ceramics, something which indicates that the town continued its life even during that period. Part of frieze, which is in the museum of Chania depicts the facade of a temple with the statue of the Goddess in its interior surrounded by archers. The town's name was given by the Venetians. In 1252, under the Venetian occupation, the town began its fortification projects, which were finished in 1590. Chania was the first town in Crete that was occupied by the Turks, in 1654, until it was freed in 1898, when it also became the capital of the by then autonomous island.
Today, the city of Chania has two entrances: the airport of Akrotiri (14 km. from the town center) and the port of Souda that can be divided in two parts: the old town and the modern city which is the larger one. The old town is situated next to the old harbour and is the matrix around which the whole urban area was developed. It used to be surrounded by the old Venetian fortifications that started to be built in 1538; of them the eastern and western parts have survived. From the south, Chania old town is continuous with the new and from the north the physical border is the sea. The centre of the modern city is the area extending next to the old town and especially towards the south. Around Kasteli and the harbour, many buildings and even entire neighbourhoods from the Venetian and Turkish periods have been preserved in good condition. The new part has been built according to a modern plan with wide streets, parks and fine buildings. The public market holds a master place in the center of the city, a brilliant cross-shaped building that was completed in 1913, and in proportion with the one in Marseilles. Near the city center the Public Garden awaits the visitor next to the "Peace and Friendship of the people" park. The gardens are the prettiest in Crete and the public garden also offers a small zoo with animals from the Cretan fauna. The Venetian port picturesque any time and season because it is attractive to visitors and locals, for it's beauty, and for it's choices of entertainment and for all tastes and demands. The old city "intramural" districts preserve their Venetian nobility. Narrow paved alleys are surrounded with tasteful renewed houses, from various ages. Many neoclassic houses are also saved in districts which "neighbour" with the city of Chania, like Halepa. In the town of Chania are many hotels of all categories, a youth hostel as well as many restaurants and taverns in the center, particularly at the harbour where there is a good deal of evening activities in the summer. The closest beach is at Nea Chora (20 minutes on foot but there is also a bus from 1866 Square for Kalamaki or Galatas). Other beautiful beaches relatively close are on the road to Kissamos. Somebody can also visit the islands of Elafonissi and Gavdos, both of which are celebrated for their soft, white sand and turquoise waters. Outside the town the visitor can admire one of the most impressive sights in Chania, the world-famous Samaria Gorge, the longest and most impressive gorge in Europe. The history of the Samaria Gorge is extremely important to the Cretans, as it was a refuge of the rebels during the Turkish occupation. Next to the Samaria Gorge is the splendid Museum of Natural History, which is also worth visiting. Apart from the Samaria Gorge, visitors can also attempt crossing the shorter but equally beautiful gorges of Therissos, Imbros and Topolia. Kournas lake is another stunning natural spot in Chania, where visitors can admire a wide array of flora and fauna.
A drive through the traditional villages of Chania is also a must. The visitor can see the villages of Kissamos, Mournies, Palaiohora, Platanias, Kalyves (located about 20 km east of Chania, with the greenest countryside) and Almyrida, a small village with a pleasant shallow beach located in the bay of Souda. Further up the hill (and 10 minutes on foot from the beach), the village of Plaka is also popular because it is very quiet with superb views of the bay of Souda and the White Mountains.