Chania, located on the northwest coast of the island of Crete, is a popular tourist destination that offers visitors a great shopping experience. Whether you are looking for souvenirs, handmade crafts, or high-end fashion, Chania has something for everyone.
The city’s main shopping district is located in the heart of the old town, around the historic Venetian harbor. Here you can find a variety of shops and boutiques offering traditional Cretan products, as well as international brands. The narrow streets are lined with stores selling everything from handmade jewelry to leather goods, ceramics, and woven textiles.
Chania is a city that makes you hungry in all the best ways. Between the Old Venetian Harbor, the stone alleys of the Old Town, and the sea-breeze neighborhoods nearby, the food scene is one of the strongest in Crete. You can spend one night eating slow-cooked lamb in a rustic courtyard and the next sipping wine by the water while the lighthouse glows in the distance. This guide focuses on the best restaurants in Chania Town itself—no tourist traps, no fake menus, just real places worth booking.
Chania Old Town is one of the most charming places in Crete. With its narrow Venetian streets, colourful buildings, and harbour views, it is also home to some of the best restaurants in Chania. From traditional Cretan tavernas to modern Greek cuisine, the Old Town offers food for every taste and budget.
Below is a hand-picked list of the top places to eat, each one known for great food, local ingredients, and an authentic atmosphere.
Chania is the kind of place where dinner never feels ordinary. The pastel harbor, the slow-moving water, and that soft blue horizon all set the scene before the first plate even arrives. Whether you’re after a lingering, romantic meal beside the waves or a lively harbor table with boats drifting past, the best Chania restaurants with a view blend scenery, flavor, and atmosphere in a way that feels naturally and unmistakably Greek.Chania is one of those places where a meal is never just a meal. The city’s waterfront settings, pastel harbor, and calm blue horizon turn dinner into an experience long before the food even arrives. Whether you want a slow, romantic meal beside the waves or a lively harbor table with boats drifting past, the best Chania restaurants with a view combine scenery, flavor, and atmosphere in a way that feels unmistakably Greek.
This guide focuses strictly on restaurants — not bars, cafés, or brunch places. Every spot listed offers full dining service, proper seating, and a genuine sea, harbor, or rocky-coast view within Chania Town.
Finding cheap accommodation in Chania is easier than most travelers expect, especially if you know which areas offer the best balance of price, location, and comfort. Chania Town has plenty of budget-friendly hotels, guesthouses, and hostels within walking distance of the harbor, the beach, and the bus station, so you don’t need to stay far out of the city to save money.
What “cheap accommodation in Chania” really costs
Hostels & dorms: ~€18–€35 per person (high season); less in spring/autumn.
Simple guesthouses / 2★ hotels: ~€45–€80 per room.
Good-value 3★ city hotels: ~€75–€120 depending on date, view, and refurb level.
Prices swing with season (late July–August highest). Visit in late May, June, or mid-September for noticeably better deals and easier availability.
Best budget areas inside Chania Town
1) Nea Chora (beach + value)
A flat, sandy beach 10–15 minutes’ walk from the Old Town, lined with relaxed tavernas and several low-key hotels. Great for swimmers and families who want the sea without taxi rides.
2) Koum Kapi (breezy promenade, local vibe)
East of the Old Town, this waterfront strip feels younger and less touristy than the harbor. Prices are gentler, and you’re still close to everything on foot.
3) Old Town backstreets & Splantzia (character + convenience)
Behind the harbor’s postcard façades, narrow lanes hide small guesthouses at friendly prices. You’re paying for location and charm rather than amenities.
4) City-center blocks near the Market/1866 Square (practical & cheap)
Very handy for buses, supermarkets, and everyday cafés. It’s not as “romantic” as the harbor, but room rates are often kinder—perfect if you’ll be out exploring all day.
A short taxi or bus east brings calmer neighborhoods and a dramatic rocky shore. It’s not the cheapest area per se, but you can sometimes score value-for-money stays outside the main tourist lanes.
Real budget stays to book (Chania Town)
Below are real options for cheap accommodation in Chania that still offer walkable locations, decent rooms, and no hidden fees.
Nea Chora: sleep by the sand (and save)
Danaos Hotel (Nea Chora beachfront) — Classic budget favorite right on the beach; easy walk to the Old Town. Simple rooms, sea-view options, and friendly pricing for the location. Great for swimmers who don’t need a pool because the sea is literally outside. danaoshotel.gr+2Booking.com+2
Irene Hotel (near Nea Chora / short stroll to Old Town) — No-frills 2★ with 21 rooms and a straightforward setup. Good pick when you want a private room, A/C and a short walk to the beach and Market without paying harbor rates. irene-chania.cretetophotels.com+1
Koum Kapi & nearby: local vibe, lower prices
Kumba Hostel (dorms + a few privates) — A design-leaning hostel brand with Koum Kapi/center locations. Expect social common areas, a garden/bar vibe, and easy bus access; a budget win if you’re happy with dorms or a simple private. Kumba Chania+2Booking.com+2
Diana Rooms (guesthouse near Old Town & bus) — Family-run, simple, and well-placed for both Koum Kapi and the Old Town. Rooms are basic but bright; there’s a little courtyard to decompress. Handy if you’ll take buses for day trips. Booking.com+2Booking.com+2
Old Town & harbor backstreets: character without the markup
Loukia / Lucia Hotel (harbor-view budget classic) — Rooms overlooking the Old Port and, in some cases, the lighthouse; interiors are simple, but the location is golden. A smart way to get “that view” without 5★ prices. Tripadvisor+3Booking.com+3luciachania.gr+3
El Greco Hotel (Old Town, near harbor & Nea Chora) — An Old Town base steps from the harbor and about 500 m from Nea Chora beach. Expect compact rooms, friendly staff, and a location that makes walking everywhere easy. El Greco Hotel – Chania Crete Greece+1
City-center value near the Market/1866 Square
Arkadi Hotel (3★ central, renovated) — Reliable, clean, and 200 m from the Old Town walls. A sweet spot if you want good sleep quality, balconies, and easy access to buses without paying harbor premiums. arkadi-hotel.gr+1
Kriti Hotel (city center by the harbor edge) — Sometimes prices drop into “value” territory out of peak. Recently renovated rooms, pool, and very walkable location between the harbor and shopping streets. Watch for deals. Kriti Hotel+1
Good-value just outside the core (walk/bus in)
Alexis Hotel (quiet hillside with sea views) — Family-run hotel above town with balconies, views, and often keen pricing; walk or short bus to town/beaches. On-site restaurant is a plus; value improves if you don’t mind the hill. hotelalexis.gr+2Booking.com+2
Cocoon City Hostel (central hostel option) — Clean, modern hostel setup close to museums and the market; easy for solo travelers and digital nomads who want to keep costs very low while staying central. Cocoon Hostel+1
Neighborhood matchmaker: where budget travelers should stay
You want the beach at your door:Nea Chora (look at Danaos; it’s beachfront and walkable to Old Town). danaoshotel.gr
You want a breezy seafront but fewer tourists:Koum Kapi (try Kumba Hostel or inexpensive guesthouses like Diana). Kumba Chania+1
You want a postcard vibe on a budget:Old Town backstreets/harbor edge (Loukia/Lucia, El Greco). Booking.com+1
You want practicality over romance:Center by the Market (Arkadi, Kriti—often solid value outside August). Booking.com+1
You want the best room price and don’t mind a little walk:Alexis Hotel on the hillside, with views and frequent deals. hotelalexis.gr
How to keep costs down (without sacrificing location)
Travel shoulder season. Late May, June, and mid-September can be 20–30% cheaper than late July–August.
Book longer than 3 nights. Many small hotels offer better rates for 4- to 7-night stays—sometimes with freebies (airport transfer promos pop up). hotelalexis.gr+1
Be flexible about the view. Harbor- or sea-view rooms cost more. A street-view room in the same building can be €15–€40 less per night.
Use the bus station. If you want to day-trip to Balos/Elafonissi, being near the KTEL bus saves taxi money. (Diana Rooms sits close to bus links.) trivago
Choose breakfast smartly. Many budget stays don’t include breakfast; grab bougatsa or a bakery coffee for a few euros instead.
Pack light. Old Town lanes have steps and cobbles; smaller bags make cheap, walk-in stays much easier.
Confirm A/C and Wi-Fi. Most places include both, but in older buildings, double-check—especially in July–August heat.
Center: Arkadi mid-week deal; quick access to buses and harbor. Booking.com
€ (ultra budget, hostels):
Cocoon City Hostel or Kumba Hostel (dorm bed or simple private). Spend savings on food and boat trips. Cocoon Hostel+1
Value with a view:
Loukia/Lucia harbor-view room in shoulder season; splurge one night for the lighthouse glow. Booking.com+1
Quiet & scenic, still good value:
Alexis Hotel hillside sea-view balcony; bus or walk into town, return for sunset on your terrace. hotelalexis.gr
FAQ: Cheap stays in Chania (Town)
Is the Old Town too expensive for budget travelers? Not necessarily. If you skip the view and pick the backstreets, you’ll find simple guesthouses at fair prices (e.g., El Greco; Loukia/Lucia off-view rooms). Booking.com+1
Where can I stay cheap and still swim every day? Nea Chora is your best bet: sandy beach + budget hotels like Danaos and a quick walk to the harbor. danaoshotel.gr
I’m backpacking—hostel or cheap hotel? If you’re solo and social, Cocoon City and Kumba are great. Couples often prefer a 2★ guesthouse like Diana or a simple room at Irene. Cocoon Hostel+2Hostelworld+2
Any good “value” 3★ hotels near everything? Arkadi and Kriti often hit a nice quality/price balance outside peak weeks. Booking.com+1
Is staying just outside the center worth it to save money? Yes—Alexis Hotel can be very affordable with sea views; just factor in the walk or quick bus/taxi. hotelalexis.gr
Final tips for booking cheap accommodation in Chania
Check multiple dates before you lock in; shifting by a day can shave €10–€30 per night.
Message the property if you’ll arrive late; small hotels often wait up if you ask.
Confirm bedding & room type (some doubles are two twins joined).
Ask about balconies. Even budget rooms sometimes have them—huge value for morning coffee and night air.
Cheapest privates near buses:Diana Rooms. Booking.com
Backpacker social:Kumba Hostel / Cocoon City Hostel. Hostelworld+1
Old Town vibe for less:El Greco, Loukia/Lucia (non-view rooms are cheaper). Booking.com+1
Solid central hotel deal:Arkadi; watch Kriti for promos. Booking.com+1
Best “quiet + view” value:Alexis Hotel on the hill. hotelalexis.gr
With the right area and a little timing flexibility, cheap accommodation in Chania is absolutely possible, even in summer — you just have to book early and skip the paid-for-the-view rooms.
