Crete is one of Greece‘s most popular islands and Chania is pure seduction. Titled Crete‘s most redolent city, Chania is a gorgeous patchwork quilt of Venetian quarter, narrow cobbled lanes, a breathtaking harbour, and stunning ruins. Evocative remains of Turkish and Venetian architecture make the old city a photographer‘s delight and the artfully decaying restored townhouses add brilliant pops of colour to the whole scene. Bright oranges, dusty rose pinks, tangerines, egg yolk yellows, saffrons, reds, blues, and emerald greens create a stunning old town tapestry and the sky is nearly always sapphire-coloured in Crete. Then there is the deep blue sea which docks multi-coloured boats on its gently heaving surface and on calm days, the pretty port is reflected on the water.

Chania spring days

I visited Crete in spring when the days were sunny, chilly, and cloudless. Orange and citrus trees were full of fruits and wildflowers carpeted the olive groves. The old city of Chania was minus the tourists, and brash commercialism and the snow-capped peaks of the White Mountains were visible over the rooftops. It was a beautiful time to be in Chania and I used to soak up the sun while enjoying the old town to myself. Often, my Chania days would start with a late breakfast and they used to continue into the early evening. A spot in the sun, some good Cretan food, a book, and one or two of the island’s stray cats for the company were all I needed to savour Chania, and time was my only luxury there. That remains the best way to savour any place in the world and Chania is a rainbow-coloured architectural splendour.

Chania photo essay

So, come with me, as I take you on a photo trip to the gorgeous old town of Chania; enjoy its vintage tastefully decaying charm, splurge in its pop of colours, and soak in the centuries-old aura of the spiritual capital of Crete, the island of Zeus, Minotaur Bull, and soul-stealing sea nymphs.

An elderly Chania resident walking under a tangle of dry vines

Past rainbow coloured houses of the old town.

Chania waterfront and

Its old narrow lanes

Entice you to sit-down

And watch the Crete life

Pass by in candy coloured

Slow motion.

Chania allows

Its visitors to

Savour the timeless

Old-world charm,

Intriguing heritage and

Shadow play of the sun

To the fullest.

And then there

Is the Venetian port

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Deep blue sea

Golden sunshine and

Beautifully decaying

Jumble of colours.

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