Chania Food Stories Half-Day Tour inc. tastings & drinks, Crete

About this activity

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.

Half-day Tours Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Walking Tours Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Small Group Excellent Quality

At a glance

Duration: 4 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 6 people
People per booking: 1–15
Guide: English
Operated by: Grecian Lux

Ages: Infants (0–5 years) · Children (6–11 years) · Adults (12–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Get personalized tips for the area's best bars and eateries.
Included: Sample local products such as olives, honey, olive oil while visiting family owned shops.
Included: Experience the city with our passionate, English-speaking local guide.
Included: Taste local “mezedes” (local Tapas) and sip raki in a historic neighborhood.
Included: Taste traditional Greek coffee with local sweets.
Included: PRIVATE TOUR Exclusive: enjoy the comfort of pick-up and drop-off at your stay.

Not included

Not included: Additional food and drink.
Not included: Tips & gratuities for your guide.
Not included: Small group tour option excluded hotel pick up.

Itinerary

Municipal Market of Chania

30 min

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.
Chania Town

1 h 55 min

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.
Old Venetian Harbor

one hour

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.
Stop 4

30 min

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!

Meeting point and pickup

You can be picked up from your accommodation or go straight to the meeting point.

Meeting point

Your guide will be waiting in front of the “Kydon, The Heart City Hotel” at the entrance.

Please make sure that you are in front of the Kydon Hotel!

Your guide will be holding a Crete Local Adventures sign.

End point

Your guide will be waiting in front of the “Kydon, The Heart City Hotel” at the entrance.

Please make sure that you are in front of the Kydon Hotel!

Your guide will be holding a Crete Local Adventures sign.

Pickup points

Panorama
The Chania Hotel
Giorgi's Blue Apartments
Stellina Village
Hotel Aegli
Lagon Life Spirit Boutique Hotel - Adults Only
La Maison Ottomane
Samaria Hotel
Nearchou Boutique Hotel
Elia Panorama
Triton Apartments
Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete

and 167 more pickup points

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.

Using your ticket

Guests’ pickup is offered for the private group option. Pick up time adjustable upon your request. We will meet you at your hotel lobby or the cruise port. Our guide will be holding a sign with your name. Call +306980679166 if you have any trouble locating your guide.

HOW DID WE DO? Let us know what you loved (or what we can do better) by leaving a review after your tour. As a local small business, it will mean the world to us. Thank you.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

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.

Options

Small-Group Tour
Private Tour, Pick up/Drop Off

Hotel Pick Up: Hotel Pick up/drop off from Souda Port and Chania city hotels is offered only for the private tour.

Private