What to do · Chania
Chania Archaeological Museum, in Chalepa
Information
- From
- €15 per person
- Duration
- 1 h 30
- Season
- All year, from 8:30 to 15:30; closed on Tuesdays
- Who it's for
- From age 8
What it is and what you see
The Chania Archaeological Museum brings together what has been found across the whole regional unit of Chania and on the island of Gavdos: about 4,100 pieces ranging from the Palaeolithic to Roman times, up to the 4th century AD. Since 16 April 2022 it has occupied a new building in the Chalepa district, east of the old town, of glass, metal and ceramic, with an inner atrium that lets in natural light. It used to be in the Venetian church of St Francis, in the old town.
The exhibition is spread over two floors:
- Ground floor: three large halls that tell the story of western Crete by theme. Prehistoric settlements, historic cities, social and administrative organisation, religion, war, trade, daily life and the way of burying the dead.
- Upper floor: a good part of the collection of Konstantinos, Marika and Kyriakos Mitsotakis, mostly pieces of Cretan origin, from the 4th millennium BC to the 3rd century AD.
Upstairs is also the café, with a panoramic view, and on the ground floor the museum shop.
Opening hours and price
It opens from 8:30 to 15:30 every day except Tuesdays, when it is closed. The museum asks you to leave 20 minutes before closing, so go in at 14:30 at the latest if you want to see it calmly.
General admission costs €15 and reduced €8. It is bought at the ticket office or through the official state ticketing system, tickets.hh.gr. It is free for everyone on 6 March, 18 April, 18 May, the last weekend of September, 28 October and the first and third Sunday of each month from November to March. As in all state museums, EU citizens under 25 get in free with ID.
How to get there and park
It is at 15 Skra Street, in Chalepa. From the Venetian harbour it is a long walk east, or a few minutes by car or taxi. Unlike the centre, parking here is easy: the museum has a free 40-space car park in its courtyard, with two reserved for people with disabilities.
By city bus, the museum recommends line 11, stop 492 (Venizelos House), and lines 18 and 23 also leave you nearby. You have routes and timetables at chaniabus.gr.
How long
Allow an hour and a half to go round both floors without hurrying. With children or short of time, an hour for the ground floor is enough. It is a good plan for the hottest hours, when the beach and the harbour are scorching.
Accessibility, with children and rules
The museum is accessible: lifts to all floors, two free manual wheelchairs and tactile pieces with Braille labels. You can take photos without flash with an amateur camera.
With children from about eight years old it works well, because the halls are organised by easy-to-follow themes, such as war, trade or daily life, and not by dates.
Afterwards
In Chalepa, a step from the museum, is Venizelos House, that of the Cretan politician who gives his name to the bus stop. To go back to the centre, walk down to the sea and along the coast to the Venetian harbour. For lunch in the old town, Tamam serves Greek cooking with Ottoman influences in a former Venetian bathhouse.
Tips
- Don't go on a Tuesday It is the closing day; the rest of the week it opens from 8:30 to 15:30.
- Come by car It is one of the few places in Chania with free parking at the door.
- Finish at the café It is on the upper floor, with a panoramic view, and is a good place to rest.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Chania Archaeological Museum cost?
General admission costs €15 and reduced €8. There are free days, such as the first and third Sunday from November to March.
Which day does it close?
On Tuesdays. The rest of the days it opens from 8:30 to 15:30.
Where is it?
At 15 Skra Street, in the Chalepa district, east of the old town, with free parking in the courtyard.
As a familyWith teenagers
