Chania was built by the Venetians in the beginning of XIII century on the site of the ancient settlement of Cydonia. Evidence of that era is a quarter in the old town with notable Venetian buildings and fortifications in the area of ​​the port with its magnificent lighthouse, which today are concentrated administrative, cultural and tourist center. The city remained part of the fortifications - bastions, the moat, the remains of the defensive walls.

Archaeological museum of the city is located in the Venetian church of St. Francis. There are exhibits found on the western Crete and other areas of the island, related to historical periods from the Neolithic to the Roman period, inclusive of statues and figurines, weapons, ceramics, stone seals, coins, jewelry, and much more.

The city is the Historical Archive of Crete with a rich collection of material from the island's history, ethnographic exhibition - the second largest historical museum of the country.

Nautical Museum of Crete is located in the harbor. Its exhibits tell about the glorious history of the city.