The city of Chania was built by the Venetians in the beginning of the XIII, on the site of ancient settlement of Kydonia. Evidence of that era is a whole block in the old town with remarkable Venetian buildings and walls in the port area with its magnificent lighthouse, which today are concentrated administrative, cultural and tourist centers. On the territory of the city remained part of the fortifications – ramparts, the moat, the remains of defensive walls.

The archaeological Museum is located in the Venetian Church of St. Francis. Here are the artifacts found in Western Crete and in other parts of the island, related to the historical periods from the Neolithic to the Roman period and including: statues and figurines, weapons, ceramics, stone seals, coins, jewelry and more.

The city is the Historical archives of Crete with the richest collection of material from the island's history, ethnographic exposition – the second largest historical Museum in the country.

Maritime Museum of Crete is located in the Harbor. Its exhibits tell about the glorious history of the city.