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Museum · Chania, Creta
Museu Arqueológico de Chania
The archaeological museum of western Crete, in a new building in the Halepa district, with finds from Kydonia, Minoan Chania, Aptera and other ancient towns in the region.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Museu Arqueológico de Chania
The Museu Arqueológico de Chania moved out of the old mosteiro de São Francisco on rua Chalidon to a new, spacious building in the Halepa district, east of the center, on rua Skra. The collection covers western Crete from the Neolithic to the Roman period, with emphasis on Kydonia, the Minoan and Greek city that once stood where Chania is today, excavated on the hill of Kastelli.
Among the pieces are a painted Minoan sarcophagus from the Armeni necropolis, seals and tablets with Minoan script, pottery from all periods, a bust of Emperor Hadrian and two Roman mosaics from Chania, showing Dionysus and Ariadne and Dionysus and a satyr. One room houses the collection donated by the Mitsotakis family, with jewelry, vessels and figurines from various periods.
The building has bright rooms and texts in Greek and English, with explanations about daily life in the ancient towns of the region, such as Aptera, Polyrrhenia and Falasarna, which can be visited in the surrounding area.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one to one and a half hours.
Best time
During the hottest hours of the day, as a break from walking tours of the old town. The museum is usually quiet. Check the weekly closing day before you go.
How to get there
It is located on rua Skra, in the Halepa district, about 2 km east of the Venetian port: roughly a 25-minute walk along the waterfront or a few minutes by taxi. City buses to Halepa depart from the center.
Tip
See first the hill of Kastelli in the old town, where the Kydonia excavations are open-air: the museum's pieces came from there. There is a combined ticket with other sites in the region, such as Aptera; check at the ticket office.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Museu Arqueológico de Chania
Is the Archaeological Museum of Chania still on Chalidon Street?
No. It is now in a new building in the Halepa neighbourhood, on Skra Street, about 2 km from the harbour. The old monastery of San Francisco on Chalidon Street no longer houses the museum.
What is Kydonia?
The ancient name of Chania: a Minoan and later Greek city excavated on the hill of Kastelli in the old town. Much of the museum’s collection comes from there.
How much time should I allow for the museum?
About an hour and a half. It is smaller than the Heraklion museum, but it has artefacts from the west of the island that aren’t seen elsewhere.