What happens on the Chania treasure hunt
The Chania treasure hunt is a self-guided city game you play on your phone: you walk around the Venetian harbour and through the old town, solve a riddle at each landmark by looking closely at what is in front of you, and unlock the stories and legends behind it. It takes about 2 hours, with around 42 minutes of actual walking over 3.2 km and 10 stops, and you start whenever you like.
Highlights include the Sabbionara Bastion, the Küçük Hasan Mosque on the harbour front, the Firkas fortress, the Etz Hayyim Synagogue, the Trimartyri Cathedral and Agios Nikolaos with its bell tower and minaret. The old town is compact and largely pedestrian, so short walks take you from Venetian fortifications to Ottoman domes and Orthodox churches.
- Durationabout 2 hours
- Walkingabout 42 min · 3.2 km
- Stops10
- LanguagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Dutch, Greek
Venetian walls, Ottoman domes and a harbour full of clues
Ten stops, ten secrets
The 10 riddles are built around details you can see from the street: the slope of a bastion wall, a minaret beside a bell tower, the domes clustered on a harbour-front mosque. You work them out by observation and logic, so no background in Cretan history is needed.
Paratroopers, a bronze giant and a Minoan ship
Answers unlock Chania's stories: the German paratroopers who landed around the city in May 1941 at the start of the Battle of Crete, Talos, the bronze giant said to circle the island three times a day, and Minoa, a full-size Minoan ship that sailed from Chania to Piraeus in 2004. The audio narration can tell each story while you look around.
Through Splantzia to the waterfront
Google Maps guides you over 3.2 km, around 42 minutes on foot, from the eastern walls through the lanes of Splantzia and the old town to the Venetian harbour. Most of the old town is pedestrian, so your eyes can stay on the buildings rather than on traffic.
A long lunch by the harbour
Stopping for lunch by the water costs you nothing, because the game waits wherever you leave it. You can carry on the next day, or begin somewhere else, for example at the Firkas fortress, and let the app rearrange the order.
See the route and attractions →
How it works
- Book online Choose the number of players. Your booking reference arrives by email straight away.
- Get the app Download the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your booking reference.
- Play when you like Start whenever you are ready, walk at your own pace and pause any time. No guide, no fixed schedule.
Made for holidaymakers, families and friends in Chania
Holidaymakers based in western Crete
Staying outside the city? One visit to Chania is enough to follow its Venetian, Ottoman and Jewish past along a single route of about two hours. The riddles give each place a reason to stop instead of just strolling past the harbour.
Families who like myths
Talos the bronze giant, a ship rebuilt the Minoan way and a church with both a bell tower and a minaret give children plenty to talk about. With an adult in the team, the largely pedestrian lanes keep the walk relaxed.
Work trips and groups of friends
Five players fit in one team, each using their own phone, so a larger party forms a few teams and meets again at the harbour. Since every riddle sits in a public lane or square, the game needs no venue at all.
Good to know
- Bring a charged smartphone with mobile data; a power bank helps.
- No entry tickets needed: everything happens outside the buildings. Going inside is optional and paid separately.
- Family friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Not suitable for wheelchair users and difficult with strollers.
- Teams of up to 5 work best; bigger groups split into several teams, one ticket per player.
- Every purchase helps support stray cats and dogs in Greece.
The route: from the Air Force Memorial via Splantzia and Talos Square to the Venetian harbour
10 stops · about 42 min walking · start: Air Force Memorial · finish: Küçük Hasan Mosque
The hunt starts at the Air Force Memorial and heads to the Sabbionara Bastion at the north-eastern corner of the Venetian walls. You then walk into Splantzia for Agios Nikolaos, continue to the Old Archaeological Museum, the Trimartyri Cathedral and the Etz Hayyim Synagogue, and come out at Talos Square. From the Firkas fortress you follow the harbour to the Museum of Ancient Shipbuilding and finish at the Küçük Hasan Mosque. Whether you would rather start by the harbour or in Splantzia, the app adapts the starting point and the sequence for you, and since the riddles only use what the walls, churches and domes show from outside, the whole hunt is played without a single entry ticket.
Open the route map ↗
1Air Force MemorialStart
This memorial honours the airmen of the Greek Air Force who lost their lives in service. Chania has a special link to the history of air warfare: in May 1941 the Battle of Crete began here with one of the largest airborne invasions in history, as German paratroopers landed around the city.
Read the full story →
2Sabbionara Bastion
The Sabbionara Bastion guards the north-eastern corner of the walls the Venetians built around Chania in the 16th century to defend it against the Ottomans. Its name comes from the sandy beach that once lay in front of it, and its thick, sloping walls were designed to withstand cannon fire.
3Agios Nikolaos Church
Agios Nikolaos on Splantzia Square began as the church of a Dominican monastery under the Venetians, became a mosque under the Ottomans and has been an Orthodox church since the early 20th century. It is one of the few churches anywhere with both a bell tower and a minaret.
Read the full story →
4Old Archaeological Museum
The Venetian church of St Francis, once part of a Franciscan monastery, is one of the largest Venetian churches in Chania. The Ottomans turned it into a mosque, and an Ottoman fountain still stands in its garden. For decades it housed the city's archaeological collection, which has since moved to a new museum.
Read the full story →
5Trimartyri Cathedral
Chania's Orthodox cathedral, dedicated to the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, was built in the mid-19th century on a square in the old town. Locals call it Trimartyri, the church of the Three Martyrs, and its bell tower rises above the shops and lanes around it.
Read the full story →
6Etz Hayyim Synagogue
Etz Hayyim stands in the former Jewish quarter and was originally a Venetian church, converted into a synagogue in the Ottoman period. In 1944 the Nazis deported Chania's Jewish community, who died when the ship carrying them, the Tanais, sank. The restored synagogue reopened in 1999 as a place of prayer and remembrance.
Read the full story →
7Talos Square
This open square on the western edge of the old town, close to the sea, is a meeting place for locals and a venue for open-air events. It is named after Talos, the bronze giant of Greek mythology who was said to circle Crete three times a day, hurling rocks at approaching ships.
Read the full story →
8Firkas Fortress
The Venetians built the Firkas fortress to guard the entrance to the harbour, across the water from the lighthouse. On 1 December 1913 the Greek flag was raised here to mark the union of Crete with Greece, one of the most important moments in the island's history.
Read the full story →
9Museum of Ancient Shipbuilding
Housed in one of the vaulted Venetian shipyards, the Neoria, on the harbour, this museum belongs to the Maritime Museum of Crete. Its centrepiece is Minoa, a full-size reconstruction of a Minoan ship built with ancient techniques, which sailed from Chania to Piraeus in 2004. It shows how the Minoans crossed the Aegean thousands of years ago.
10Küçük Hasan MosqueFinish
Also known as the Mosque of the Janissaries, this domed building on the harbour front was built soon after the Ottomans captured Chania in 1645 and is considered one of the oldest Ottoman buildings on Crete. Its large central dome is surrounded by smaller domes, and today it is used for exhibitions.
Read the full story →
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
David André– Denmark –
Collected on GetYourGuide
A good way to experience the city of Chania in the beginning of a vacation so you get to know the city and see different attractions. The riddles were fine but not superb. Internet is important as offline download is not an option and Google Maps can be a great help for solving the puzzles. Overall satisfied and money well spent!
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Erg leuk! Zo zie je veel meer van de stad, zeker een aanrader.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Jennifer– Australia –
Collected on GetYourGuide
We had a really good time – solving puzzles & learning about Chania! I’d like to know how the results were scored.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Wunderschöne Stadt und wirklich spannende Schnitzeljagd
Abi– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
This was a super cute activity – we learned a lot about chania and saw some places we wouldn’t have gone to otherwise! The app was a LITTLE janky but super cute and I am pretty sure I’d do one again.
M.– Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Was totally worth it. We loved it and it was alot of fun seeing the whole city.
Mónika– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
App gives a great framework to Chania walkabout with lots of I teresting historical info, keeps you going while finding attractions and discover more so we extended it to a 5hrs walk with lots of breaks and photos were taken.
United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Thoroughly enjoyable. It took us a couple of days and some of the riddles were a bit confusing but we managed to solve most of them and we liked learning a little more of the history and stories behind each stop.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Hat Riesenspass gemacht 😊
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
très sympa et ludique pour visiter la ville avec des enfants
Philippines –
Collected on GetYourGuide
My Kids my wife and I found the activity fun!
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Ein gelungener nachmittag mit klein und groß, sehr zum empfehlen
Isabelle– Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
War super um die Stadt zu erkunden. Man hat viele schöne Sträßchen und Winkel entdeckt. Die Rätsel waren ok, aber nichts besonderes.
Frederique– Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuk om te doen en een aanrader. Het raadsel aan de synagoge was niet duidelijk om op te lossen. Laat je echt de stad ontdekken ipv te bezoeken.
Anastasia– Ukraine –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Excellent way to explore small streets of Venice Hawan
Spain –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Het was een leuke manier om een (klein) gedeelte van de stad te zien, waar je anders misschien niet was gekomen.
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Très sympathique pour visiter la ville et se laisser guider avec une animation pour les enfants et les parents simple et ludique
Andrew– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
we decided to do this on a whim, and enjoyed it way more than we thought we would. We did it as a couple, a great way to explore the area and if, like us, you enjoy things like escape rooms, you will enjoy the riddles and puzzles on the tour. we will definitely do it again in another city. I would recommend headphones and then you can listen to the text and as you walk from spot to spot.
United States –
Collected on GetYourGuide
The experience was ok, but frustrating at times with the puzzles. We visited the different sites but mostly just read the information about the place and moved on because we were spending too much time with the puzzles which didn’t really add to the experience. It wasn’t worth the 12€ we spent when we could have just looked up the information ourselves.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht die Stadt auf diese Art und Weise zu erkunden. Man sieht viele wunderschöne Spots auf die man sonst nie gekommen würde Nivea der Rätsel ist angemessen. Schade war nur, dass bei einem Rätsel die Kirche versperrt war
United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Great way to do a self guided tour of the old town
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
We had a really nice evening with an lovely group. The guide Socrates was awesome! We booked the trip for another day but he informed us in advance that it’ll be very windy and rescheduled us for the day after. First he explained us how to use the SUPs. We could sit or stand, however we wanted. Then we paddled to the little haven and tried to get a feeling to the board. We could actually stand, that was a good feeling because it was the first time for us. We also fell a few times but that didn’t matter, you can get easily back on the board. Then we paddled to the Island Lazaretta and snorkeled quite a time before the sun sets. After that we climbed on the rocks of that said island and Socrates told us many facts. That was very interesting. He made pictures of us in front of the sunset. At last we paddled back to the beach where we started and he made videos of us paddling in front of the sunset. We got the pictures and videos the same evening. We had a blast. Thank you Socrates!
United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
the church plaque was too faded to read. we could not find a close up view in Google to use. we tried for ages but couldn’t work it out so ended up having to skip that one.
Finland –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Fun way to explore city for first time.
Christian– Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Sehr schön, man sieht einiges von der Stadt
United States –
Collected on GetYourGuide
i was able to walk at my own pace to discover the city of Chsnia.
Czech Republic –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Fun way to explore the city and all it’s gems in a short time.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Das hat uns sehr gut gefallen Wir sind an Orte gekommen die wir vermutlich so nicht gesehen hätten Chania auf eine ganz andere Art Daumen hoch
sandrine– France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Une excellente manière de visiter la ville d’une façon ludique et de se rendre dans des lieux très typiques que nous n’aurions jamais visité. Un conseil, prenez votre temps!
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke tour door Chania, wat ik wel vreemd vond is dat er vanf €6,50 staat vermeld en dat je dan vervolgens €13,- moet betalen, nergens is die €6,50 terug te vinden.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke opdrachten, maar vooral erg leuk omdat je op plekken komt waar je anders niet was geweest!
Greece –
Collected on GetYourGuide
SUPER!!!
Greece –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Everything is perfect!!!!
Greece –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Excellent experience. Had great fun!
Greece –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Solving puzzles while exploring this place was so much fun!
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Schön wäre wenn es eine Auflösung für die Rätsel gäbe – wenn man etwas nicht finden kann.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Die Schnitzeljagd ist eine coole Idee und führt einen quer durch die Stadt, doch die deutschen Übersetzungen sind teilweise etwas fragwürdig.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Deutsche Übersetzung ist grauenhaft. Rätsel ergaben somit nicht wirklich Sinn. Des Weiteren macht eine Überarbeitung der Sehenswürdigkeiten Sinn da die Bilder nicht mehr aktuell sind, teilweise Zugänge sogar gesperrt. Schade!
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
War ein schöner Start in Chania.
GiorgosK –
A little bit difficult but nice experience. Thank you
mariaSolan –
Very nice walk through the city. Nice idea the interaction with the atractions. We liked it a lot