Markets

Agora. The Chania Market building, or Agora, is a cruciform shaped covered bazaar constructed in 1911 selling locally produced cheeses, vegetables, fish, meat, herbs, spices, wine and of course olive oil. It was unfortunately constructed on the site of the central and northernmost of the five bastions built by the Venetians to protect the Old City, which also involved the destruction of part of the Venetian city wall. The building was inaugurated by Crete's most famous son, Eleftherios Venizelos, the then Prime Minister of Greece, and after whom the main airport at Athens is named. There are a number of 'snack bars' selling fresh traditional Cretan dishes and fresh fish.

Minoos Street. One of the most popular open air street markets is on a Saturday morning in Odos Minoos (The Street of King Minos), near to, and running parallel with, part of the eastern Venetian fortification wall. This is a colourful farmers market, offering mainly local fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, chicken and rabbits, with a few plant and cheap clothes stalls. Starts about 7.30am and closes about 1.00pm.

'Leather Lane'. Scifon Street, or 'Leather Lane', is located off Halidon Street. It still has an Eastern Market feel, but there is little evidence now of the traditional Cretan leather bootmakers that once occupied this street.