Why go
The harbor is the natural starting point, but Kasteli, Splantzia and Topanas explain the old town’s shape. Nea Hora lies west of the historic core, while Halepa grew to the east. Those directions turn a loose city stroll into a useful choice of neighborhoods.
The full story
The old harbor sits on Crete’s north coast, with the historic town gathered just behind it. Kasteli occupies a low hill by the sea. Its position offered a defensible settlement close to the harbor and the valley inland, which helps explain why successive communities used the same ground. The old town later acquired Venetian fortifications; surviving eastern and western sections still show the former limits. Topanas lies to the west of Kasteli, while Splantzia is to its east. The modern city extends mainly south from this core. Nea Hora, west of the old town, developed around a small fishing harbor. Halepa expanded eastward and became associated with prominent residences. On a map these are adjoining districts, but on foot they reveal different stages of Chania’s growth.