If you visit Chania for the first time, at some point you will see the classic horse carriages waiting by the Old Venetian Harbour. For many travellers it looks a bit touristy, but for us this ride became one of the warmest memories of our family trip. In this guide I will tell you how the horse carriage tour in Chania works, where it starts, how much we paid, what route we took and what the experience really feels like with kids.
Where the horse carriages start in Chania
The starting (and finishing) point of most horse carriage rides in Chania is right in front of the Küçük Hasan Mosque at the Old Venetian Harbour. This is the wide open square on the seafront, with the mosque on one side and the harbour promenade stretching along the water.
Carriages usually line up in a small row under big umbrellas. Drivers wait there in the afternoon and evening, chatting with passers-by and answering questions. You can simply walk up, check the prices on the board and choose the route that suits you best.
- Start & finish: Küçük Hasan Mosque, Chania Old Venetian Harbour
- How to find: follow the promenade of the Old Port until you see the mosque dome and horse carriages standing nearby
- Best time to go: late afternoon or early evening, when the light is softer and the heat is not so strong
Horse carriage routes in Chania
Every driver has a set of routes with fixed prices and approximate durations. The options may change slightly from season to season, but the idea is the same: a short harbour loop, a longer Old Town ride, and a full tour that goes deeper into the streets of modern Chania.
In October 2019 we chose the longest route. It lasted a bit more than 30 minutes and took us through both the Old Town and some of the central streets of Chania. For us it was the perfect balance: enough time to enjoy the views without the kids getting bored or tired.
Our 2019 long route (street by street)
Here is the exact sequence of streets we followed, starting and finishing at the mosque:
- Start: Küçük Hasan Mosque, Old Venetian Harbour
- Sfaka Street – leaving the harbour area and entering the town
- Archoleon Street
- Kallergon Street
- Kiprou Street
- Nikiforou Foka Street
- Andrea Papandreou Street
- Tzanakaki Street – one of the main central avenues of Chania
- Sofoklis Venizelos Square – central square with busy traffic and city life
- Daskalaki Street
- Kanevarou Street – return towards the Old Town
- Finish: back at Küçük Hasan Mosque and the Old Harbour
Of course, traffic, temporary roadworks or one-way changes can slightly modify the route, but this gives you a clear idea: it is a proper city loop, not just a slow circle around the harbour.
Chania horse carriage prices
The latest horse carriage prices personally photographed by CreteTales at Chania Old Venetian Harbour in 2025 were:
- Route 1: €20 — approximately 15 minutes
- Route 2: €30 — approximately 25 minutes
- Route 3: €50 — approximately 45 minutes
The prices shown on the board were per horse carriage, not per passenger, with a maximum of four people.
When we took the longest route in October 2019, we paid €40 for our family of two adults and two children. By 2025, the displayed price for the longest route had increased to €50.
The photograph below shows the actual route and price board displayed beside the carriages in 2025. Prices may change, so check the board before boarding and confirm the route, duration and total price with the driver.
What the experience really feels like (my family story)
For me personally, this ride was more than just an attraction. I had never ridden a horse or sat in a horse-drawn carriage before. It was a small childhood dream quietly sitting somewhere in the background. And in Chania in 2019 it finally happened – together with my wife and our two daughters.
At first the children didn’t really understand what to expect. They were a bit shy climbing into the carriage and sat very quietly for the first minutes. But as soon as the horse started moving and we left the harbour, the carriage turned into a small theatre of happiness. In just a few minutes the girls were laughing, pointing at the streets, waving to people and asking questions about every corner we passed.
One of the unexpected highlights was the reaction of passers-by. People smiled, waved at us, some looked with that very familiar expression: “We also want to do this!”. You feel a bit like part of the city scenery – slowly gliding through Chania while others rush around on foot.
The biggest bonus: nobody gets tired. Normally, exploring the Old Town and central streets with kids means frequent stops, “my feet hurt” and negotiations for ice cream. In the carriage the whole family can just relax, watch the city and absorb the atmosphere.
Are the horses treated well? My honest opinion
Every year there are discussions and protests about horse carriages in Chania. Some animal rights groups argue that the horses stand in the sun, work too long and do not get enough water. It is important to take these concerns seriously.
At the same time, I can only share what I personally saw over the years living in Crete and passing by the Old Port. The owners I observed take their horses seriously: they keep them under umbrellas or in the shade whenever possible, give them water and food, and allow regular breaks between rides. Tourists often ask the driver for permission to feed the horse a small treat, and the atmosphere around the carriages feels calm rather than stressful.
My personal impression is this: for the owners the horses are not “machines”, but partners and part of the family business. Of course, not all days are the same – in August the sun can be very strong, and no attraction is perfect. But on our ride I did not feel that the horse was suffering or exhausted. The pace was slow and relaxed, with time to stop, wait at traffic lights and simply breathe.
If you are concerned about animal welfare, I recommend a few simple steps:
- Choose a time with less heat – late afternoon or evening rather than midday.
- Look at the horse before booking: does it look calm, well-fed and properly groomed?
- Talk to the driver and ask how often they give the horse water and rest.
- If something feels wrong, simply do not take that carriage – you always have a choice.
Practical tips for your horse carriage ride in Chania
- Best time of day: around sunset or early evening, when the light is golden and the harbour looks especially beautiful.
- What to bring: bottle of water, hat for the sun, small cash for the ride and maybe a tip, and of course your camera or phone.
- With children: explain beforehand what will happen and where they can hold on. After a couple of minutes most kids relax and start enjoying the ride.
- Where to sit: if possible, let children sit on the side with a better view of the harbour or the streets – it makes the experience more exciting for them.
- Ask for photos: drivers are usually happy to stop for a few seconds so you can take a family picture in the carriage.
When is horse carriage season in Chania?
Season length can vary, but in general you will see horse carriages in Chania from spring to late autumn. Our ride took place in October 2019, when the weather was still warm but not too hot and the atmosphere in the city was more relaxed than in high season.
In winter the carriages usually disappear from the harbour, and both horses and owners take a break until the next tourist season. If you are visiting in the shoulder months (April, October), I recommend passing by the mosque area in the afternoon to check if the carriages are operating that day.
Is a horse carriage ride in Chania worth it?
If you love slow travel, local experiences and small childhood dreams coming true, then yes – a horse carriage ride in Chania is absolutely worth it. It is not the cheapest way to explore the city, but it offers something unique: a calm, gentle journey through streets full of history, with your family sitting together and the sea breeze coming from the harbour.
For me, this experience combined everything I love about Crete: light, sea, old buildings, people’s smiles and the feeling that life can be simple and beautiful. Years later I still remember the sound of the horse’s steps on the pavement and my daughters’ laughter in the carriage.
If you decide to try it, start at the mosque, choose the route that feels right for your time and budget, and just let Chania slowly pass by you – one street at a time.
