Chania: Walking Food Tasting Tour with Cretan Bougatsa & Raki

Summary

Chania food tour through old town flavors and family shops

You’ll wander Chania’s old town tasting bougatsa fresh from the oven, sipping raki with locals who know every shortcut, sampling olives and sweets you probably can’t pronounce yet. Expect laughter over sticky fingers, stories from shopkeepers, and quiet moments watching a Cretan knife-maker at work. You might leave full but wanting just one more bite.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a tiny glass — clear liquid, sharp scent. Raki, our guide says, smiling like she’s in on a joke. I sip (too fast) and it burns just enough to wake me up. We’re standing outside this bakery where the bougatsa is so flaky it leaves crumbs all over my shirt. The baker waves us in, flour dusting his arms, and I try to say “thank you” in Greek but mostly mumble. He laughs anyway.

Chania’s old town is loud in its own way — not city noise, but the slap of sandals on stone and people calling out greetings across narrow streets. Our guide knows everyone; she points out which olives come from her uncle’s grove (the green ones with that buttery bite) and which cheese is made just outside town. There’s a stop for loukoumades — sticky honey clings to my fingers, and honestly I don’t even care about the mess.

We duck into this herbs shop that smells like wild thyme and something sharper I can’t name. The owner talks fast, hands moving everywhere as he packs little bags for us to smell. There’s a moment when someone asks about the knives — turns out we’re heading next door to watch an old man etch patterns into steel by hand. It’s quieter there, almost meditative, except for the clang now and then when he checks the blade’s edge.

I didn’t expect to feel so at home just wandering with strangers, tasting things I can barely pronounce (kalitsounia? still not sure). By the time we reach the Venetian port I’m full but somehow hungry for more of these small stories — or maybe just another coffee before heading back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Food tasting and local visits in Chania

• Visit traditional bougatsa shop
• Taste local Raki and Tsikoudia
• Taste Cretan cheese and olives
• Taste local sweets
• Visit local herbs and products store
• Visit traditional Cretan knife manufacturer
• Explore old town narrow streets
• See Venetian Port and market area

Top questions

What foods are included on the Chania food tasting tour?

The tour includes bougatsa pastry, local cheeses, olives, loukoumades (sweets), kalitsounia snacks, Greek coffee, and raki (Tsikoudia). Afternoon tours also include pita gyros.

Does the Chania food tour include pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; the tour starts in Chania town center.

Is lunch provided during this walking food tour?

The tour includes plenty of snacks such as cheese, olives, pastries, sweets, and for afternoon tours pita gyros — enough for a light meal.

Are drinks included on this Chania food tour?

Yes; Greek coffee and raki (Tsikoudia) are offered during the experience.

Will we visit both modern and old parts of Chania?

Yes; you’ll walk through both modern areas and the charming narrow streets of Chania’s old town including the Venetian Port area.

How long does the Chania walking food tasting tour last?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect several stops over a leisurely walk through town.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes; it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels as it involves gentle walking with frequent stops.

Are public transportation options nearby?

Yes; public transportation options are available near the meeting point in Chania.

What’s included

Your day includes plenty of small or bigger snacks like cheese, olives, bougatsa pastry straight from a traditional bakery, loukoumades sweets dripping with honey, kalitsounia pastries (and pita gyros if you join in the afternoon), plus Greek coffee and local raki served along your stroll through both modern corners and winding lanes of Chania’s old town.