Today Hania is the second largest city on Crete with approximately 70,000 inhabitants. The population increases significantly during the summer months due to tourism. Traces of many historic periods remain both in the city and in the surrounding regions boasting a rich architectural heritage (Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman, and Neo-Classic). The city offers numerous cultural events as well as athletic activities in modern facilities throughout the year.

Hania due to its favorable position has been inhabited in Neolithic times. Recent research reveals that it flourished during the Minoan civilization. Known with the name Kydonia, Hania was always one of the most important towns in Crete.

Hania was rebuild in 1252 in the vicinity of the Byzantine castle (Kasteli) and was surrounded by big walls made of stone. Around the city existed the Venetian monasteries of St. Francis (the greatest and most splendid Venetian church of the island which nowadays houses the Archaeological Museum), of St. Nicolas in Splanzia Area (today the location of an orthodox church), of St. Salvatore, etc.

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After the middle of the 16th century the external walls of the city were built based on the design of the Italian engineer Michelle Sanmichielli. They had an orthogonal shape with many parapets. The most important parts which are found today are: the Firkas Fort (which houses the Naval Museum), the southwest and northeast parapet and the Lighthouse.

The influence from all these civilizations are obvious in the architecture of Hania's buildings (Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish and Neoclassic). The narrow streets of the Old Town, the well-kept traditional houses, the taverns and the tourist shops are just a small part of the famous and exceptionally beautiful Venetian harbor of Hania.

At the end of the last century when Hania was the capital of Crete, the town quickly developed around the Old town and outside the walls. In the suburb of Halepa one can see the building of the former French School (today it houses the conference center of Technical University of Crete), the house of Eleftherios Venizelos, the old palace of Prince George, and many other neoclassical buildings.

Other neoclassical buildings in Hania are: the Municipal Market, the Town Clock, the Prefecture (which used to be a turkish hospital), the Historical Museum of Crete which is housed in the same building with the Folklore Museum, etc.

The town of Hania is characterized by an intense cultural activity, life and tourism, particularly in the area of the old town. Hania has a composite character; while retaining its Cretan tradition it fully participates in the evolution of Europe.

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