Chabad and Shabbat in Chania: kosher food, Etz Hayyim synagogue and what to do (2026)
Chania has no Chabad house, but it has an old, active synagogue, and kosher food can be ordered for Shabbat. How to plan Shabbat in western Crete.
- There is no Chabad in Chania. Chabad of Crete is in Hersonissos, about 166 km away.
- Etz Hayyim synagogue in Chania's old town is active, and its website says it holds a regular Kabbalat Shabbat.
- Order kosher Shabbat food from e-kosher.gr, 3–5 days ahead according to Chabad.
If you keep Shabbat and are going to Chania, plan ahead: order kosher food, pick a hotel in the old town within walking distance of the synagogue, and check the hotel doesn't use only electronic keys. If you want a community Shabbat meal and a regular minyan, consider spending Shabbat around Heraklion and Hersonissos.
Is there a Chabad in Chania?
No. Chania has no Chabad house, and neither does Rethymno. Chabad of Crete is in Hersonissos, the resort town east of Heraklion, at El. Venizelou 44. It is about 166 km from Chania, around two and a half hours' drive. Phone and WhatsApp: +30 695 588 0500, website: chabadcrete.com.
Chabad of Crete offers a kosher tavern, a grocery, ready Shabbat food, Shabbat and holiday meals by registration and, depending on the area, Shabbat kits delivered to hotels. Ask in advance whether delivery reaches Chania.
Etz Hayyim synagogue in Chania
Etz Hayyim is the last remnant of Crete's ancient Jewish community, in Chania's old town on Parodos Kondylaki. The community was Romaniote, Greek-speaking. In 1944 the Jews of Chania were deported, and on 9 June 1944 the deportation ship Tanais sank with about 265 Jews from the town on board. The synagogue was restored and rededicated in 1999 and is active today as a synagogue and community centre.
| Visiting hours | Mon–Thu 10:00–16:00, Fri 10:00–15:00 |
| Closed | Saturday, Sunday and Greek public holidays |
| Entry | €4, free for children under 14 and students |
According to its website it holds a regular Kabbalat Shabbat and High Holiday services. Saturday is not a tourist visiting day, so if you want to attend prayers, arrange it in advance. More: Etz Hayyim synagogue.
How to get kosher food for Shabbat in Chania
- e-kosher.gr: Chabad Athens' online shop, shipping across Greece including the islands. According to Chabad, order 3–5 days ahead.
- Chabad of Crete: ask on WhatsApp whether their Shabbat kit reaches Chania on your dates.
- Supermarket: fruit, vegetables, water and packaged goods. Some products carry a hechsher, but not everywhere, so check symbols and consult your rabbi.
- An apartment with a kitchen is easier than a hotel for an independent Shabbat.
Shabbat times in Chania
Candle-lighting and Shabbat end times for Chania update every week on our Shabbat times & kosher in Greece page.
Where to stay for Shabbat in Chania
- The old town near the harbour: within walking distance of Etz Hayyim.
- Hotels: check whether there is a regular key or only an electronic card, and ask about light sensors in corridors.
- There is no eruv in Chania.
Shabbat in Crete: Chania or Heraklion?
If you want a community Shabbat meal, spend Shabbat in Hersonissos near Chabad and the other days in the west. If you prefer Chania, you can manage with ordered food and private prayer. Flights to both airports: flights to Crete. All Chabad houses in Greece: Chabad in Greece.
How to plan Shabbat in Chania, step by step
- A week ahead: check Shabbat times and decide whether to spend Shabbat in Chania or in Hersonissos, near Chabad.
- 3–5 days ahead: order from e-kosher.gr, or ask Chabad of Crete on WhatsApp whether their kit reaches Chania.
- Friday morning: buy fruit, vegetables and water at the supermarket, and make sure you have a fridge and a hotplate or urn.
- To pray at Etz Hayyim: write to them in advance and ask whether there is Kabbalat Shabbat on your date.
- Check the room: regular key or card, light sensors and the lift.
That way you can combine Chania with a well-organised Shabbat even without a Chabad house in town.
FAQ
Is there a Chabad house in Chania? No. Crete's only Chabad house is in Hersonissos, about 166 km from Chania.
Is there an active synagogue in Chania? Yes, Etz Hayyim in the old town. According to its website it holds a regular Kabbalat Shabbat and holiday services.
How do I order kosher food for Shabbat in Chania? Through Chabad's e-kosher.gr, 3–5 days ahead, or through Chabad of Crete if their delivery reaches the area.
When does Shabbat start in Chania? Times update every week on Yavanet's Shabbat times page.
