Etz Hayyim Synagogue (Chania)
4.7
Romaniote origin, today Sephardic rite
Parodos Kondylaki, Chania Old Town
Restored and rededicated in 1999Kabbalat Shabbat every Friday evening
BooKasher · Greece
Crete
Greece's great beach island, with a cluster of kosher restaurants along the Hersonissos strip and the historic Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Chania
- 2 kosher restaurants
- 1 synagogues
- 1 Chabad houses
- 1 mikvehs
Pick a day on your trip — we'll show candle-lighting, havdalah, parsha and daily times for that week
Candle lighting
19:24
2026-09-04
Havdalah
20:23
2026-09-05
This week's Torah portion
Parashat Nitzavim-Vayeilech
7-day weather forecast
Accurate times for the upcoming Shabbat, calculated for this destination's location
Coming up: Rosh HashanaStarts Sep 11 19:14 · Ends Sep 13 20:12
Our guide
Crete is bigger than it looks: everything kosher - the Chabad house and both restaurants - is on the Hersonissos strip in the centre of the island, while the Etz Hayyim synagogue and its historic mikveh are in Chania in the west, about 160 km away by road. Chabad runs in season only, from Pesach to the end of November, and its Shabbat meals need booking in advance.
Our recommendations
- The kosher restaurants are concentrated along the Hersonissos strip - the historic Etz Hayyim Synagogue is in Chania, a drive away.
- Check availability of Shabbat and holiday meals at the kosher restaurants or the local Chabad house at least a few days in advance.
Stay in the kosher area of Crete
For Shabbat in Crete, base yourself in or near Chania's Old Town - Chabad of Crete (Chabad house listed on the site) is within walking distance from there, along with the other kosher listings for the city.
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Staying near the community in Crete
We don't have hotels or apartments of our own to recommend here yet. The map shows what is bookable around Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos) and our synagogues - so you can pick a bed within walking distance of the community.
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The next step of the trip - a car, an airport transfer and a stay, ready to book from here.
Rent a car in Crete
Compare prices across local and international car rental companies at every destination - often significantly cheaper than booking direct, with free cancellation.
Both sites compare rental companies - prices sometimes differ, so it's worth checking both.
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Airport Transfer to Your Hotel
Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel and back - a fixed price agreed in advance (no meter surprises), a driver waiting for you with a sign bearing your name, and no need to haggle or speak the local language.
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Guided Tours & Experiences
Guided tours, entry tickets and experiences in every destination - most with free cancellation, so you can plan ahead and still stay flexible around Shabbat and the chagim.
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Not listed by us in this destination:Recommended HotelsGuest ApartmentsKosher ToursTransfers & Transportation
Real-time price comparison across all airlines, including mix-and-match combinations a single airline won't always offer. You can search hotels in the same place too.
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Travel Internet - eSIM
Local data the moment you land - no hunting for a physical SIM at the airport.
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Common questions about Crete
- Where to eat kosher in Crete?
- We list 2 kosher restaurants in Crete, with supervision, address and directions.
- Where to pray in Crete?
- There are 1 synagogues and 1 Chabad houses in Crete, with addresses and prayer times when available.
- Where to stay within walking distance of a synagogue in Crete?
- Hotels and apartments in Crete, with walking-distance-to-shul notes when we have them.
- When is candle lighting in Crete?
- Candle lighting and Havdalah in Crete are calculated for the destination and updated every week.