Mikro Karavi Bookstore
Mikro Karavi Bookstore
3.5
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
536 within 3 miles
Attractions
82 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
16 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
5
lc217
NYC41 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
This local bookshop is owned and operated by a brother (Theodor) and sister duo from Chania. It's relatively new (2 yrs old), modern yet quaint, with a simple, open, bright layout that makes it easy to find books of interest (unlike some of the other local bookshops, which are crammed, crowded, and a bit dark). The prices are probably comparable to the other local bookshops - some items are more expensive than others but other items are probably cheaper. The selection in terms of variety seems reasonably good - I found a decent selection of children's books in English and Greek in comparison to the other local bookstores.
The name of the bookshop (Little Ship), which is a reference to a Greek story. I found the shop by chance while exploring backstreets on the way to St. Nicolas church (very close by). The co-owner (Theodor) is also very helpful and aware of his inventory so he's able to offer ideas about different books to consider. In addition to searching for select books it was a great opportunity to chat with a local who is happy to talk with visitors, learn more about them, and share a bit of Greek culture/life with them. What was originally a random stop to search for some gifts turned into a very pleasant and informative conversation about Greece. While the shop is not huge, I could easily spend hours there browsing or learning more about Greece!
If you aren't in a rush, looking for books for yourself or as gifts, don't want to be crammed into a small space with tons of other tourists, or just want the chance to chat with a local, you should stop by Mikro Karavi.
The name of the bookshop (Little Ship), which is a reference to a Greek story. I found the shop by chance while exploring backstreets on the way to St. Nicolas church (very close by). The co-owner (Theodor) is also very helpful and aware of his inventory so he's able to offer ideas about different books to consider. In addition to searching for select books it was a great opportunity to chat with a local who is happy to talk with visitors, learn more about them, and share a bit of Greek culture/life with them. What was originally a random stop to search for some gifts turned into a very pleasant and informative conversation about Greece. While the shop is not huge, I could easily spend hours there browsing or learning more about Greece!
If you aren't in a rush, looking for books for yourself or as gifts, don't want to be crammed into a small space with tons of other tourists, or just want the chance to chat with a local, you should stop by Mikro Karavi.
Written September 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rose
New York City, NY3 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Good selection of books but truly terrible staff/owners. I was browsing Greek children’s books for my daughter planning to buy a large selection (as I do on my annual trip to Chania). My daughter came in and started looking at the kids books. I noticed her pushing some of the books on the lower shelves towards the back of the shelves but didn’t remark on this. She took one or maybe two books off the shelves and put them back.
As I was getting ready to make my final selection the shopkeeper came over and asked what I was doing and motioned to the book shelves. At first I thought he was asking me what I was looking for but then I realized he was angry. He told me that we had been completely disrespectful to the store and the people that worked there, took the books I was intending to purchase out of my hands, and sent us out of the store. I was stunned speechless, mortified, and left to comfort my poor child, who was totally confused as to why she/we were in trouble and had to hold back tears for the rest of dinner.
I know some people reading this will assume I am not telling the whole story but I promise - this is all that happened. My daughter - who is 5 - pushed some books that were faces to the edge of their shelves to the back of the shelves, probably thinking she was helping. Re-facing would have taken all of 45 seconds.
Glad to hear independent bookstores are doing so well in Chania that shop owners can on a whim turn paying customers (and their children) out for simply touching books while browsing.
As I was getting ready to make my final selection the shopkeeper came over and asked what I was doing and motioned to the book shelves. At first I thought he was asking me what I was looking for but then I realized he was angry. He told me that we had been completely disrespectful to the store and the people that worked there, took the books I was intending to purchase out of my hands, and sent us out of the store. I was stunned speechless, mortified, and left to comfort my poor child, who was totally confused as to why she/we were in trouble and had to hold back tears for the rest of dinner.
I know some people reading this will assume I am not telling the whole story but I promise - this is all that happened. My daughter - who is 5 - pushed some books that were faces to the edge of their shelves to the back of the shelves, probably thinking she was helping. Re-facing would have taken all of 45 seconds.
Glad to hear independent bookstores are doing so well in Chania that shop owners can on a whim turn paying customers (and their children) out for simply touching books while browsing.
Written August 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ewapawlak
Warsaw, Poland5 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The place itself is very pleasant - it has great light, it is well equipped, the books are nicely presented. Unfortunately, the owners/staff are so unpleasant that you don't want to buy anything. I've been to a bookstore several times over 4 years - each time there's the same unpleasant energy, strange comments, rude answers, you feel like you're bothering the staff. Sad experience.
Written December 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francesca B
9 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
The shop seems well stocked and the atmosphere is very pleasant, however the owner (curly black hair woman) is at times extremely unpolite. On one hand she tells you to come to her if you need anything, but if you try to ask her questions in Greek, she snorts annoyed in your face, as if she has no time to waste. I understand that my Greek is not perfect, but since I’m in an empty bookstore buying books in Greek, It’s not really polite to be such a a….hole. If I were the owner, I would be flattered that someone tried try to speak my language. But she doesn't, she can't hide her irritation and snorts in your face. If you speak to her in English, she smiles at you again. Schizophrenic and rude. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to spend my money there anymore.
Written July 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tash J
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
This bookshop has some lovely stock and great books. Unfortunately the attitude of the staff ruined our experience of it, when we entered the shop the staff were very obvious about turning off the air conditioning. A really disappointing experience. We will not be visiting again.
Written August 21, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave P
2 contributions
Sep 2024 • Couples
Found this book store by chance and extremely happy to get the perfect birthday card for my brother in law whose birthday is today . It was a naked couple walking towards the sea hand in hand . Have just wished my brother in law a very happy birthday , was the best ever card he’d had .
Thanks to the bookshop owner , who was so helpful and also provided a stamp .
Thanks to the bookshop owner , who was so helpful and also provided a stamp .
Written October 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angel E
Honolulu, HI73 contributions
Aug 2022
Sadly, this is one of the worst bookstores in all of Greece!!! Mr. Theordor, who is the owner/manager, follows you throughout the store in a creepy sort of way... And then if you ask about a book title, he winces if he doesn't approve of the book choice! Judgmental, creepy, and clearly elitist, this gent is going the way of all elitist bookstores....He's a dying breed and good riddance!!! PS. Turn down the volume of your classical music (Yes, I know you want us to know that you listen to classical music...) and if you had any flair you would switch the Shostakovich (along with your Marx behind your desk from your University youth days) and play some ROMANTIC period music....it may just help you release the tension that must be lurking behind your creepy mask....
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheelagh B
London, UK12 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Fantastic bookstore, great selection of English language books. Very friendly owner, were able to browse for ages before buying. Great place!
Written October 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lina M
9 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
Worst staff ever , the man in the bookshop was so rude to us, I am sure this bookshop will close soon, he is so unprofessional
Written August 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Danny Touw
Champery, Switzerland59 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
Great authentic bookstore, the primary focus are Greek language books, but they also have a nice small collection of English language books. The English books cover Greece, Crete and Chania, as well general popular English books.
Written March 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing