Chania Crete

Chania is the second largest city of Crete, after Heraklion, and is definitely one of the most beautiful cities of Greece. The great Venetian and Ottoman monuments are preserved almost intact, particularly in the harbour of the city, allowing visitors to travel back in time. Thus, Chania has a double character; that of the old town, with narrow streets, the old Venetian harbour and the heritage-listed buildings, and that of the modern part, in the centre of the city.

Based on the findings of the excavations made in various areas of the island, such as in Kasteli, it seems that Crete has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. Chania is the location in which the Minoans built Cydonia, the third largest city of Minoan Crete after Knossos and Phaistos. Crete was conquered by the Arabs in 824 AD, who turned the island into a base for their pirate raids; Crete was liberated after approximately 140 years by the Byzantines. The next ruler of Crete were the Venetians and during their rule the island was strengthened culturally and the famous Venetian Harbour in Chania was built,. Following the Venetians came the Ottoman occupation, which ended in 1897, after several bloody conflicts and battles. During the World War II, the island was conquered and bombed by the Germans, with devastating consequences, and Chania was the last european city liberated in 1945. From the 70's onwards, the island starts turning into a tourist destination. In 1971 Chania ceased to be the capital of the island, and Heraklion became again the capital of Crete.

The Old Town and the Venetian Harbour are without doubt the main attractions of Chania. You can walk around in the area, with the picturesque streets, and admire the masterpieces of Venetian and Ottoman Architecture. There you will meet the Egyptian Lighthouse, one of the oldest in the world, as well as the Mosque of Kioutsouk Hassan, or Glass Tzamisi, the only mosque preserved in the city of Chania, which is an amazing example of islamic art in the Renaissance and now serves as a venue for events and exhibitions. Also, a popular attraction is the Tombs of the Venizelos family, located a few kilometers away from the city offering panoramic views of Chania. They are the tombs of the Greek politician and seven times prime minister of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophocles Venizelos, alonside a small church of the Prophet Elijah and the statue of Spyros Kagialedaki.

Chania is famous for its beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, 11 of which are holders of the distinction "Blue Flag". Some of the closest to the city of Chania beaches are the Nea Chora, the Gold Coast and the Agioi Apostoloi; all of them are fully organized and of great natural beauty. A while further, you will find the Beach of Stefanos or otherwise 'Seitan Limani' (Seitan Harbour), a secluded, narrow beach, surrounded by cliffs, which you will have to descend to get to, however the clear blue waters and the wild beauty of the landscape will compensate you. At a distance of about 50 kilometres from Chania, you will find 2 of the most wonderful beaches of the Mediterranean, Falassarna and Balos. The first impresses with its white sand, turquoise waters and the breathtaking sunset that it offers, while the second is a unique lagoon, with shallow, blue-green waters and a shore with pink color due to the broken sea shells, with a beauty that will be etched indelibly in your memory.

The cretan cuisine has gained a worldwide reputation because of its pure product and its insuperable flavors, and after a visit of you in Chania, you'll understand why. There are a number of options when it comes to food and dining. You can choose from countless restaurants and 'rakadika' (taverns) with traditional dishes, traditional 'cafenia' with delicious small dishes (called 'mezedakia') and restaurants offering local cuisine with a sophisticated twist. The surrounding villages are also suitable for those who wish to experience intense culinary experiences, as around the picturesque squares of the villages, you can enjoy authentic cretan dishes. Don't forget to try local delicacies such as ntakos, kaltsounia, 'tsigariasto' (fried lamb), 'pilafi' (rice) and excellent grilled meat, as well as, the famous tsikoudia or raki.

The options for your night out in Chania are endless. The nightlife starts from the Old Town, the Venetian Harbour and the seaside Koum Kapi. There you will find many restaurants, taverns, snack bars and bars, where you can enjoy good local food and plenty of drink, accompanied by music that will stir you up. The atmosphere often feels like a Cretan feast. If you wish to continue your night out, pay a visit to the tourist area of Agia Marina and Platanias where the fun lasts till dawn in the famous clubs of Chania.

In Chania operates the Airport 'Eleftherios Venizelos' of Souda serving numerours international and domestic flights. There is also a ferry connection with various ports of Greece.

For your transportation within the island, you can either use the public bus transportation network - KTEL -, which runs frequently and serves many destinations on the island, or rent a car from the rent-a-car companies of Crete as well as use taxis for shorter routes.

The telephone code prefix is (+30) 28210.