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Sightseeing in Chania

The noble lady of the Prefecture of Chania, the Old Town is built within the Venetian walls that provided protection from aspiring conquerors and is a favourite destination for visitors, both local and from further afield, particularly in the summer months. You will not be able to get enough of walking along the waterfront in the Venetian port, the picturesque lanes, Sintrivani (Fountain) Square, or Santrivani as the Chaniots call it, otherwise known as Eleftherios Venizelos Square with the fountain at its centre, or of the cafés and tavernas, and the shops and museums. Discover the districts of Ovraiki (Jewish) and Topanas, as well as Splantzia, the old Muslim district to the southeast of Kastelli Hill, which is full of cafés and tavernas. Another picturesque neighbourhood is Machairadika, with the workshops in which they manufactured the traditional Cretan knives.

Kastelli hill stands above the Old Town and the area in which Kydonia lay, the ancient neighbourhood of Chania which had been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Kydonia was the third largest Minoan city to have been founded by King Minos in Crete, and the latest archaeological finds confirm that it was a large Minoan centre, equal to those of Phaistos and Knossos.

In the Venetian harbour, the jewel of the Old Town, you will be able to admire one of its landmarks, the Yiali Tzami (or Giali Tzami), which means “seaside mosque” and is the oldest Islamic building in Crete. You will also find a series of covered buildings that comprise the Venetian shipyards (Neoria) and the Grand Arsenal, which today houses the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture.
Address: Akti Enoseos & Pl. Katechaki, tel. +30 28210 34200 https://www.chania-culture.gr

You can go as far as the Egyptian Lighthouse on foot, one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, as you continue to walk by the jetty and the bastion of Agios Nikolaos of Molos. The lighthouse is 21 m tall and emits light over a radius of 7 miles. It was originally built in 1595-1601 by the Venetians and took its present form in 1859 following a command for its restoration by the regent of Egypt Mehmet Ali. This is why it resembles a minaret and is hence called "Egyptian”.

A visit to Chania Archaeological Museum is a must. Here you will encounter interesting archaeological finds from different eras and regions of the Prefecture of Chania. The museum is housed in the Monastery of Saint Francis, a monument from the Venetian period.
Address: 28 Halidon Street, tel.: +30 28210 90334.

At the northwest end of the Venetian harbour stands the awe-inspiring Firka Fortress. This fortress was built to protect the port, and so if there were a possible siege then a thick chain was used to close off the port from Firka to the base of the lighthouse at the other end of the harbour entrance.

In Firka fortress you will see a distinctive red building. This is the Naval Museum of Chania, with a collection that contains over 2,500 exhibits, such as miniature ships, nautical instruments, paintings and engravings, as well as a life-size model of a Minoan ship, with seats for 24 rowers.
Address: Akti Kountourioti, tel.: +30 28210 91875

You must take a walk from the town’s Municipal Market, housed in a huge building of 4,000 square metres and which has been designated as preserved. The Market was opened in 1913 and ever since then has showcased the richness of the wonderful products of Crete, such as meats, fish and local cheeses, as well as aromatic herbs, souvenirs and traditional goods.

Excursions near Chania

The famous Samaria Gorge is located in Crete and is the most walked footpath in Greece. It is about 17 km long and takes between four to seven hours to complete, depending on the individual. Note that the crossing is only permitted from May to October. In the summer months, it is crossed by thousands of people daily. The path for the descent into the gorge starts at Xyoskalo (altitude 1,227 m), on the plateau of Omalos, and ends at the coastal Agia Roumeli, in southern Crete. Along this route you will encounter springs with cool water, walk through wild nature and see waterfalls, lakes and ravines.

The Venizelos tombs, of Eleftherios and Sophocles Venizelos, are located at the beginning of the bay, at the road for Kounoupidiana, in an idyllic landscape on the hill of Profitis Ilias, just 5 km to the east of Chania town. This is an ideal place to enjoy the sunset, with a panoramic view of Chania.

Visit the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete, located just 18 km outside the town, at the foothills of the White Mountains. In this area of approximately 200 acres, the visitor will be introduced to fruit trees from all over the world, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants, alongside various species of wild flora and fauna. In the Park there is also a restaurant that sells organic and local products and Cretan dishes. The Botanical Park is open daily, from late March to late November, from 09:00 to 20:30.
Address: Skordalou Kydonia, Chania, Crete, Fournes area, 18th km of the Chania-Foures-Omalos National Road http://www.botanical-park.com

Other excursions that you should definitely try in the west of the island include to legendary Sfakia, the exotic deserted island of Gramvousa and the picturesque village of Milia. You must also visit the Venetian Frankocastelo (Frankish castle) from 1370 situated to the east of Chora Sfakia, which hides so many stories from the Venetian period, as well as from the conquest of Crete by the Ottomans.

The beaches of Chania

Some of the most beautiful beaches in Crete are located in the Prefecture of Chania.

The very touristic Georgioupoli, with 7 km of continuous sands, lies 38 km outside of Chania town.

On the most northwesterly edge of Crete, in the Prefecture of Chania, is the exotic lagoon beach of Balos, at the Gramvousa Peninsula, with its fine white sands and crystal-clear waters. Opposite the Balos lagoon are the two islands of Gramvousa, which can be visited by cruise boat from Kissamos harbour. For Balos, you can drive up to a certain point but then you will have to get out and walk.

At the stunning beach of Falasarna, justly considered one of the best in Europe, you will find blue-green waters and fine golden sands. This beach is located in the east of the Prefecture of Chania, approximately 53 km from the town.

Heavenly Elafonisi, with its fine white sands, crushed pink shells and shallow turquoise waters, is located at the most southwesterly edge of the Prefecture of Chania, 76 km from the town. To reach it, you must walk through the water, as it is located between island and peninsula. It is an area of particular natural beauty and is thus protected by the Natura 2000 programme.

Food in Chania

The famous Cretan cuisine requires no special recommendations, nor does the tsikoudia spirit drink (similar to ouzo) that accompanies each dish. In the Old Town you will find many tavernas, restaurants and charming haunts located in the beautiful old buildings with their well-tended gardens.

Especially in Chania, you must try grilled fish, lamb in many variations, stuffed courgette flowers, aubergine balls and the Chaniot boureki, a traditional pie with courgettes, potatoes and white cheese (feta or xinomyzithra), which is made either with or without phyllo pastry.

Sample the famous Sfakian pie, a delicious pie with xynomyzithra, which is often served with honey, creating a wonderful combination of flavours.

In the cuisine of the Prefecture of Chania, you will also discover lamb pie, Sfakian giachni stew, lamb with chicory, xerotigana (honey fried dough strips), macaroni with local anthotyro cheese and, of course, the famous Cretan gampilafo (wedding pilaf) with the aroma of rich stakovoutyro (a kind of cheese yoghurt).

Travelling from the airport

Olympic Air lands at Chania International Airport “Ioannis Daskalogiannis”. This is the second-largest airport in Crete, where you can find duty free shops, a restaurant and café, a bank, currency exchange office, post office and car rental agencies. Wi-Fi is free.

Chania International Airport is located 10 km from the town of Chania. You can reach your final destination from the airport with the KTEL local buses, which will take you as far as the town’s central bus station. There is also a taxi rank outside the airport.

The romantic and noble town of Crete, with its important historical landmarks and cosmopolitan feel, is a vibrant town. An ideal place to visit at any season of the year, but in the summer months especially it gives you the opportunity to enjoy the stunning nature and the heavenly beaches of the Prefecture of Chania. Book cheap flights to Chania with Olympic Air and fly to one of the most beautiful towns in Greece!