Chania (Hania)
is Crete’s old capitol, built round a picturesque harbour with Venetian houses, churches and quaint old streets.
The old city with its narrow lanes and small side streets are filled by small shops and craftsmen making their traditional wares from the past. It is never far from the sea and has now largely been taken over by the tourist trade. Halidhon is a well-known commercial street, walk down here passing the archaeological museum and down to the harbour Square.
The area called Kastelli is the oldest part of Chania, accessed from the harbour square.
Chania (Hania) is a beautiful town,
colourful, historical, cultural with a good and varied selection of accommodation. Great choices of cafes, bars and restaurants but not just around the busy Venetian harbour area. Night life is fairly intensive.
The impressive market place is next to the public gardens and opposite the Archaeological museum and close the Maritime museum. The old town - don't miss it, leads down to the harbour with its well known harbour building Kioutsouk Hassan Mosque.
The old town has so much to offer you from the Topanas and the Jewish Districts, Santrivani, Splantzia and Kasteli as well as a number of narrow streets and buildings of Venetian, Ottoman and Neoclassical architecture that are jaw-draping.
Flakatoras Ceramics
We are a family living in the town of Chania in the island of Crete and our life's work is pottery.
Our workshop is located in the centre of the old harbour of Chania in a graphic venetian building which is 800 years old.
Family introduction
The main shopping center is The Old Town, here you can find shops and tourist shops, selling clothes, shoes, books, accessories and souvenirs. Many Cretan products, such as raki, wine, rakomelo, cheese, and herbs, can be found and purchased in local shops. Shops in Chania Old Town are open until night, offering great chances for combining strolling and shopping.
Handmade Cretan boots
“Stivania”
In Chania town is an area called stivanádika the 'stivania workshops', where the boots are made.
Visit the old town of Chania and go to Skridlof Street, (The leather market street) just off Chalidon street and near the Chania Market.
Image by Discover Greece
Visit The Lighthouse
The lighthouse was constructed by the Venetians at the end of 16th century, has a hight of 21 meters, (height from sea surface 26m),
its light reaches a distance of 7 miles. Its base is oktagonal, the middle part has 16 angles, while the top part is circular.
The Lighthouse is the main attraction in the old port of Chania, especially when it's lit up during the night and is a favorite walking area for locals and visitors.
You can visit the Lighthouse of Chania and discover one of the greatest monuments of the island.
Book any of 65 Chania tours direct
The second largest city of Crete is famous for its Old Town, and is beloved for it's typically Greek cuisine and sunny weather.
Allow a local guide to walk you through the rich history of Chania, from the Byzantine and Arab era, the Venetian era, all the way through to the Ottoman and modern times.
Your private Chania tour will uncover layers upon layers of history, in one of Crete's most charming settings.
Snacks, Lunch, Dinner
The abundant service of cafes, street food outlets, tavernas/restaurants in Chania around the harbour area. Spiantzia area roughly starts from Platis square and the church of Aghios Nikolaos and further into town, cobbled street between delightful buildings with carved wooden balconies.
Oinopoieio Taverna Located on Hatzimihali Daliani street in the Old Town near the only Minaret in the popular pedestrian zone of the Chania centre, Present a rustic old feeling OINOPOIEIO traditional Cretan menu. good wine list.
The Well of the Turk Located Sarpak 1 street, In the less touristy, area of Spiantzia of Chania. The Well of the Turk offers a wide variety of authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes made from the finest ingredients.
To Chalkina Located on the old harbour, Chania. Good and tasty food try the lamb dish. Live music, busy place. I like their introduction “The best way to learn the History of a country is at dinner table”
To Statchi Located 5 Defkalionos Street a side street with park and water view, outdoor seating available. Vegetarian traditional cuisine, Family run restaurant! Vegan & Gluten free! Homemade food! Bakes bread in-house. Ask for the special dish of the day
To Maridaki located Daskalogianni 33, Spiantzia part of Chania town. Fish, seafood restaurant. Every day presenting and cook whatever fish and seafood is available that day in the market, so our daily menu depends on it.
Alcanea Boutique Hotel terrace view, Image by Aria Hotels
Chania old towm/harbour area your best stay
Malmo Historic Hotel 3 star hotel. Located in the Venetian district of Ponte del Viari in the old Chania Town. Air-conditioning, a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV a private bathroom with a bidet, Free Wi=Fi. Certain rooms with a balcony and others also boast city views.
Flaneur Boutique |Hotel, A total of five rooms located close to Kucuk Hasan Mosque and Mitropoleos Square, Chania old town and harbour. All rooms with a private bathroom/shower, the rooms, have air-conditioning, flat-screen TV and certain rooms come with a terrace. Free Wi-Fi.
Alcanea Boutique Hotel 4 star hotel. Located om the Chania Harbour waterfront ,features a wine bar with scenic views of the Old Port and an elegant courtyard surrounded by flowers. Eight rooms accessible via the staircase have air-conditioned, with bathroom/shower, equipped with Free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, minifridge, and iPod docking station. Bathrobes, slippers, a hairdryer.
Monastery Estate Venetian Harbour, 5 star hotel. Located only a stone’s throw away from the city’s seafront Chania old town and Harbour. Fitted with arches, stone-carved doors and wooden floors. Each comes with a private bathroom with shower, bathrobes, slippers and free toiletries, while some also include a seating area. Some suites open to a private terrace with hot tub. All guests have access to the indoor and outdoor restaurant areas, and our unique wellness and spa services, which include a swimming pool constructed on top of ceiling-high Venetian arches.
The suggested hotels are all located in Chania Old town and close to the harbour. Join activities / excursions, as you wish, spend time in Chania, save on car rental and many of the hotel offer airport transfer Chania Airport.
All the above hotels (in no particular order) can be Book direct or you can find them and more alternatives on Booking.com
Great Beaches
-
Nea Chora Beach
Good town beach. 1km, west outside Chania town centre. Bars, tavernas, restaurants and accommodation
-
Glarios Beach
Kato Daratsos village is where you find Glarios Beach, approx. 4km, west of Chania town Centre. Local bus available
-
Aghia Marina Beach
9km west of Chania. the popular resort/beach of Aghia Marina. Accommodation, bar, tavernas and restaurants. Water sport activities
-
Balos Beach and Lagoon
The magnificent but somewhat isolated <strong>Balos beach</strong> located 53.5km from Chania, around 80 minutes drive
Listed as one of the best beaches in the world. This exotic beach-lagoon and rare natural monument is situated between the Gramvousa peninsula and Cape Tigani.
-
Seitan Limania Beach
or Stephanou beach is located 20 km north east of Chania town, east side of Akrotiri peninsula. No taverna.
The road to the beach is a bit steep , the path from the parking area down to the beach is even steeper. You need good shoes and practical clothing. Bring water (plenty) and snacks with you.
-
Stavros Beach
North of Chania town, top end of Akrotiri peninsula. Fully service beach, accommodation available. Popular beach known from the film “Zorba the Greek”
How to get to Chania
By Air
Chania Airport (CHQ)
located in Akrotiri, just under 14km east of Chania town. Daily flights from Athens. From March/April until end of October several European charter flights and low fare airlines fly to Chania airport named after Ioannis Daskalogiannis a Sfakian hero.
Domestic and International flights Aegean Airlines
Ktel, the local bus service from/to the airport,
Local and International car hire service, Auto Europe Car Hire
Good choice of taxi service, here is on "Taxi Chania" that takes bookings on line.
By sea
The ferry port is located in the bay of Souda. Daily connection with Pireus via ferry lines. Chania is also a NATO naval base here in Souda bay