Chania (Hania)
Crete’s most enjoyable city
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 Lighthouse
Harbour old Venetian buildings
Kioutsouk Mosque Chania Harbour
Maritime Museum
Old town street
Stivania Image by Discover Greece
Image by Pallas Restaurante Harbour
Old town
Chania (Hania)
Crete’s most enjoyable city
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 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.
Shopping in 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.
Stivania Handmade Cretan boots
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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”
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
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.
Pallas Bar&Restaurant with rooftop terrace Thealassa
Located Akti Tompazi Chania old town.
Good food, drinks and coctails in a friendly atmosphere. The restaurant Thealassa on the terrace of the 1st floor of Pallas, offers a unique experience, overlooking the lighthouse of the Venetian harbour,
Alcanea Boutique Hotel terrace view, Image by Aria Hotels
Chania old towm/harbour area your best stay
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.
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.
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 in and outside Chania
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Nea Chora Beach
Good town beach. 1km, west outside Chania town centre. Bars, tavernas, restaurants and accommodation
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Glarios Beach
Kato Daratsos village is where you find Glarios Beach, approx. 4km, west of Chania town Centre. Local bus available
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Aghia Marina Beach
9km west of Chania. the popular resort/beach of Aghia Marina. Accommodation, bar, tavernas and restaurants. Water sport activities
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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.
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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.
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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”