Ταξιδιωτικός οδηγός του/της Angeliki
Guidebook for Chania
Chania is also one of the two places you are most likely to see on arriving in Crete. It is beautiful - that is to say much of the Chania you will want to see is clustered close to the harbour - old buildings, museums, churches and crafts shops (some with genuinely interesting and sometimes local, products on offer).
Food is offered in great variety and sometimes great similarity - there are many restaurants and also cafes, at which to reflect upon the experiences of places you have just explored together with the enjoyment of some tasty food - we have suggestions for restaurants further on.
The atmosphere has a touch of Florence and Venice (a few years ago when those cities still had some room to walk), combined with the culture and character of Cretan people and traditions.
The Chania harbour is wonderful and at any particular time of day the light produces a different result, creating a "different place".
This is the best chance to see some of the old buildings - of Venetian and Turkish design, that Crete once had across the island - many have since been destroyed by the ravages of war and plunder.
Chania is surrounded by numerous rich options for sightseeing, exploration and discovery. Mountain villages provide a view into the "inner Crete". The Samaria and many other gorges can be hiked, archaeological sites abound.
A stroll in the town’s most enchanting area
Chania’s Venetian Harbour was carefully built in the 14th century for commercial purposes and for protection against pirate raids. Today it is a point of reference for the city of Chania, and a much-photographed place with a touch of magic! This city hub is filled with cafes, restaurants, tavernas serving local delicacies, bars, pastry stores and art shops as well as monuments referring to various historical periods. You will find there is a balanced mixing of Cretan, Ottoman and Venetian elements, beautiful narrow alleys across the old town and amazing architecture. The old harbour area .beckons you to enjoy a carefree journey through time as you explore it.
Extra tip: If walking is not your thing, take a horse carriage parked outside Yali Tzami and explore the town - the romantic way!
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Old Venetian Harbor
8 Agiou MarkouA stroll in the town’s most enchanting area
Chania’s Venetian Harbour was carefully built in the 14th century for commercial purposes and for protection against pirate raids. Today it is a point of reference for the city of Chania, and a much-photographed place with a touch of magic! This city hub is filled with cafes, restaurants, tavernas serving local delicacies, bars, pastry stores and art shops as well as monuments referring to various historical periods. You will find there is a balanced mixing of Cretan, Ottoman and Venetian elements, beautiful narrow alleys across the old town and amazing architecture. The old harbour area .beckons you to enjoy a carefree journey through time as you explore it.
Extra tip: If walking is not your thing, take a horse carriage parked outside Yali Tzami and explore the town - the romantic way!
Visit the wonderful Naval Museum (Maritime Museum) - it delivers a superb introduction to the History of Crete and is by no means only for maritime mavens, you will learn more here in half an hour than most could teach you, about the events that filled Crete's moving past. Excellent, well done. Open: 10.00 to 14.00 daily, except Monday. Tel: 28210-91875. Admission: 2.50 euros.
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Maritime Museum of Crete
14-16 DefkalionosVisit the wonderful Naval Museum (Maritime Museum) - it delivers a superb introduction to the History of Crete and is by no means only for maritime mavens, you will learn more here in half an hour than most could teach you, about the events that filled Crete's moving past. Excellent, well done. Open: 10.00 to 14.00 daily, except Monday. Tel: 28210-91875. Admission: 2.50 euros.
Visit Tabakaria a district with old leather processing houses found on the rocky eastern side of the city of Chania. The area was chosen for the following reasons: the abundant brackish subterranean waters used to soften leather, and its relative closeness to the city. Today some of the leather processing houses are still in operation. Adjusted to the natural properties of the land, the buildings have only one floor on the side of the street and two or three floors on the side of the sea. They are made of stone with tile roofs. They are built close to each other with very narrow, steep passages and steps going down to the sea. Tabakaria constitute a unique architectural complex.
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Tabakaria District
17 VivilakiVisit Tabakaria a district with old leather processing houses found on the rocky eastern side of the city of Chania. The area was chosen for the following reasons: the abundant brackish subterranean waters used to soften leather, and its relative closeness to the city. Today some of the leather processing houses are still in operation. Adjusted to the natural properties of the land, the buildings have only one floor on the side of the street and two or three floors on the side of the sea. They are made of stone with tile roofs. They are built close to each other with very narrow, steep passages and steps going down to the sea. Tabakaria constitute a unique architectural complex.
The Samaria Gorge National Park is a truly natural wonder and offers the ultimate hiking experience, beginning deep in the mountains and ending up practically on the shores of the Libyan Sea.
Walk through a deep ravine that’s bathed in sun yet shaded by trees. Descend from often misty mountains on stony hiking paths, cross crystalline springs, walk over fascinating rocky landscapes, admire breath-taking cliffs and take breaks near gurgling fountains. This is the longest gorge in Europe, extending over 18 kilometres (11 miles). It begins at the plateau of Omalos deep in the mountains and ends at the little beachside village of Agia Roumeli on the Southern coast of the island (facing the African coast!).
As you walk, you’ll admire the changing flora full of pine trees, flowering plants, and herbs. At some point after hiking three quarters of the way you’ll come across a fascinating abandoned stone village now used by the National Park Authorities. If you’re lucky, you’ll also come across wild Cretan goats known as Kri-Kri and get to admire birds of prey hovering in the skies above.
After a break in the little lazy village of Agia Roumeli, hop on a boat that takes you the village of Chora Sfakion or Sougia, where the coach will take you back to the Chania-Kissamos side of the island.
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Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge National Park is a truly natural wonder and offers the ultimate hiking experience, beginning deep in the mountains and ending up practically on the shores of the Libyan Sea.
Walk through a deep ravine that’s bathed in sun yet shaded by trees. Descend from often misty mountains on stony hiking paths, cross crystalline springs, walk over fascinating rocky landscapes, admire breath-taking cliffs and take breaks near gurgling fountains. This is the longest gorge in Europe, extending over 18 kilometres (11 miles). It begins at the plateau of Omalos deep in the mountains and ends at the little beachside village of Agia Roumeli on the Southern coast of the island (facing the African coast!).
As you walk, you’ll admire the changing flora full of pine trees, flowering plants, and herbs. At some point after hiking three quarters of the way you’ll come across a fascinating abandoned stone village now used by the National Park Authorities. If you’re lucky, you’ll also come across wild Cretan goats known as Kri-Kri and get to admire birds of prey hovering in the skies above.
After a break in the little lazy village of Agia Roumeli, hop on a boat that takes you the village of Chora Sfakion or Sougia, where the coach will take you back to the Chania-Kissamos side of the island.
There’s something breathtakingly magical about Elafonisi, a small island off Crete’s northern coast surrounded by shallow lagoons with crystal blue waters and pinkish sands.
The little island – just 40 meters (130 feet) off Crete and 140 km (87 miles) off the coast of Africa – is a leisurely walk and wade from the mainland through the magic lagoons. Voted often as one of the top beaches, Elafonisi is very popular during the high season and is ideal for families, thanks to its shallowness. The ride to Elafonisi is in itself an experience, as you pass by the impressive cave of Saint Sofia – complete with stalagmites and a church’ – then through picturesque mountain villages before reaching the wild, southwestern side of Crete in one of Europe’s closest points to Africa. Exploring the island will reveal strange rock formations and quiet coves, perfect to relax in with friends or a partner.
It is important to mention that Elafonisi lies in a specially designated Natura 2000 area, meaning that visitors can enjoy its beauty and nature but should take care not to disturb it. As wild as it looks, the island boasts over 100 plant species, including a rare flowering perennial plant (Androcymbium rechingeri).
Elafonisi village
There’s something breathtakingly magical about Elafonisi, a small island off Crete’s northern coast surrounded by shallow lagoons with crystal blue waters and pinkish sands.
The little island – just 40 meters (130 feet) off Crete and 140 km (87 miles) off the coast of Africa – is a leisurely walk and wade from the mainland through the magic lagoons. Voted often as one of the top beaches, Elafonisi is very popular during the high season and is ideal for families, thanks to its shallowness. The ride to Elafonisi is in itself an experience, as you pass by the impressive cave of Saint Sofia – complete with stalagmites and a church’ – then through picturesque mountain villages before reaching the wild, southwestern side of Crete in one of Europe’s closest points to Africa. Exploring the island will reveal strange rock formations and quiet coves, perfect to relax in with friends or a partner.
It is important to mention that Elafonisi lies in a specially designated Natura 2000 area, meaning that visitors can enjoy its beauty and nature but should take care not to disturb it. As wild as it looks, the island boasts over 100 plant species, including a rare flowering perennial plant (Androcymbium rechingeri).
If you are looking for more quite beaches, Falasarna, is a very long beach that is located on the west part of island, 44km from your hotel, What makes this beach so unique, is the length, you can walk along the sandy beach for a lot of time
Falasarna Bay
If you are looking for more quite beaches, Falasarna, is a very long beach that is located on the west part of island, 44km from your hotel, What makes this beach so unique, is the length, you can walk along the sandy beach for a lot of time
A trip by car I would suggest: To "Therissos" - you drive through a beautiful gorge. The village itself is historic and has some good tavernas like "Andartis". But if you have time, you can continue further to Zourva and come down to Chania again via Meskla. This is a spectacular drive (if the atmosphere is clear and not too hazy), marked on some maps as unpaved - but it is now paved. Just after Zourva there is a taverna on its own with glass windows with 360 views and good local food.
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Theriso
A trip by car I would suggest: To "Therissos" - you drive through a beautiful gorge. The village itself is historic and has some good tavernas like "Andartis". But if you have time, you can continue further to Zourva and come down to Chania again via Meskla. This is a spectacular drive (if the atmosphere is clear and not too hazy), marked on some maps as unpaved - but it is now paved. Just after Zourva there is a taverna on its own with glass windows with 360 views and good local food.