Chania

in Crete

Information about villages, beaches, sightseeing, restaurants, activities and more...

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Map of Chania

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 Chania Guide

About Chania
Chania is one of the most tourist destinations of Crete. Travelers who come are captivated by the
traditional style of the villages and the purity of the natural environment.

The region of Chania, situated in western Crete, occupies a very important place in the history of
Crete. Historians say that Chania was the exact location for the ancient Minoan establishment of
Kydonia, a flourishing town.

After the disappearance of the Minoan civilization, the area declined and flourished again in the
14th century, when it was conquered by the Venetians. The Venetians have left their vivid mark in
the region, mostly in Chania town. Most of the elegant mansions that can be found in the Old Town
of Chania date from that era, while the Venetian lighthouse in the Old Port has become over the
years the trademark of the town.

Those times, the region flourished out of trade and arts were developed. The Venetian period of
Chania ended in 1645, when it was conquered by the Ottomans. Remains of the Ottoman period
still survive in Chania Town, such as the Ottoman Baths and some mosques, with the mosque of
Kioutsouk Hanan being the most notable.

Apart from Chania Town, the entire region is also breathtaking. The sandy beaches, the mountains
villages, the seaside hamlets, the pure nature, the Byzantine monasteries spread along the inland,
all create a fantastic background to explore.

If you drive around Chania, you will be amazed by the wild nature that will unfold in front of your
eyes. You will have the chance to hike impressive gorges, such as the Gorge of Samaria, and see
rare flora and fauna. Chania has one of the rarest herb life in Greece and attracts many nature
lovers.

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 Chania Guide

Best Villages in Chania

Town (Rating: by Greeka members)
Location: On the northern side of Crete

Description: Chania Town is the capital of the prefecture and one of the
most beautiful towns in Crete. Its architecture has Venetian and Ottoman
elements, while its most picturesque spot is the old port with the lighthouse.
Sightseeing: Ancient Kydonia, Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum,
Catholic Church of Saint Francis, Church of Virgin Mary, Folklore Museum,
Naval Museum of Crete, Ottoman Baths, Typography Museum, Venetian
Lighthouse, War Museum

Sfakia (Rating: by Greeka members)

Location: 72 km south east of Chania Town

Description: Chora Sfakion, or just Sfakia, is a historical place for Crete, as

many fighters of the Cretan Revolution came from there. The wild landscape
and the calm beaches offer a great place for holidays.

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 Chania Guide
Paleochora (Rating: by Greeka members)
Location: 80 km south west of Chania Town

Description: Paleohora is the most popular resort on the southern side of

Chania Crete. It has developed tourism without losing its traditional character.
From Paleochora, boats go on close excursions.
Sightseeing: Fortress of Selino

Kissamos
Location: 41 km west of Chania Town
Description: Kissamos is the second largest town in the prefecture of
Chania. Located in the western side of Crete, Kissamos is a nice excursion
base for the beautiful beaches and mountainous villages of the area.

Best Beaches in Chania

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 Chania Guide
Elafonisi (Rating: by Greeka members)
Location: 82 km south west of Chania Town

Description: Elafonisi is a small islet with exotic water. It can be reached by

boat from Paleochora as the road leading there is track and difficult.

Sightseeing: Monastery of Chrissoskalitissa

Balos
Location: 60 km north west of Chania Town

Description: Balos is an amazing beach on the north westernmost spot of

Chania Crete. It is accessed through a track road or by tour boat from
Kissamos.
Sightseeing: Castle of Gramvoussa

Falassarna
Location: 58 km west of Chania

Description: Falassarna is a lovely tourist resort with an extended, sandy

beach. The area is filled with olive groves and other vegetation. Falassarna
stands on the north western spot of Crete, pretty far from Chania Town.
Sightseeing: Ancient Falassarna

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 Chania Guide

Georgioupolis (Rating: by Greeka members)

Location: 37 km south east of Chania Town

Description: This is a popular tourist resort about an hour drive from Chania
Town. It has many tourist facilities and a lovely, sandy beach.

Frangokastello beach
Location: 80 km south east from Chania Town

Description: This long and sandy beach is located on the southern side of
Crete, in front of an imposing Venetian Castle.

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 Chania Guide

Best Sightseeing in Chania

Venetian Lighthouse
Location: Town
The lighthouse of Chania is found in the Venetian Harbour and this is the
symbol of the town. Originally built by the Venetians in the 16th century, the
lighthouse was reconstructed by the Egyptians in the 19th century.

Samaria Gorge
Location: Omalos
The Gorge of Samaria is one of the largest gorges in Europe and a popular
hiking destination in Crete. It extends for 17 km and gives its visitors a view of
impressive landscape. This is the home of rare species of flora and fauna and
an abandoned village is seen on the way.

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 Chania Guide
Monastery of Chrissoskalitissa
Location: Elafonisi
The Monastery of Virgin Mary Chrissoskalitissa is located on top of a hill above
Elafonissi beach, on the south western coast of Chania. Inside the monastery,
there is a small museum with Byzantine icons, rare manuscripts and folklore
items.

Frangokastello Fortress
Location: Frangokastello
Built by the Venetians in 1371, Frangokastello is one of the landmarks of
Crete. It is an imposing structure with an exciting and mysterious story:
people report to have seen the ghosts of fighters on the beach in some dawns
of May.

Castle of Gramvoussa
Location: Balos
Gramvoussa is a small islet off the exotic beach of Balos, western Crete. On
top of this islet, there is a steep castle built by the Venetians between 1579
and 1582. The view from the this castle is breathtaking.

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 Chania Guide

Credits
Greeka.com would like to thank the following members for their valuable contribution, as some of
the photos included in this guide belong to them.
AliBoyle, Olympias, Paul, Smirka, adibm, aleksia, andoni, angie, biancamch, cigognes,
dirkvano, donatella, dreamofgreece, evitta, ewalina, fdumi, gerda, glljansen, hchcyoon,
ilkadina, jenike, jerrymungo, jopp, kyralino, marian49, miche, milos58, monnalisa, niki81,
ovibrumar, pantarei11, pravda, serser, sisi, traveller1, tzonio, zlivido, zsuzsi80

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