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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Chania: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Chania
- On the north shore of western Crete, Chania is one of Greece's most attractive towns.
- The city's cobblestone streets are lined with shops selling clothes, ceramics, and local artwork, and it's a popular holiday spot for Greeks in August.
- Chania is a lovely place to lose yourself for an afternoon, which could quickly turn into an evening dinner at a romantic restaurant overlooking the Venetian harbour.
- The Venetians (1204-1645) fortified Chania and made it the island's capital in the 13th century, giving it its current layout.
- The capital of the island was relocated to Heraklion in 1971.
- Chania is known for its Venetian harbour and its winding alleys lined with bougainvillaea and jasmine in the old town.
- Traditional leather crafts are well-known in Chania, and there are also excellent boutiques for island-friendly fashions and crafts.
- Capital: Chania
- International Airport: Chania Airport (CHQ)
- Population: 108,642
- Currency: the euro
- Time: UTC/GMT +2 hours
- Driving side: Right
- Main Electricity: 230 V
- Official Language: Greek
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Chania
- The old harbour dates from the 14th century. It is surrounded by a p lined with seafood eateries and cafés; it is bustling with visitors in the summer and utterly enchanting at night.
- Wandering through the maze of narrow, pedestrian-only streets in Chania's historic old town is one of the best things to do.
- One of the most excellent views of the old port and Chania's old town may be had by strolling along the Venetian seawall to the 19th-century lighthouse.
- The Maritime Museum, located across the channel from the lighthouse, chronicles Crete's centuries-long relationship with the sea, beginning with the Minoans and continuing through the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods to the German invasion of the island during WWII.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Chania
- The climate in Chania is the Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers and mild winters.
- The best time to visit Chania if you want to catch some rays is between June and September.
- July is the hottest month of the year, with average daily highs of 32°C and lows of 22°C.
- January is the coldest month of the year, with an average daily maximum of 14 degrees Celsius and a low of 7 degrees Celsius.
- January is the wettest month, with 60 mm of rain falling over five days.
- From June to October, you should be able to enjoy the beach with sea temperatures of 23 C or higher.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Chania
Old Port
- The old harbour was built in the fourteenth century. It is encircled by a promenade lined with seafood restaurants and cafés, packed with visitors in the summer and utterly charming at night.
- You'll pass by the small mosque built by the Ottoman Turks after they conquered Chania in 1645 as you walk east of the old harbour.
- Beyond the mosque are the arsenals, where the Venetians rebuilt their galleys, and a yachting marina.
- A breakwater, built by an Egyptian architect in 1839 and looking eerily like a minaret, guards the entire stretch of coast.
- The Maritime Museum is located across the water from the lighthouse.
Old Town
- Wandering through the maze of narrow, pedestrian-only streets in Chania's historic old town is one of the best things to do.
- Around every corner, you'll notice a different architectural style.
- Cute restaurants and cafés are hidden away in shady patios, while souvenir shops line the streets and stairwells.
- You'll come across four distinct areas as you walk around, each with its look and feel: Kastelli is a hilly, old town with winding, narrow streets.
- When passing through a crowd of tourists, it's often impossible to pass. Topanas is close to the old port and has narrow streets.
- The broader streets of the Jewish District make it easy to spot.
- The Splantzia District has the most outdoor cafés and restaurants, mostly clustered around a massive plane tree in front of St. Nicolas Church.
Maritime Museum of Crete
- Across the channel from the lighthouse, this museum tells the story of Crete's centuries-long association with the water, beginning with the Minoans and continuing through the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish periods until the German invasion of the island in WWII.
- The collection spans two floors and includes video presentations, incredible ship models, paintings, photos, and nautical equipment.
- It's in a lovely red building built by the Venetians and used as a prison at the western corner of the old harbour.
- The Minoa, a reconstructed 15th-century BC Minoan ship, can be seen at the Moro dock in one of the Venetian arsenals east of the old harbour.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Chania Off the Beaten Track
Splantzia
- Splantzia is a neighbourhood in Chania's old city and one of the best if you want to be close to everything.
- It's full of restaurants, boutiques, and historic buildings, and despite the crowds of tourists, it has a peaceful, calm vibe.
- It wasn't always like this, though. Splantzia was once a run-down neighbourhood in the city that saw a lot of violence.
- Greek Christians were tortured and executed on the Splantzia tree in the centre of town during the Ottoman occupation.
- However, thanks to a recent makeover, this area is now a popular bohemian hangout for tourists and locals alike.
- If you like to wander and discover hidden corners of a city, this is the best neighbourhood in Chania to stay in.
- It's full of peaceful cafes and hidden gems that only the locals and the adventurous know about.
- This neighbourhood is a mash-up of all the cultures passed through Chania, as evidenced by the food, local culture, and peaceful streets.
Nea Hora
- Nea Hora provides Chania lodging that is less expensive than the city centre but still close enough to everything to be helpful.
- This neighbourhood is right on the beach so that you can enjoy the sun and sand, and it's also close to the city centre and all of its attractions.
- If you want the best of both worlds, this is the place to stay in Chania!
- Nea Hora has a lot to offer in restaurants, cafes, and boutiques as a beach destination.
- Tourists adore the attractions here so that they can get quite crowded, especially during peak season.
06
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
CULTURE & TRADITIONS
Chania Culture and Traditions
- Chania is one of the few places where so many different civilisations have left their imprint.
- The unique cultural mosaic of Chania includes ancient Greek ruins dating from the Minoan to the Classical era, Byzantine monuments, Venetian castles and monasteries, buildings and mosques from the Turkish and Egyptian periods, as well as contemporary monuments.
- Cultural features include the Tombs of Venizeli, the construction of Chania's Municipal Market, Splantzia, the Venetian Port, the Santrivani, and others.
- Religious monuments such as the Dominican Temple of Agios Nicholaos, Agios Rokkos, the Virgin Mary of Miracles, the Cathedral of Chania, and other modern churches and monasteries adorn the town. They are all part of the region's culture.
- Ancient Irtakina, Eliros, and the ruins of ancient Kydonia are just a few of the excavation sites whose findings are on display at the Chania Archaeological Museum and other museums.
- All of the invaders who passed through Chania built their castles, the ruins of which provide insight into the culture of the time.
- From Turkish castles to Byzantine bastions and Venetian walls, everyone wanted to preserve Chania's beauty as much as possible.
07
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Chania: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
Exeretiko Partheno Eleolado Selino Kritis
#food
- The province of Selinos, where this oil is produced, is located in the Hania prefecture on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete, which is the largest and most populous.
- The extra virgin olive oil Exeretiko Partheno Eleolado Selino Kritis (commonly known as simply 'Selinou') is made from Tsounati (at least 60%) and Koroneiki olives (40 per cent at most).
- Koroneiki and Tsounati olives are harvested at different times. Koroneiki is picked in November and December, while Tsounati is harvested in December and January.
- The colour of the olive's skin is used to measure its degree of ripeness; it is considered ripe when the skin colour has changed from greenish-yellow to dark purple, and at least half of the flesh is a dark violet colour.
Zoumero
#food
- Zoumero is a luxurious and rich Greek chocolate cake that originated in Chania.
- Flour, baking powder, eggs, vanilla, and cocoa powder make the cake.
- The cake is topped with a cool syrup made of milk, sugar, butter, and chocolate after being baked.
- It is then allowed to cool before being served. When zoumero is served, it is usually topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- This cake has become a mainstay in most local restaurants throughout the years.
- The word zoumero refers to the cake's moist feel after the chocolate syrup has been drizzled down through it.
Anthogalo
#food
- Anthogalo is a creamy fior di latte cheese from Crete that Polyphemus invented, according to legend.
- When the sheep's milk begins to boil, yoghurt and rennet are added, and the mixture is stirred together with a wooden spoon.
- When milk is boiled, the fraction that rises to the top is filtered through cheesecloth and dried in a chilly, well-ventilated, dark environment.
- The cheese is placed in a container and refrigerated after a few days. Anthogalo has a creamy, buttery, and spreadable texture.
Memorabilia
#Fashion
- Memorabilia is located in Chania's Old Town.
- It's a concept store where you can sip coffee while learning about Crete through locally sourced organic products and Cretan cosmetics made with organic oil or avocado.
- Memorabilia also has a variety of Modern Greek souvenirs to offer and a variety of other gift ideas from Greek designers.
- Memorabilia's collections stand out because of their modern range, smart design, and unique concept.
Aria Concept Store
#Fashion
- Aria Concept Store is a gallery space in Chania's Old Port on Crete, one of Greece's most beautiful islands.
- The shop features the best of Greece's traditional and modern art, including fine art, decorative art, photography, prints, and books.
- All these pieces are available every year.
Baladinos
#Fashion
- Since 1928, the Baladinos family has made a name for itself in cheese production, producing high-quality products in a rapidly expanding business that honours Greek tradition.
- Today, the company's fourth-generation continues to meet rising demand by offering a wide range of traditional Cretan cheese products that are distinct in taste and quality.
Limnoupolis Water Park
#fun
- Limnoupolis offers the ultimate entertainment experience, combining the thrills of an amusement park with other fun activities for the whole family.
- You've come to the right place if you're looking for a fun day out in Chania.
- We've been providing a safe, fun-filled environment with excellent food and a lively atmosphere since 1997.
- Come on over and get ready to have some fun!
Acqua Plus Water Park
#fun
- Watercity is by far the most popular water park on the island of Crete, with over 100,000 satisfied visitors each year.
- A pleasant drive along the island's north coast leads to Heraklion and the island's east side.
- Watercity, Crete's largest water park, is located near the village of Anopoli, which is perched on a mountaintop.
- A day of excitement on the many thrilling "slides," but you can also swim, play various water games, relax, and enjoy the sun in and around the many pools or on a sunbed in Watercity's lush, beautiful park.
08
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Chania: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- Samaria Gorge National Park, a dramatic feature of Crete's landscape, is a popular tourist destination and a protected biosphere reserve known for housing the extremely rare kri-kri goats.
- Every year, nearly 200,000 people walk through the famous gorge of the national park, which begins at an altitude of 1,250 meters (4,100 feet) and ends on the Libyan sea's shores.
- Start your hike as early in the day as possible to avoid the worst of the crowds. Because you can't camp in the gorge, you'll have to complete the 16-kilometre (9-mile) hike in one day.
- Using our Sfakia trip planner, put Samaria Gorge National Park at the top of your list of places to visit.
- Lake Kournas is Crete's only freshwater lake, surrounded by mountains.
- Take a walk around the 3.5-kilometre (2.2-mile) perimeter to see what marine life you can find.
- Ducks, eels, water snakes, and diamondback terrapins inhabit the lake, a protected wetland.
- Bird-watching is also popular here, thanks to the presence of herons and cormorants. Relax in the sun, go swimming, or rent a paddleboat to explore the lake.
- Stop by one of the lakeside tavernas for some traditional Cretan specialities if you feel hungry.
- Use our Kournas route planning tool to visit Lake Kournas on your trip to Kournas.
09
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Chania Must-Attend Festivals and Events
- Easter is the most important Christian celebration for the Greek Orthodox Church.
- During Holy Week, some of the most exquisite songs of Eastern liturgical music are heard.
- Judas is a scarecrow constructed of straw and old clothes that rides a donkey through the hamlet on Holy Saturday morning, making people laugh and handing out "kaltsounia" (cheese-pie) and sweets. On Holy Saturday at midnight, the same scarecrow is burned in a large fire, symbolising the traitor's awful end.
- After the service, the Vamos Cultural Society gives free food and wine to other residents. This also marks the end of the 40-day fast that precedes Easter.
- "Panigyria" refers to the celebrations of a Saint that take place in rural Greece.
- They've always been a great way to socialise in the villages, and there's always live traditional music playing.
- The following are the most important ones in Vamos and the surrounding area.
- Manolis Troulos of Vamos hosts a traditional "panigyri" on the 25th of July, the day before the celebration of "Agia Paraskevi" (Holy Friday), at "Pigadia," one of Vamos' most picturesque locations, with plenty of food, wine, and dancing.
- The money is put towards a variety of projects that are required in this area. It is an absolute must-see!
- In the Western Church, the day of "Agio Pnevma" (Holy Spirit) is analogous to Pentecost. Because Easter determines the date, it varies from year to year.
- This is the day when Father Spyros hosts a "panigyri" for all of the villages, complete with food, wine, and dancing.
- The traditional "pilafi," rice boiled in lamb juice, is a must-have!
- The "Jazz in July" festival takes place in July in Vamos and is managed by the "Vamos-Art and Thought" corporation, mostly organising cultural events.
- It is a high-culture festival in which the most important Greek jazz performers and jazz musicians from around the world perform their music.
- It is one of Greece's few jazz festivals, contributing to its popularity.
- And nothing beats some excellent jazz music on a hot July night!
FAQs to Plan Your Best Chania Holiday
Places similar to Chania to visit
Places similar to Chania to visit
Places similar to Chania to visit