Chania

Chania, Greece

Chania (pronounced “Hanya”) is considered the loveliest port town in Greece. Swallows soar in sheer blue skies above the semicircle of tall Venetian houses around its picture-perfect Old Harbour. The tables of scores of bars and restaurants line the quayside. Behind the harbour front, narrow, traffic-free shopping lanes thread through the atmospheric Old Town. On either side of the town, sandy beaches stretch along the coast.

Population:

53,910 in the town and 70,000 in the greater Chania area.

Currency:

Euro (EUR) €1 = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Ambulance: 166
Police: 100
Fire Brigade: 199

Opening Hours:

Traditional local shop hours are generally open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 2.30 pm, and also from 5 pm to 8 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Shops catering mainly to tourists are usually open every day of the week from 9 am–10 pm.

Newspapers:

Chaniotika Nea
Minima
Stigmes
Crete Gazette

The City

Chania is Crete’s second largest town and is the lively capital of the western half of this long, narrow Greek island. It is very ancient: 4,000 years ago Chania was called Cydonia. It preserves many handsome signs of a long history as a possession of Venice. The Old Town, alongside the Old Harbour, is enclosed by Venetian ramparts and guarded by a waterside Venetian fortress, Fort Firca.

The modern city centre, just outside the old ramparts, offers the energy and character of a vibrant, authentic Greek town. Here are numerous shops, bars, restaurants and street life that are fun to explore. Chania is the focal point of western Crete’s coastline of small and charming beach resorts. Each resort has its own appeal, and all are just minutes from Chania by car or bus along the seashore highway that runs at the foot of high craggy peaks and rolling foothills green with olive groves.

Do & See

Start with a stroll along the historic harbour, take a glass-bottom boat cruise or go diving to fully experience the magic of this coastal town. The Samaria Gorge trail is a definitive must-do for hikers, and culture vultures will have several small museums to choose from.

Beach Life

The Chania coast is ideal for quiet beach holidays with the family, given its long, narrow sandy strip both west and east of the town. A string of small resorts offers plenty of leisure facilities and tourist infrastructure.

Dining

A multitude of restaurants in Chania's old town, harbour area, and along the coast offer excellent (often al fresco) dining, relaxed and informal. Grilled fish and lamb dishes are specialities, plus vegetable dishes like boureki (courgette, cheese and potato bake) and melitzanokleftedes (aubergine patties). Cooking relies heavily on seasonal ingredients, most taverns specializing primarily in organic, locally sourced produce.