What can anyone say about Chania? A masterpiece of Venetian and Ottoman Architecture, whose history is lost in the depths of centuries! Wonderful beaches, interesting sights and Cretan hospitality at its best.
A few words about the city
Chania is a city in northwestern Crete and the capital of the homonymous prefecture. The name of the city is attributed to the Saracen Arabs, who conquered Crete in 823. In the wider area of Kydonia there was the "Alchania commune" from the name of the god Hephaestus (Vulcanus). The Arabs preserved this easy-to-pronounce name, confusing it with their own Al Hanim (=the Hani). Occupying an area of approximately thirteen square kilometers, it is the second largest city on the island after Heraklion and the seventeenth in all of Greece! Today it has 108,642 residents in the city and another 43,000 in the suburbs, which have been incorporated into the municipality of Chania. Of course, Chania is world-famous for its crystal-clear beaches, beautiful old town, wonderful sights and delicious local cuisine. Come and get to know them.
10) Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is undoubtedly the most famous and longest hiking gorge in Europe, with a total length of 18 kilometers. It is located in the southern part of the prefecture of Chania, with most of it falling under the municipality of Sfakia, and has been declared a national park to protect its rare flora and fauna. If you are a hiking enthusiast, then this particular place will excite you. So, approximately 6-8 hours of walking await you, depending on your pace, amidst a pristine natural landscape of unique beauty, which you will not be able to stop staring at. The entrance costs 5e.
9) Elafonisi
Elafonisi is located in western Crete, about 75 kilometers southwest of Chania and features on many lists of the most beautiful places in the world. It is a small island that is just 200 meters from the coast and between them there is a shallow lagoon. In fact, when the weather is good, it is possible to reach it by walking across the shallow waters that separate it from mainland Crete. Elafonisi in Greek means deer island, but you will not see any deer walking on the island or in the surrounding area. It is a protected nature reserve, designated as a landscape of special natural beauty and a Natura area along with the opposite coast.
8) Neoria
In Neoria, the ships of the powerful Venetian fleet were repaired during the winter. The southern complex was completed in 1599, with the construction of seventeen dockyards, while in 1607 the construction of five more dockyards began on the eastern side of the harbor, however, only two of them were completed. Today, seven of the seventeen dockyards still survive. In their original form, they were open to the sea, while the ceilings are arched, and are connected by arched openings of the same thickness as the walls. Finally, in the area there is also the Great Arsenal, the last and largest building on the western side, its construction began in 1585 by the General Commissioner Alvise Grimani and today it is home to the Mediterranean Center of Architecture as well as events and exhibitions that are often hosted there.
7) Falassarna- Balos
The unique beach of Falassarna is located 59 km west of Chania and is one of the most famous beaches in Greece. It is considered by many to be the best beach in Crete and one of the 10 best in Europe, having even won several awards! It extends over a very large area and essentially consists of 5 consecutive beaches, with the most beautiful, of course, being Pahia Ammos. However, in addition to the idyllic landscape, with crystal clear waters and light-colored sand, in the area there are some ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Falassarna. If you came to Falassarna about 2,000 years ago you would have seen a famous port and a rich city with impressive temples and imposing walls! Finally, the entire surrounding area has been included in the Natura 2000 plans, due to the variety of flora and fauna, but also due to its special natural beauty.
Another famous beach in the prefecture of Chania is called Balos and is 56 kilometers from the city. It is the most photographed beach in Crete, being the protagonist of hundreds of postcards and magazine covers worldwide. One look is enough to realize that the Balos lagoon is not just a beach, but a masterpiece of nature that you can't help but love! Its green shallow waters, combined with the fine-grained sand create a unique setting. Of course, during the summer months it is very crowded, so I would suggest visiting it very early in the morning or late in the afternoon if you want to enjoy it!
6) Museums
In Chania there are many interesting museums and art spaces that will attract your attention. In my opinion, it is worth starting with the Archaeological Museum, which is located in the center of the old town and hosts the archaeological collection of the prefecture of Chania. Finds such as ceramic vessels, lithography, seal engraving, jewelry, coins, etc., form in an understandable way the picture that one can get about the history of western Crete!
Also, don't miss a visit to the Maritime Museum of Crete, which includes paintings, historical photographs, ship models, various nautical instruments and devices, etc., as well as the Municipal Gallery, with its rich collection of paintings.
Finally, other interesting museums in the city are the Folklore Museum and the Byzantine-Post-Byzantine Collection of Chania.
5) Halepa-Tabakaria
The Halepa district is a quiet, beautiful and historic suburb of Chania, which during its heyday in the past, was the most eclectic part not only of the city, but of the whole of Crete. It was home to the wealthiest people of the area, mainly merchants, and for many decades it was more of a “small town within the city” than a simple district. With sights such as the house of Eleftherios Venizelos, the Church of Saint Magdalene, and Tabakaria, this unique district offers you today the opportunity to get in touch with everyday life in Chania, as it was more than a century ago.
Tabakaria is a very special part of this district. In contrast to the aristocratic atmosphere of Halepa, it was for about two centuries the place where all the tanneries of the city of Chania were located. The choice of location was ideal because it was only a few minutes away from the city of Chania and was next to the sea, since sea water was essential for the processing of leather. Few tanneries still operate as they used to, but a visit to the area is worth it to admire the unique architectural ensemble formed by these now abandoned buildings.
4) Venizelos Tombs – Prophet Elias Church
The Venizelos Tombs are located a few kilometers outside the eastern side of the city, on the road to the airport. They are the tombs of the charismatic Greek politician and seven-time Prime Minister of Greece Eleftherios Venizelos and his son Sophocles Venizelos, who served as Prime Minister of Greece for short periods in the mid-20th century. The park where the tombs are located is idyllic with a pine forest and panoramic views of the city of Chania, which makes it one of the main attractions of the city.
In the same location you will also find the historic Temple of Prophet Elias! Initially, during the Venetian period, the church of the Prophet Elias was built, while in the mid-16th century, the second one, the Church of the Prophet Elias, was erected, and a communication opening was created in the original northern arched wall between the two churches. The church was destroyed during the bombardment of the hill in 1897 by the Great Powers, but it was restored at the expense of the Tsar of Russia, who considered that the explosion of a cannon on the Russian flagship was the punishment of the Prophet Elias for the destruction of his church. It was later renovated, resulting in its original form being altered.
3) Municipal Market - Church of the Three Martyrs
The Municipal Market is considered one of the most important new monuments of the city of Chania and is classified as a listed building. This architectural gem was built in 1913 on the Venetian fortress Piatta Forma, in the middle of the walls of the then city and occupies an area of 4,000 sqm! In essence, it was a serious intervention of modernization and unification of the old with the new city, while the inauguration of this great project was made by the then Prime Minister of Greece El. Venizelos! Since then, except for a short period during the Occupation when it was used by the Germans as a concentration camp, it has been operating continuously as a food market!
Very close to the Municipal Market, you will find the Cathedral of Chania, known as the Church of the Three Martyrs. It is considered one of the main churches of the island of Crete and its history begins in the 14th century. Much later, during the years of Turkish rule, in 1645, the church was converted into a soap factory, but without changing its layout. When the soap factory business went bankrupt, the then owner Mustafa, gave the space to the Christian Community who asked him to rebuild the church. The construction of the church was completed in 1860 in the form of a three-aisled basilica in neoclassical style, with a tall bell tower on the north-west side of the church. Sculptures, cornices and arched openings were used in the design of the facade, while the interior of the church is decorated with works by famous Greek artists. Finally, in the cathedral square there is a monument dedicated to the Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras.
2) Venetian Port
The Venetian Port of Chania with the Egyptian Lighthouse is the largest of the other two ports of the same era, Heraklion and Rethymno. A walk through, it is one of the most beautiful experiences in Chania, as the entire area is a living Venetian monument. There you will find small shops to buy your souvenirs, cafes and many taverns to enjoy your nights in an idyllic environment.
1) Old Town
At the top of the list is the old town of Chania, which is located next to the city’s port and within the Venetian Walls. Although it was bombed and burned several times in its long history, it is considered one of the most beautiful and well-preserved cities in the Mediterranean! With its picturesque, narrow alleys and different architectural styles, Venetian, Ottoman and Jewish, of all those who have passed through the island, the Old Town of Chania is a place of impressive contrasts, but also of extraordinary harmony that is waiting for you to discover it.
How to go
The easiest and most economical way to get to Crete and Chania is by plane. Thessaloniki is connected to Chania and Ioannis Daskalogiannis International Airport via Ryanair, where with proper planning you can find tickets starting at €24 round trip! From there you can also reach the city by boat from the port of Piraeus with a direct route or by stopping in Heraklion.
What to eat
The Cretan diet, an important part of the island's culture, is based on local, pure and simple raw materials such as virgin olive oil, vegetables, legumes, wild herbs as well as meat, fish and seafood. Some of the traditional dishes worth trying are kalitsounia with spinach, fennel or wild herbs, Sfakian pies, meat pies, snails cooked in various recipes, Chaniot boureki, gamopilafo, spaghetti with cream cheese or ofto (roasted) goat, apaki or syglino (smoked pork), country sausages as well as fresh fish and seafood. You will accompany them with wild greens, ntako (Cretan rusk with tomato, oregano, feta and olive oil) and dairy products such as Cretan gruyere, mizithra and staka (cream made from fresh milk). You will definitely enjoy xerotigana, which is also the traditional dessert for weddings. And, of course, you will clink your glasses with tsikoudia, the drink-symbol of the Cretans. You will also find local wines, local beers and soft drinks.
If this article seemed interesting or contributed to your quality information, then you can like my facebook page: o_thessalonikios or follow me on instagram!
Mouzakidis Pantelis
