Chania the Magical Venetian Town of Crete
Chania is a mesmerizing town that will enchant you as soon as you set eyes on her. In our captivating article on this beautiful town, you will get an overview on why Chania is one of Crete’s and Greece’s most visited districts!
Whatever time of year you choose to visit Chania, the town will enchant you. The choices are endless, the rich natural landscape unsurpassed, the monuments of culture countless, while especially in summer, the beaches of Chania will enchant you turning you into fanatics.
Arm yourself with strength, because no matter how many days you choose to spend in Chania, it is certain that they will simply not be enough as this area nature’s blessing. Believe us, every corner of Chania deserves attention and admiration!
The people of Chania and the many non-Cretans who have settled here permanently enjoy their charming place. They take walks from one end of the Venetian Port to the other i.e., from the Fortress of Firkas, which houses the Maritime Museum, to the Mosque Küçük Hasan, the Grand Arsenal, which hosts the Center for Mediterranean Architecture and a bunch of interesting exhibitions from time to time. Make a stop at the end of the Akti Enoseos for a coffee at the Chania Sailing Club, overlooking the Egyptian Lighthouse, a trademark of the city (ideally at sunset), or continue to the Koum Kapi.
…And the Walks Continue
Have an appetite for walking? Chania is inexhaustible. Leaving the Venetian Port and entering the alleys of the Old Town, you will see samples of all the civilizations that passed and left their small or large heritage in the place. Venetian buildings dominate almost all corners, but during your walk, you should include both Topanas, the noble Christian neighborhood, and the old Jewish quarter. The area of Splantzia is particularly atmospheric. This is the old Muslim mahala, which in the last decade has become the most favorite hangouts of locals, who enhance the liveliness of the city during the off-season.
In Splantzia be sure to drop by the square 1821, under the historic plane tree and in front of the church of Agios Nikolaos, which with its bell tower on one side and its minaret on the other has an interesting story to tell us. During the Venetian occupation it was the church of Agios Nikolaos in the Dominican Republic, during Turkish occupation it was the central mosque of Chania and it has been operating as an orthodox church since 1918.
Explore the Traditional Aspects Of Chania – Experience by Elissos Travelling Philosophy
Chania is a town where several historical eras come to life as it has influences from the Venetians and the Ottomans. However, in this tour we decided to touch on the rich and turbulent Modern History of Crete, focusing on the 20th Century and its emblematic figures. Visit a traditional village and its Historic and Folk Arts Museum, as well as the impressive Monastery of St. George Karydiou, dating back to the 16th century AD. Moreover, you will also visit a modern olive oil factory. Find out about olive oil production and experience an olive oil tasting. Finally, pass by the beautiful village of Vrises renowned for its Venetian Fountain and lunch at Armeni village.
Art & Culture
Very centrally, opposite the square of the much-photographed Metropolis and on Halidon Street at no. 98, stands the three-story Municipal Gallery of Chania, which hosts several exhibitions over time and many parallel events. A little further down, at no. 28, at the seat of the former Archaeological Museum of Chania, you can visit the Venetian church of St. Francesco. The new museum of the town will soon open its gates in the Chalepa district housing artifacts from all periods from prehistoric to late historical times, including exquisite finds from the Late Neolithic Age and the Bronze Age period. There, you can also visit the famous Mitsotakis collection, most of the exhibits of which are of Cretan origin.
Shopping Time
However, it is not only the Old Town of Chania that is worth your time. Move slightly away from the sea to the borders of the Old and the New Town and even further into the heart of the latter. Enter the Municipal Market which retains some of its old character. Enjoy a fluffy sesame bun and wander without haste for your shopping.
Chania on the Go
Start your day with a local «bougatsa» pastry with mizithra, sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, and with a coffee in hand take a walk in the Municipal Garden for a day full of laughter and fun. If time passes and you are hungry again, the best early lunch of Chania is called Oasis and it is this well-known tiny wrapped skewer that you will find at Voloudakidon Street. The Chania version includes yogurt instead of tzatziki. Don’t miss the famous Chania «kaltsounia» pies with cheese, wild greens, or sweet cream offered at various corners of the town!
Don’t Miss Our Unique Chania Off The Beaten Path Experiences:
Magic Bee World Experience by Elissos Travelling Philosophy
If you want to dive into the fascinating cosmos of bees, our Magic Bee World tour is the one for you! On this exciting tour, you have the opportunity to visit a local apiary. Once you are there, find out about the delicious and ancient history of honey, as well as the process of honey production. Your host for the day is a local beekeeper and honey producer, so you gather up all your questions! and prepare for a very interesting discussion with the expert!
Nature at its Best — Samaria Gorge by Elissos Travelling Philosophy
The visitor of Chania, who will not dedicate a day to cross the Samaria Gorge, will regret it! Hikers from all over the world arrive in Chania especially for this experience, which usually starts from the plateau of Omalos in the White Mountains, in the area of Xyloskalo (1,200 m. altitude) and ends at the seaside village of Agia Roumeli in the south of the prefecture of Chania. The Samaria Gorge is the largest in Greece, with a length of 18 km and its descent lasts from 4 to 7 hours depending on the experience and endurance of hikers.
Flora and Fauna in the Gorge
The wild goats of Crete live there, the Kri-Kri, but also many other species of animals that are not found anywhere else, such as the Cretan badger (arkalos), the Cretan ferret (zourida), the Cretan thornbush, the Cretan weasel (kalogiannou). Vultures, golden eagles make up the forest bird fauna, along with hundreds of other smaller bird species.
There are more than 450 species of gorge flora, many of which are also unique in the world. Therefore, it is forbidden to cut the plants you find in your path. In the middle of the descent, you will find a small Byzantine church located in the middle of it. It was built in 1379 and named Osia Maria — is the church to which the gorge owes its name, but also the village «Samaria», which was built next to and was abandoned by its permanent residents in 1962, with the proclamation of the Samaria National Park.
Exiting the Gorge
The largest width of the gorge of Samaria reaches 150 meters, while its narrowest point is the «Doors» — just before the exit — with a width of 3 meters and a height of 600 meters, where the landscape takes your breath away!
Leaving the gorge, the unique beach of Agia Roumeli awaits you, for a refreshing dip in the waters of the Libyan Sea. The village is not connected by road to other areas, so to leave you will board the ferry and head either to Chora Sfakion or to Sougia and Paleochora, then return by road to the «base» of your vacation.
Chania Nature Experience – by Elissos Travelling Philosophy
An amazing nature experience that will take you from an imposing gorge to an impressive plateau. Hike the Imbros gorge that is in the south of the Chania region and discover the incredible fauna and flora. The ancient Askifou plateau that you will visit used to be a lake. It has been around for over a thousand years. Walk on the remarkable soil and you will learn about the important battles for independence that took place there. Finally, you will enjoy a Cretan lunch with local delicacies overlooking the Libyan Sea.
Places We Love to Dine At
- In Kouzina the people of Chania regularly give their lunch appointment. It closes early in the afternoon and the meals end relatively quickly. So get there early and try out the spaghetti with salmon.
- A little further down, Laganon is recent and serves delicious fresh pasta and pizza. Choose a type of pasta and sauce or one of the dishes of the day suggested by the chef.
- Another restaurant loved by locals and visitors alike is the Tamam. It is housed in a 15th-century Venetian building. Be sure to try Iranian rice, yogurt, and traditional pie from Constantinople.
- The tasteful and relatively new Ginger Concept with a menu that includes international dishes, that are accompanied by an updated wine list of Greek and foreign vineyards.
- Finally, one of our most favorite and totally romantic places to lunch or dine in Chania by the water is Thalasino Ageri seafood restaurant in Tambakaria district. The food is truly amazing, the personnel very friendly, and the setting unique!
Don’t Miss Our Unique Chania Culinary& Wine Experiences:
Traditional Village House Visit & Cheese Making Experience
Your day will start visiting a traditional village house in a small village, in the region of Chania. Surrounded by beautiful olive groves and fruit orchards, you will feel rejuvenated through your contact with nature. Your hosts will take you on a tour to their vegetables and fruits and show you their goats and chicken. After milking the goats on the spot, participate in local cheese making and cheese pies making at their outdoors yard. Summing up your experience, you will enjoy a wonderful family-style light lunch, consisting of different varieties of artisan local cheese, the cheese pies you made, seasonal salads and splendid local wine.
Morning or Afternoon Gastronomy Course
This tour will take you to a traditional village in Chania region, where you will attend an enjoyable Cooking Class in an 18th century Olive Mill! An experienced local cook will let you know, while cooking Cretan specialties, about the olive oil secrets, the legendary Cretan mountain herbs and the best ways to always select fresh and pure ingredients. You will enjoy your dishes with fresh homemade bread and local wine. Your lunch/dinner will be accompanied by music and stories of the past, while you will be seated around an old monastery-style table. Before you kiss your host goodbye, she will give you the recipes you cooked, printed on the paper so you take it with you back home!
The Olive Oil & Wine Experience
This tour takes you through the picturesque villages of Chania, to an organic Olive Oil Factory and Estate. A tour and presentation will introduce you to the process and the stages of the organic extra virgin olive oil production and bottling. Find out all about the traditional ways of stone milled and cold pressed olives and visit the factory installations. An Olive Oil Tasting, paired with local snacks, comes next. At the nearby village of Vouves, visit an Olive Tree Museum, and a 3000-year-old Olive Tree, a true natural monument! Last stop will be at a local winery. Tour the facilities, the vineyards and enjoy a presentation on the local wine making. You will enjoy a wine tasting, paired with Cretan products and a “Meze” platter light lunch.
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