CHANIA TRAVEL GUIDE

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AREAS

Chania

The town of Chania is the capital of the Prefecture and has about 54,000 inhabitants. The town is built on the remains of the ancient town of Kydonia. It has withstood many invasions by the Romans, the Arabs (Moors), Venetians, Turks and Germans making it a crossroads for different cultures each leaving their stamp on the town with various architectural styles, forts, walls, churches and monasteries. Within the old town area of renovated old houses is the Venetian harbour and fort.

The town has its airport at Akrotiri and its main port is at Souda. The town boasts a large covered market built in 1913 in the form of a cross, copying the style of one in Marseilles.

A lively town combining Cretan traditions with today’s Europe.

Souda

The port town of Souda is 7 km east of Chania with a population of about 6,500. Located on the southern side of a large gulf created by the Akrotiri peninsula, it is considered to be the largest natural safe harbour of the Mediterranean Sea. The small islet located at the mouth of the gulf creates a natural breakwater for stormy seas. The Port has regular sailings to and from Piraeus as well as other routes.

There are many sights to be seen at Souda some of which include the fort, built by the Venetians in 1205 to protect the area from pirate invasions, the archaeological site of Aptera which is only 10 km away and the British War Cemetery which is located in the centre of the bay.

Kalives

The small picturesque seaside village of Kalives is located at the entrance to the gulf of Souda, 20 km from Chania. Its name is believed to have originated from the Moors who invaded the area in 828B.C. and built huts to live in. The village is split in two by the Xydes River flowing through it to the sea, a source of coolness in the hot summer.

Georgioupoli

The small resort town of Georgioupoli is located 37 km east of Chania. The town is built on the banks of the Almyrou River in a luscious green environment and close by are the ruins of the ancient town Amfimala.

The sandy beach is 10 km long and offers a variety of organised sea sports.

Kournas

The village of Kournas is located on the borders between the Chania and Rethymnon Prefectures at the lower reaches of the Lefka Ori mountain range. The village is about 45 km from Chania and overlooks the largest natural lake of the island surrounded by green countryside. Swimming is permitted in the lake.

Platanias

Platanias is a seaside resort village on the north coast 11 km from Chania. The long sandy beach is very popular with locals and tourists alike.

Sfakia

Hora Sfakion is located 75 km south east of Chania on the southern coastline, a small village with a rich and colourful history and tradition. Famed as the birthplace of brave warriors, this has been underlined even in recent history as the German occupying forces were never able to enter and control this community.

The area has a wild natural beauty with the gorges of Samaria, Imbros, Aradenas in close proximity. There is a 15/16th century fort, the Monastery of the Thymniani Madonna and the Daskaloyianni Cave, which can only be reached by kayak.

Paleohora

The fishing village of Paleohora has recently become a popular seaside resort located on the south coast of Crete 74 km from Chania. Historically the village is built upon the ruins of the ancient town of Kalamidi. The ruins of the Venetian Selino Castelli extend into the Libyan Sea. The village has a sandy beach with crystal clear waters within an exotic environment.

Gavdos

The island of Gavdos is the southernmost point of Europe and is 22 nautical miles south of Hora Sfakion. The island has a rich historical past due to its strategic position in the Libyan Sea.

In recent years it has become a popular destination for visitors wishing to enjoy its natural beauty and golden sandy beaches. Access is by boat from Hora Sfakion, Paleohora or Agia Roumeli.