Chania (Greek Χανιά, also transliterated Hania or even Khania) is a beautiful port town on the northwest coast of Crete, with an atmosphere reflecting its Venetian and Turkish past. Highly livable spot.
Chania and the long row of beach resorts stretching 20 km west along the beaches of the Chania Bay is a well visited destination for Scandinavian charter trips. Chania is an attractive destination for sightseeing and shopping for many tourists. There are plenty of opportunities for eating and drinking at Greek tavernas and modern cafés that are open into the night.
The old town is centred around the harbour, a maze of alleys and houses that stood for hundreds of years, were rebuilt, ruined and rebuilt again with details from different epochs. Old Town is full of souvenir, art and crafts shops. The new quarters house the regular span of shops, where you can find most of your needs for hiking and other adventures. The beaches begin not far from Old Town, the nearest one being Nea Hora, a 1 km walk from the west end of Old Town.
Summer season (April to October) is hot and dry with clear skies. Dry, hot days are often relieved by a seasonal breeze from the north, Meltemi. There are occasional heat waves. Winters are mild with relatively little rain and rare frosts but with a high level of humidity that drops the relative temperature.
- Etz Hayyim Synagogue, Parados Kondylaki, 730 11, Hania, Crete, Hellas (GR) (The synagogue can be reached by walking up Kondylaki Street from the harbour and taking the second turn to the right (also check the map icon below). This street is only about 25 m long and leads to a cross street with no other exits. Upon reaching that intersection, the stone wall and entrance to the courtyard of the synagogue are directly in front of you., +30 28210 862 86. 10:00-18:00. Until 1999 Etz Hayyim was a house of prayer that remained the sole Jewish monument on Crete after the destruction of Crete's Jewish community in 1944. Essentially it stood as a monument to the success of the Nazis in obliterating 2,300 years of Jewish life on Crete. Between 1996 and the year of its rededication in 1999, the structure was painstakingly restored. The philosophy that directed this work is summed up in the Hebrew Am Israel Hayy: 'The people of Israel live'. Until recently it was still mentioned on the World Monument Fund's list of most endangered sites. 2€ (suggested).
- Stroll around old town and old Venetian harbour.
- The Archaeological Museum of Hania is well worth a visit.
- Samaria Gorge is an easy and popular day trip from here.
- Maleme village, Old national road Chania Kissamos (15 km after Chania town. See the German cemetery on Kaukales hill at Maleme, the historical airport battlefield, the beach of Gerani where the sea turtle Caretta caretta is preserved.
- The beautiful Elafonissi beach is reachable by bus (one per day, 9am, 11€ each way). KTEL company.
- Visit the beautiful Balos beach from the nearby town of Kissamos, which can be reached by bus.
Etz Hayyim Synagogue, Parados Kondylaki, 730 11, Hania, Crete, Hellas (GR) (The synagogue can be reached by walking up Kondylaki Street from the harbour and taking the second turn to the right (also check the map icon below). This street is only about 25 m long and leads to a cross street with no other exits. Upon reaching that intersection, the stone wall and entrance to the courtyard of the synagogue are directly in front of you., +30 28210 862 86. 10:00-18:00. Until 1999 Etz Hayyim was a house of prayer that remained the sole Jewish monument on Crete after the destruction of Crete's Jewish community in 1944. Essentially it stood as a monument to the success of the Nazis in obliterating 2,300 years of Jewish life on Crete. Between 1996 and the year of its rededication in 1999, the structure was painstakingly restored. The philosophy that directed this work is summed up in the Hebrew Am Israel Hayy: 'The people of Israel live'. Until recently it was still mentioned on the World Monument Fund's list of most endangered sites. 2€ (suggested).
The Archaeological Museum of Hania is well worth a visit.
Maleme village, Old national road Chania Kissamos (15 km after Chania town. See the German cemetery on Kaukales hill at Maleme, the historical airport battlefield, the beach of Gerani where the sea turtle Caretta caretta is preserved.
Olives, olive oil and honey are some of the many products of excelent quality in Chania.
- Mpourakis in Kounoupidiana presents delicious traditional cuisine. From Kounoupidiana centre take the road on the right go towards Stavros, 100 m on the right side.
- The Roadhouse Bar & Grill, Kounoupidiana, Akrotiri (Go 7km east on Leoforos Venezelos (Main Road) out of Hania towards the Akrotiri Peninsula., +30 28210 64072. Everyday 19:00. Is a bar & grill serving cheeseburgers and chili. The owners speak fluent English, Bulgarian and German. Has Karaoke. $$.
- Mike's in Maleme, 17 km west from Chania. Home-style cooking .
- Pinaleon in El.Venizelou. Good tavern which serves tasty Cretan cuisine.
- Theo Restaurant, Paparigopoulou & Nikolaou Xilouri, 99 (2 km out of Chania, on Parigoria Hill, +30 2821093733, +30 6979151577. 18:30. A new restaurant serving traditional Greek and Cretan dishes. The food is very fresh with very large portions. Their patio seating has fantastic views of the sea and city. 6-12.
- The Well of the Turk, Kallinikou Street 1-3 (Olde Town, historic Turkish district of Splanzia (Rouga Sq), +30 2821054547. Dinner until late. The cooking is excellent, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming, The inside rooms are perfect for cooler evenings. Previous winner of Gourmet's award for the best ethnic food in Crete for the last two years. Open daily for dinner except Tuesdays. Moderate.
- Gramboussa, Gramboussa Kissamou (Kaliviani. Traditional Cretan cuisine in quiet surroundings. Moderate.
- Restaurant Kariatis, Katechaki Square, Chania (Next to the Arsenali, Old Harbour, +30 28210 55600. Daily 18:00-midnight. Situated among the beautiful Venetian ruins of Chania old harbour. Open for dinner all year round. 12-30 euros.
- Italian Restaurant Zafferano, Platanias - opposite the Minoa Palace Hotel (14 km west of Chania situated on the old coast road., +30 28210 38180-1. May-Oct daily 18:00-midnight. Stylish Italian restaurant set on a beautifully decorated, spacious roof piazza overlooking the coastline of Platanias. Fresh seafood, pasta, risotto, succulent fillet steaks and wood-fired oven pizza. Open every evening in summer for dinner and take-away. 12-30 euros.
Mpourakis in Kounoupidiana presents delicious traditional cuisine. From Kounoupidiana centre take the road on the right go towards Stavros, 100 m on the right side.
The Roadhouse Bar & Grill, Kounoupidiana, Akrotiri (Go 7km east on Leoforos Venezelos (Main Road) out of Hania towards the Akrotiri Peninsula., +30 28210 64072. Everyday 19:00. Is a bar & grill serving cheeseburgers and chili. The owners speak fluent English, Bulgarian and German. Has Karaoke. $$.
Mike's in Maleme, 17 km west from Chania. Home-style cooking .
Pinaleon in El.Venizelou. Good tavern which serves tasty Cretan cuisine.
Theo Restaurant, Paparigopoulou & Nikolaou Xilouri, 99 (2 km out of Chania, on Parigoria Hill, +30 2821093733, +30 6979151577. 18:30. A new restaurant serving traditional Greek and Cretan dishes. The food is very fresh with very large portions. Their patio seating has fantastic views of the sea and city. 6-12.
The Well of the Turk, Kallinikou Street 1-3 (Olde Town, historic Turkish district of Splanzia (Rouga Sq), +30 2821054547. Dinner until late. The cooking is excellent, and the atmosphere is casual and welcoming, The inside rooms are perfect for cooler evenings. Previous winner of Gourmet's award for the best ethnic food in Crete for the last two years. Open daily for dinner except Tuesdays. Moderate.
Gramboussa, Gramboussa Kissamou (Kaliviani. Traditional Cretan cuisine in quiet surroundings. Moderate.
Restaurant Kariatis, Katechaki Square, Chania (Next to the Arsenali, Old Harbour, +30 28210 55600. Daily 18:00-midnight. Situated among the beautiful Venetian ruins of Chania old harbour. Open for dinner all year round. 12-30 euros.
Italian Restaurant Zafferano, Platanias - opposite the Minoa Palace Hotel (14 km west of Chania situated on the old coast road., +30 28210 38180-1. May-Oct daily 18:00-midnight. Stylish Italian restaurant set on a beautifully decorated, spacious roof piazza overlooking the coastline of Platanias. Fresh seafood, pasta, risotto, succulent fillet steaks and wood-fired oven pizza. Open every evening in summer for dinner and take-away. 12-30 euros.
Within reach of a day-trip, but worth longer, are Rethymno (the most charming old town on the island) and Heraklion, the capital city of Crete. To the west, Kissamos is a nice small town.