From Wikitravel

Chania (Greek Χανιά, also transliterated Hania) is a beautiful Venetian port town on the north west coast of Crete, with hints of Turk never far. Highly livable spot.

[edit] Get in

The city is served by Chania International Airport (IATA code: CHQ) on the Akrotiri Peninsula. The airport is named after Daskalogiannis, a Sfakiot hero who was skinned by the Turks in the 18th century.

There are several flights a day from Athens to Chania, with Aegean Airlines and Olympic Airlines. From April to early November, there are many direct charter flights to Chania from the UK, Germany, Scandinavia and other European countries.

[edit] By Ferry

Ferry services from Athens (Piraeus port) to Chania (Hania) Crete island

Visit www.Ferries.gr and search through all ferry schedules to/from Chania and the rest of the Crete island.

[edit] Get around

If you are on Crete to see the 'real Crete', as opposed to the night clubs for tourists, then visiting the villages of the island is a must. All Cretan culture can be seen, heard and tasted in the villages. The Cretans at work or at leisure will always welcome visitors and show you how to do things the correct way. All villages have a central kafenion (coffee shop) which is where all people eventually end up. The kafenion, apart from being a place to meet friends for a coffee, raki or a game of tavli, is used as the main information centre of the village. Be aware, however, that the kafenion is still very much a male dominion and women are generally not welcome inside (as opposed to a kafeteria or regular cafe). Most villages have war memorials and the locals will willingly fill in any missing information. Gavalohori has a wonderful Folklore Museum where much about village life can be learned.

[edit][add listing] See

There are many fascinating remnants of the Venetians' occupation, including a fortress and arsenals, as well as that of the Turks, including a mosque.

Samaria gorge is an easy and popular day trip from here.

The Archaeological Museum of Hanja is well worth a visit!

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Mike's in Maleme, 17 km west from Chania. Are still all the foods home made cooking .

• Pinaleon in El.Venizelou. Good tavern with tasty food from the cretan cuisine with low prices.

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Many places to sleep in the city of Chania and near Chania, from hostels to 5 star hotels. The historical backstreets by the old harbor in Chania are full of old Venetian houses that have been renovated into hotels, some of which are very well priced with a unique atmosphere, friendly proprietors and, obviously, an excellent location. However, most of these are not advertised online, so unless you are going at the peak season (June-August), consider not making a reservation and shopping for accommodation once there. You will likely find yourself happily surprised.

Hotels inside Chania City:

• Iro Apartments, 36 K. Paleologu Street, TEL./FAX: (0030)2821074269, [1]. Charming, small hotel combining vicinity to the centre of Chania and the old town (within 900 m) as well as the sandy beach of Nea Hora (30 m away). Great atmosphere; makes you feel like a member of the family...

• Hotel Helena - Lovely hotel, very reasonable prices in the off-season (One traveler paid a total of €40/night for a triple in April; the prices listed are somewhat more at €35/n for a single and €55/n for a double), with a very friendly and chatty proprietor who was always available to provide advice or assistance. Just two streets down from the waterfront. An excellent find.

• Ontas Traditional Hotel Chania, Epimenidou and Ikarou, +30 28210-27691, [2] - in the old town of Chania.

• Vilelmine Hotel, 32 Betolo St., +30 2821 0 46048, [3]. Quaint, clean, centrally located in the Old Town of Chania.

Outside Chania city:

• Aneexe Apartments, New Kydonia - Chania - Crete - Greece, TEL./FAX: (0030)6948634488, The 5 apartments are located in Daratsos, New Kydonia, only 4 km from Chania and 1,2 km from the beach in one of the most beautiful spots of the Crete Island. From here you can make some very nice tours and discover Crete by bus or car or boat....

• Frideriki Studios & Apartments [4] - in the village of Platanias

• Mike Hotel & Apartments [5] - in the village of Maleme

• Sunrise Studios Chania [6] - in the village of Kalathas

• Corissia Group Hotels [7] in Chania Georgioupolis Crete.

[edit] Get out

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