Car Hire Chania - Mini guide to Chania
Chania is nestled on one of Greece’s most beautiful islands, Crete. With spectacular coastlines, bordered by the famous White Mountains, Chania offers easy access to an area rich in natural beauty and history.
The Venetian’s long occupation left its mark on Chania. The 16th century Fortress of Firkas is a mine of architectural wonder and is the town’s most visited site. Open from May to October, when the river is low, the famous gorge of Samaria, recently declared a National Park, is similarly popular.
Chania’s old town has many attractions. On foot from Topana District, the interesting Naval Museum offers fine views of the Venetian harbour, its entrance marked by a striking 16th century lighthouse. The acropolis of Kydonia lies to the east, as does the old Splatzia neighbourhood - famous for its many churches, in particular the Church of Agion Anargiron. Nearer the Central Market are Chania's municipal gardens and Crete's Historical Archives.
The first cafeterias on the harbour open early and you can smell freshly baked Cretan bougatsas throughout town. Chania’s Central Market, set in an elegant neo-classical building, opens its doors early; be sure to visit the famous ‘Retan’ knives workshops. In the evenings, many restaurants and bars offer excellent seafood and other Greek specialties.
Taking a trip outside of the city walls and along the coastline is particularly rewarding. Elafonissi is an uninhabited islet joined to Crete by a shallow reef and offers endless sandy beaches, rock pools and calm seas. Sougia is another picturesque beach with fine pebbles and deep water, perfect for snorkelling.
Arriving from within or outside of Europe, the Eleutherios Venizelos International Airport in Athens is the most convenient, where several daily flights (duration: 1 hour) depart to Chania. By sea, a nightly ferry departs from Athen’s Piraeus Port to the Harbour of Souda (10 hours) located a few kilometres from Chania and frequently serviced by public bus.
