Chania
The ideal destination
Destinations / Crete / Chania
Class | Company Name | Telephone | Destination | Address |
---|---|---|---|---|
L | Atlantica Kalliston Resort & Spa | +30 28210 34400 | Chania | Glaros, 73100 |
L | Avra Imperial Hotel | +30 28240 84500 | Chania | Kolymbari 73006 |
L | Cavo Spada Luxury Sports & Leisure Resort & Spa | +30 28240 22121 | Chania | Rapaniana, 73006 |
L | Euphoria Resort | 30 28244 40500 | Chania | Kolimvari, 73006 |
L | Galini Sea View Hotel | +30 28210 60294 | Chania | Agia Marina, 73100 |
L | Minoa Palace Resort & Spa | +30 28210 36500 | Chania | Platanias, 73014, |
L | Mythos Palace Resort & Spa | +30 28250 61713 | Chania | Georgioupolis, 73007 |
L | Panorama Hotel | +30 28210 31700 | Chania | Kato Galatas, 73110 |
L | Perle Resort Hotel & Health Spa Marine | +30 28210 39400 | Chania | P.O. Box 268 Stavros, 73100 |
L | Pilot Beach Resort | +30 28250 61000 | Chania | Georgioupolis, 73007 |
L | Porto Platanias Beach Resort & Spa | +30 28210 38800 | Chania | Platanias, 73014 |
L | Vantaris Palace | +30 28250 61783 | Chania | Kavros, 73007 |
A | Amalthia Beach Resort | +30 28210 68592 | Chania | Agia Marina, 73100 |
A | Best Western Kalyves Beach Hotel | +30 282 5031285 | Chania | Kalyves Apokoronou, 73003 |
A | Civitel Akali | +30 28210 92872 | Chania | 55 Kissamou str., 73131 |
A | Eliros Mare Hotel | +30 28250 61103 | Chania | Georgioupolis, 730 07 |
A | Grand Bay Beach Resort | +30 28240 83380 | Chania | Kolymbari, 73000 |
A | Ilianthos Village Luxury Hotel & Suites | +30 28210 60667 | Chania | Agia Marina, Platanias, 73014 |
A | Kydon Hotel | +30 28210 52280 | Chania | Sofoklis Venizelou Sq., 731 00 |
A | Louis Creta Princess Aquapark & Spa | +30 28210 62702 | Chania | P.O.Box 9 Maleme, 73014 |
A | Porto Del Colombo Hotel | +30 28210 70945 | Chania | Theofanous & Moschon Corner, 73131 |
A | Santa Marina Plaza Luxury Boutique Hotel | +30 28210 36860 | Chania | Agia Marina, 73014 |
A | Selini Suites | +30 22840 83033 | Chania | Rapaniana, 73006 |
A | Spilia Village Hotel | +30 28240 83300 | Chania | Spilia, 73006 |
A | Thalassa Beach Resort | +30 28210 60660 | Chania | Agia Marina, 73014 |
A | Vantaris Beach Hotel | +30 28250 61135 | Chania | Kavros, 73007 |
B | Irida Hotel | +30 28210 46060 | Chania | 1 El. Venizelou & 8Th December Str., 73133 |
B | Porto Veneziano Hotel | +30 28210 27100 | Chania | Akti Enoseos & Glafkou, 73100 |
Location
Chania is at the westernmost part of the island and occupies an area of nearly 2400 square kilometers. The terrain is mountainous and the vegetation dense with oak, pine and chestnut trees. The steep mountains, home to the famous Gorge of Samaria come down to the sea to form beautiful beaches, like Aghia Roumeli, Sfakia and Sougia. In the north of the Prefecture, protected on three sides by the White Mountains is the large plain of Chania, where olive trees, orange groves and vines grow abundant.
The Prefecture of Chania is at the westernmost part of the island and occupies an area of nearly 2400 square kilometers. The terrain is mountainous and the vegetation dense with oak, pine and chestnut trees. The steep mountains, home to the famous Gorge of Samaria come down to the sea to form beautiful beaches, like Aghia Roumeli, Sfakia and Sougia. In the north of the Prefecture, protected on three sides by the White Mountains is the large plain of Chania, where olive trees, orange groves and vines grow abundant.
Transportation
From Athens there are regular flights to the airport of Souda, situated 15 km outside Chania. One can get to Hania by urban bus, taxi or the Olympic Airways bus. From Thessalonica, there is a weekly flight to the airport of Souda . There are regular boat schedules from Piraeus to Kastelli Kissamou and the port of Souda, situated 7 km southeast of Chania.
History
After the collapse of the Minoan palace culture, Chania grew into one of the island’s most important cities- well enough know for its citizens to warrant a mention in Homer’s Odyssey- and remained so through the classical Greek era. When Rome came in search of conquest the city mounted a stiff resistance prior to its eventual capitulation in 69 BC, after which it flourished once more. In early Christian times, Kydonia was the seat of bishop, and under the protection of Byzantium the city flourished along with the island.
As the Byzantine Empire became increasingly embattled, however, so its further outposts, Kydonia and Crete included, suffered neglect. When the Venetians finally won it back they acted quickly to strengthen the defences, turning the city, renamed La Canea, into a formidable bulwark in the west. In 1645, after a two-month siege with terrible losses, Chania fell to Turks. It was the first major Cretan stronghold to succumb, becoming the Turkish island capital and seat of the pasha. For the rest, it is a history of struggle: for independence during the nineteenth century, then in resistance against the Germans in World War II.
During World War II, Chania suffered severe bombardment, this destruction eventually compounded by a fire, which wiped out almost everything apart from the area around the harbour. In the post-war period, the town was rebuilt and sprawling, traffic-congested suburbs now encircle the ancient core. The arrival of tourism has inspired the will- if not the resources- to save and restore much of the city’s crumbling architectural heritage, and Chania is currently enjoying a period of peace and prosperity unrivalled in its modern history
Sightseeing & Monuments
Chania, as any of its residents will tell you, is the spiritual capital of Crete, even if the title is officially bestowed on Heraclion. Chania, the island’s second-largest city and former capital, is the site of the Minoan settlement of Kydonia, which archaeologists believe was a palace site and an important town. The lovely Venetian quarter of Chania that surrounds the Old Harbour is one of the island’s best attractions. Many old buildings have been restored in recent years, with some of them having been converted into very fine accommodation, while others house chic restaurants, bars and shops. Even though the town itself is beautiful enough to keep a lot of tourists, the best attractions are around it.
One of these is the famous and heavily trekked Samaria gorge. Despite the crowds, a trek through this stupendous gorge is an experience to remember. The 18km-long gorge, the longest in Europe, begins just below the Omalos plateau carved out a river. Its width varies from 3m to 150m and its vertical walls reach 500m at the highest point. The gorge has an incredible number of wildflowers and is also home to a large number of endangered species, including the Cretan wild goat, kri-kri. Others include At 1.5 km S of Chania there is Nerospilia, a cave with stalactites and stalagmites, the monasteries of Yiouvernetos and Aghia Triada at 18 km N of Chania and Frangokastello at Sfakia, 73 km SE of Chania.
Cultural Events

People & Lifestyle

Natural Environment

Sports & Leisure

Nightlife & Entertainment

Gastronomy & Shopping

Conference Facilities
The area of Chania, due to its natural beauty and variety of sights attracts many tourists from all over the world. The city also accepts visitors who are interested in economical activities in the area, as well as scientists and educators, who are interested in historical files, historical monuments and museums or are interested to visit the Technical University of Crete, which is an important research center.
In addition to a number of specialised conference centres, there is an enormous variety of facilities at hotels in the main towns and resorts, fully equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting installations, simultaneous translation systems and other amenities. Many of the hotels also provide technical and secretarial support, plus a full range of office machines, computer and telecommunications systems.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Airport of Chania: +30 28210 83800
Port Authority of Chania: +30 28210 98888
Chania Buses Services: +30 28210 93306
Chania Police: +30 28210 25750
Chania Tourist Police: +30 28210 28708
Chania Hospital: +30 28210 27000