Chania Prefecture
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Chania Crete Chania Hotels, Chania Car Rental, Chania Travel Agents, Information, Map of Hania Crete Greece

 
     
   
 
         
Map of Chania (Hania), Crete Island, Greece  
 Chania (Hania), Crete Island, Greece
 Chania (Hania), Crete Island, Greece
 
   
   
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For an unforgettable holiday experience, come to Chania, Crete!

The Prefecture of Chania, Crete is one of the prime holiday destinations in Greece, as the region offers visitors areas of unspoilt natural beauty, verdant mountains, endless beaches and impressive gorges. Chania (otherwise spelled Hania) is a multifaceted place, where modern lifestyle fuses with deeply-rooted traditions and customs, making it ideal for those who want to experience everything that is truly Cretan!

The prefecture of Chania, Crete is selected by all types of visitors, including nature lovers, nightlife aficionados and outdoor sports enthusiasts. Due to its variety of features, Chania is the perfect place for families, groups of friends and couples. The many Chania beaches satisfy all types of visitors, whether they prefer crowded sandy stretches or secluded coves. After a refreshing swim we recommend a delicious Cretan meal at one of the many traditional tavernas and restaurants throughout the Chania prefecture. If you are a creature of the night, Chania offers a wide selection of nightclubs and bars that remain open until the early morning hours.

The Prefecture of Chania (Hania), Crete has an extremely well-developed tourist infrastructure, providing a plethora of Chania hotels, studios, apartments and rooms, as well as Chania villas for hire, luxury hotels in Chania and all-inclusive hotel resorts, covering all price ranges. The prefecture of Chania is an all-year-round holiday spot, as excellent Chania hotels can be found both by the seaside and in the mountain villages.

Chania Hotels (Hania)

You will definitely find hotels in Chania, Crete that suit you particular needs, as they are many and varied in style, offering accommodation for all types of visitors. Chania hotels, rooms, and studios can accommodate couples and small groups of friends. For families and large groups of friends there are Chania villas and apartments. The majority of Chania (Hania) hotels are fully-equipped and include leisure facilities for a comfortable and pleasant stay in the Chania Prefecture.

If you are the type who prefers staying by the sea, there are a large number of Chania hotels, studios, rooms, apartments, villa rentals and resorts located along the beaches of Chania (Hania), such as Chania Town, the Akrotiri peninsula, Souda, Sougia, Platanias, Kalamaki, Georgioupolis, Maleme, Agia Marina, Falasarna, Kolymbari, Kastelli-Kissamos and Sfakia. If, on the other hand, you would like to spend your vacation in a traditional mountainside village, Chania offers a wonderful selection of villas, apartments and studios situated on verdant hillsides and among lush olive tree grooves, like Megala Chorafia or Samonas, located close to splendid Chania beaches. It is easy to find Chania hotels with a view of either the sparkling sea or the attractive mountains.

Hotels in Chania cover all price ranges, and therefore visitors can find high-end hotels and resorts, as well as cheap accommodation in Chania, Crete.

For more information about hotel accommodation in Chania, Crete, such as budget hotels in Chania, luxury Chania hotels, apartments, studios, rooms for rent, hotel resorts, suites, villas in Chania Town and other Chania villages, click for Hotels in Chania

Chania Beaches

Some of the features that make the prefecture of Chania (Hania) a very popular vacation spot are its spectacular beaches and the small islands located off its coast. Chania beaches are perfect for recreation and relaxation under the warm sun and in the cool azure waters. We recommend visiting the beaches near your place of accommodation, as well as beaches located further away, as each Chania beach has its own charm.

If you like popular beaches where many other tourist gather, we suggest the Chania beaches of Agia Marina, Agii Apostoli, Kalamaki, Kalyves, Geogioupolis, Kastelli-Kissamos, Kalathas and Platanias on the northern side, as well as Sougia and Frangokastelo on the southern side. Falasarna Beach and Kolymbari Beach in the north offer some quieter spots, as do the beaches of Domata and Loutro in the south. Most Chania beaches provide sun beds and umbrellas for hire, as well as a good range of restaurants and cafes. Some Chania beaches offer water-sport facilities and the chance to scuba dive in Chania (Hania) waters. There are also more secluded spots available to those who are looking for a nude beach in Hania (Chania).

A must during your stay in the Chania prefecture is a visit to the islands of Elafonissi and Gavdos, both of which are celebrated for their soft, white sand and turquoise waters.

Chania Nightlife - Chania Events

The Chania Prefecture has a wonderful selection of nightlife and dining venues. The Chania nightlife is quite exciting, offering entertainment for all musical preferences. Most of the dancing clubs, live music halls and bars are located in Chania Town, as well as Agia Marina, Kastelli-Kissamos and Sougia. You can find tavernas and restaurants all over Chania, in every mountain village and seaside settlement, serving scrumptious Cretan delicacies such as fresh seafood dishes, dakos (vinegar & water-soaked barley rusk with chopped tomato and feta cheese), staka cheese, apaki (smoked meat), potatoes "oftes" (fried with the peel), dolmadakia (stuffed vine leaves), and chochlious (traditionally-cooked snails) . At the end of each meal, diners are usually treated to a local sweet such as kaltsounia or preserves, or a glass of raki, Crete's famous alcoholic drink.

Crete 's charm is mainly due to its traditional features and old customs that are still practised today. For a taste of traditional Chania, we recommend participating in several of the annual Chania events. In Chania Town, you can attend the Venizeleia Athletic Meet in May. A number of cultural events, such as concerts, plays, art exhibitions, athletic competitions and dance performances are held in the summer in Chania Town and the villages of Kastelli-Kissamos, Kolymbari, Paliochora, Vamos and Sfakia. Mardi Gras celebrations take place in Kastelli-Kissamos and Souda. In April, in the village of Vamos, you can attend the "Hohliovradia", where traditionally cooked snails and other delicacies are served. In the settlement of Elos, the celebration of the chestnuts is held at the end of October. Many villages throughout the Chania Prefecture host celebrations on August 15 in honour of the Virgin Mary, one of the most important religious holidays of the Greek Orthodox faith.

Chania Sights & Attractions

Visitors never have to wonder what to do in Chania, Crete. There is an endless number of activities for archaeology buffs, history aficionados and nature lovers that will fill the days with enjoyable trips and tours.

Probably the most impressive sight in the Chania Prefecture is the world-famous Samaria Gorge, the longest and most impressive gorge in Europe. The more fit and adventurous visitors complete the long hike through the Gorge of Samaria and take a picture of Samaria to remember the unique experience. The history of the Samaria Gorge is extremely important to the Cretans, as it was a refuge of the rebels during the Turkish occupation. Next to the Samaria Gorge is the splendid Museum of Natural History, which is also worth visiting. Apart from the Samaria Gorge, visitors can also attempt crossing the shorter but equally beautiful gorges of Therissos, Imbros and Topolia. Kournas Lake is another stunning natural spot in Chania, where visitors can admire a wide array of flora and fauna.

While vacationing in Chania, we suggest going to the Akrotiri peninsula, located close to Chania Town, to tour its magnificent monasteries, the "Bear" Cave and the grave of Eleftherios Venizelos, Greece's prime minister in the early 20 th century and one of its most significant historical figures.

In Chania Town, visitors can stroll through the old district and admire the beautiful Venetian monuments, such as the Firkas Fortress, the Port and the Lighthouse, and visit some excellent museums. Other impressive Venetian monuments in the Chania Prefecture include the Frangokastello Castle and the Fortress in Agia Roumeli.

Chania, Crete, is packed with interesting archaeological sights that rival those in the Heraklion Prefecture. The ancient cities of Falasarna, Anopolis, Polyrinia, Aptera, Lissos and Amfimalla, as well as the Greco-Roman ruins in Kastelli-Kissamos present highly-developed civilizations that inhabited the island during various historical eras.

Finally, we suggest taking a drive through the traditional villages of Chania (Hania) where you will be greeted by their very hospitable inhabitants.

Chania Weather - Chania Climate

Chania weather is quite mild and enjoyable all year round, making it a wonderful spot for both summer and winter holidays. The summer months are hot and dry, while the winter months are rainy and cool. Temperatures in the mountainous regions of Chania (Hania) can get very low and snow frequently falls on the mountain tops. The inland plain areas are cool, while the seaside regions are considerably warmer.

From January to March, the average temperatures in Chania, Crete are 11°C to 14°C. In April and May, the weather in Chania is quite pleasant, ranging between the low teens and low 20's. During June, July, August and September, the temperatures in Chania are warm, but remain enjoyable, ranging from low 20s to low 30s. In October, the temperatures begin to fall, ranging between the mid teens to the low 20's, while in November and December the weather in Chania is typical for Mediterranean winter and temperatures may drop below 10°C, depending on the region.

The prevailing northern winds, known as the "Meltemia" are quite strong during the late summer months.

Ferries & Flights to Chania - Chania Car Rentals

Getting to Chania, Crete is fairly easy, as there are frequent ferries to Chania Port and flights to Chania Airport. There are direct flights to Chania Airport from the Athens Airport, Thessaloniki Airport and from other airports throughout Europe. Airfares for Chania flights fluctuate depending on the season and the airline company. Visitors are provided with both expensive and cheap flights to Chania. Discount flights and budget flights to Chania are available, as are economy airfares and business class airfares for international flights to Chania.

Ferries to Chania Port depart from Athens (Piraeus Port) and are particularly frequent during the summer months when Chania is packed with visitors from Greece and abroad. The prices of boat tickets to Chania (Hania) depend on the season and the type of boat. For further information about ferries and flights to Chania, Crete, click here to be directed to our Chania Travel Agencies' page.

Touring the Chania Prefecture can begin from the moment you set foot at Chania Airport or Chania Port. We suggest renting a safe and trustworthy rental car that will assist you in getting acquainted with the prefecture of Chania, Crete. For more information about car hire in Chania, Crete, click here to be directed to our Chania Car Rental Agencies' page.