A trip to Chania by The Athenian Girl.
The past week was difficult for me to work for The Athenian Girl blog since my summer vacations were ending. Instead, it has been really easy just to lie on the beach doing nothing. Don’t blame me, you know the feeling 🙂
By the time I am writing this blog post, I am back to Athens and I have decided to dedicate this blog post and the next one to my holiday destinations of this summer. That is Chania and Pelion.
In this blog post, I will write my tips and my suggestions in case you are visiting lovely Chania.
- Chania is located in Crete. It doesn’t feel like you are on a small island. You are just in a small part of a bigger island (and one of the biggest of the Mediterranean Sea). Chania prefecture has so many things to do and explore, so just remember that it will make your life easier if you rent a car to cover the long-distance journeys.
- If you want to stay close to the beach bars, but in a small distance by car to the old town, then you should look for a hotel or for an apartment to rent in the popular tourist area of Platanias. Instead, if you prefer the centre, I would suggest staying in the old town of Chania.
- The old town of Chania is very romantic and you must visit it. I have written a detailed blog post about the old town and the Venetian Harbour of Chania.
- Chania prefecture has some of the most beautiful beaches of Greece that you must not miss. The exotic scenery of Balos lagoon, the awarded Falassarna beach, my personal favourite Elafonissi beach and Kedrodasos beach that is filled with cedar trees, are amazing and you will surely love them. You will need a car to reach these beaches or you may advise a tour operator how to visit those beaches with organized excursions. Just remember to check for the wind, as you might not enjoy your time there if the weather is windy. Some other thing to remember is that during July and August all beaches are crowded.
- My favourite place to drink coffee at the Venetian Harbour, is at the AlCanea boutique hotel, located just next to the Firkas Fortress, where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the old port of Chania.
- Splantzia quarter of the old town is the liveliest spot of the town. The town’s evening meeting point is on Ntaliani street. Don’t miss the chance to visit it during your stay for a drink!
- Eat Cretan cuisine at “Kouzina e.p.e.”
- Eat “Zoumero” (chocolate sponge cake drenched in hot chocolate syrup, served with whipped cream) at Koukouvagia (10 minutes drive more or less from the city centre) and enjoy the panoramic view of the city of Chania as well as the old harbour during sunset.
- This tip is for Rethymno prefecture, but if you have the time, you must also visit the idyllic Preveli beach and its Palm Forest.
- One of my best memories from my childhood years is the open-air cinema Attikon. I always choose to watch a movie during my holidays in Chania. This year I watched Woody Allen’s “Cafe Society“
- If you love adventure, Chania prefecture has much to offer! You can hike at Samaria Gorge, one of the longest Gorges in Europe (for more information, you may see my blog post about Samaria Gorge National Park)
- If you love extreme sports, Aradaina Bridge is 138 meters high and is in the municipality of Sfakia, in Chania prefecture. It is the highest bridge for bungy jumping in Greece and the second highest in Europe.
- If you want to buy local products, visit the Agora of Chania, at the borders of the old and the new town. You may read more about local products and Cretan Cuisine, in my blog post here.
- If you love beach clubbing and beach bars, then visit the Cabana Mare Beach Resort and Ammos & Ilios.
- If you love free camping, then you will love Gavdos, a petite island for camper lovers south of Chania prefecture.
- Last but not least, don’t forget the only thing you need for your holidays! Good mood!
Below you will find photos of Falassarna beach, Kedrodasos beach, Preveli Palm Tree Beach, the old town of Chania as well as the new town of Chania.
More tips about Chania will follow next year 🙂
Until next time! ♥
