Positioned in Greece, to the west of Crete, the Chania area is slightly paradise on earth! With its pink sandy seashores, Venetian-influenced city and glorious delicacies, Chania is a very nice vacation spot.
What’s a must-see in Chania? How lengthy do you have to keep? Right here’s a journey information that will help you put together your discovery of Crete!
This text is the results of an invite from Uncover Greece. Nevertheless, I reserve the suitable to make my very own feedback, so the opinions expressed listed here are completely honest.
Chania in short
When to go ? With 300 days of sunshine a 12 months, you’re prone to discover sunshine all 12 months spherical. Nevertheless, keep away from the months of July / August, which might be highly regarded (generally over 40 levels !). Favor the months of April to June and September-October once you’ll take pleasure in a milder local weather whereas avoiding the crowds of vacationers.
How lengthy to remain At the very least 5 days, ideally a superb week to have time to correctly discover this area and proceed on to Heraklion.
For whom ? For everybody, kids and adults alike, so long as you want a little bit of strolling to get probably the most out of the vacation spot.
How one can get there ? A number of airways fly to Chania, both direct from France or with a stopover in Athens. Throughout my keep, I flew there with Aegean Airways, the principle Greek airline.
How one can get round ? Public transport is underdeveloped in Crete, so it’s finest to e-book a rent automobile which is able to help you get round with full freedom. I like to recommend Pancar, an area company positioned simply outdoors Chania airport.
How one can talk ? Don’t fear: most Cretans communicate glorious English!
What to do in Chania? 5 must-sees
Visiting Chania
Chania is a captivating city with a mix of Venetian, Ottoman and Greek influences. Its picturesque outdated port, dominated by an emblematic lighthouse, invitations you to walk round. Take your time wandering its cobbled streets and cease off at its cafés and eating places for a gourmand break (see a collection of good addresses later on this article).
To not be missed:
- The lighthouse
- The outdated Venetian port
- The Firka fortress
I’d additionally suggest a go to to the Archaeology Museum, which has been housed in a model new constructing since 2022 and whose collections bear witness to Chania’s wealthy historical past.
In the event you go there, take a gourmand break on the museum café, which affords a lovely view of town.
Go to probably the most lovely seashores and go for a swim
There is no such thing as a scarcity of lovely seashores in Chania, however be warned: some are solely accessible after an extended stroll, by boat or by 4×4. So don’t hesitate to e-book a ship or jeep journey to find them.
Among the many distinctive seashores I like to recommend Balos with its turquoise-coloured lagoon and Elafonisi famend for its pink-sand seaside.
Pink sand ?!
This can be a pinkish shell which, when damaged, provides the sand this pinkish color. Sadly, lately many vacationers have taken these shells and/or sand with them, making this pink impact much less seen, particularly in the course of the summer season when the primary shells of the season have been collected.
Warning: taking these shells with you is punishable by a advantageous so consider future guests and go away these fairly shells the place they’re ! 😉
To go and uncover these seashores, you’ll be able to request Uncharted Escapes which affords personal escapades by boat or 4×4. These rides are additionally a chance to be taught extra in regards to the area, its historical past and customs by chatting along with your information.
Participate in a cookery class
To find typical dishes and meet the island’s inhabitants, I extremely suggest participating in a cookery class. This offers you a greater understanding of the native lifestyle, in addition to supplying you with the possibility to share some tasty dishes.
This fabulous expertise provided by Let’s Crete lasts between 4 and 6 hours and is organised in a small group at a farm that works with ” home made ” merchandise and also will give you the chance to find native fruit and rub shoulders with their animals. The worth is €90 per individual.
A stopover in Loutro
Loutro is a captivating village on the southern shore however is inaccessible by automobile. It might probably solely be reached on foot (approx. 2h stroll) or by boat from Chora Sfakion. There are giant ferries to the island (value €12 a method) however smaller boats additionally make the journey for simply €5.
This former fishing village is now a preferred vacationer vacation spot, however entry situations restrict the variety of guests.
Monasteries to go to
Various monasteries might be visited in Chania. Some, like Agia Triada, additionally promote merchandise created by the monks (wine, oil…).
I’d additionally suggest visiting the ruins of the monastery of Katholiko, that are magnificent. They will solely be reached on foot from Gouvernetó. Permit round 1.5 hours for the stroll (outward and return), on a path with a steep gradient that faces lovely surroundings however has little shade. It’s due to this fact advisable to be in good bodily situation and to take water with you, particularly in summer season. Entry to this path is topic to a cost (€5).
Style the native delicacies
Greek gastronomy is especially tasty, so be gourmand and dare to strive every thing! Listed here are just a few typical dishes that I like to recommend you strive :
- Dakos: typically served as an aperitif, that is dried bread topped with tomatoes and cheese (typically crumbled feta or mizithra).
- Moussaka: these are grilled aubergines accompanied by onions and tomatoes, generally additionally minced mutton, topped with a béchamel sauce.
- Opcup: served after being freshly caught, octopus is a must-try dish on Crete, served in quite a lot of methods. My favorite: grilled octopus, an actual deal with!
- The Cretan Salad: this salad is a focus of color and freshness. There are tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and a superb dose of mizithra, the native cheese, all drizzled with a superb dose of olive oil.
- Le Boureki:it’s a gratin of potatoes, courgettes and cheese.
And naturally: olive oil
In Crete, we devour an enormous quantity of olive oil. Produced domestically, it’s the area’s treasure. Don’t hesitate to go and style it, and pack some in your suitcase!
You may make a cease at Melissakis Olive Mill the place yow will discover out how the oil is produced, style a number of styles of oil and do some buying.
Good locations to eat
The place to eat in Chania?
There’s no scarcity of fine eating places, so listed here are just a few favourites!
Chrisostomos, in Chania – €€
In the event you’re in search of native delicacies, that is the place to go. On the menu, a large alternative of typical dishes made with contemporary native produce. Our favorite is the octopus, which is scrumptious grilled or served with pasta!
I additionally suggest the grilled mushrooms and ” dolmades “, vine leaves full of rice. – https://chrisostomos.gr/en/
Salis, in Chania – €€
Positioned on the port of Chania, this restaurant affords a contemporary tackle Greek delicacies, each by way of presentation and flavour. The octopus carpaccio, the caramelised aubergines and – final however not least – the ” bueno ” mille-feuille are positive values! – https://www.salischania.com/
Apostolis, in Chania – €
A neighbour of Salis, the Apostolis restaurant can be positioned on the port of Chania. It serves typical dishes (Cretan salads, dakos, octopus…) at very cheap costs. – https://apostolisrestaurants.com/
Periplous, in Chania – €€€
If you wish to deal with your self to gourmand delicacies with out breaking the financial institution, then head to Periplous. This seafront restaurant affords a powerful view, particularly at time for dinner to benefit from the sundown. – https://periplousrestaurant.gr/
The dishes are as lovely as they’re scrumptious. You’ll be handled to splendidly seasoned dishes from the ocean and land, all in a really stylish setting!
Wine lovers can put their belief within the sommelier, who will have the ability to advise you on a collection of glorious native wines.
Loukoulos, in Marathi – €€
Simply quarter-hour from the airport, this restaurant on the sting of a lovely seaside affords native delicacies and a stunning view.
I notably suggest the hearty and engaging Cretan salad. As for costs, regardless of its seafront location, the restaurant is reasonably priced. Count on to pay round €12 for a salad.
The place to remain in Chania?
I stayed at the Atrion Resort Resort positioned about 20 minutes from Chania city and near a seaside. Clear and fashionable, the resort additionally has a swimming pool, which might be helpful for cooling off in summer season. The one draw back is the breakfast, which consists nearly completely of commercial merchandise.
To see the record of accessible institutions and their costs, you’ll be able to enter the dates of your keep right here :
Affiliated hyperlink
Interactive map
Discover all of the addresses talked about on this article on this map:
Comfortable journey to Chania!
This text follows an invite from Uncover Greece. Nevertheless, I’m free to make my very own judgements, so the opinions expressed listed here are completely honest.
All images illustrating this text are the property of Culturez-vous and will not be reused with out written permission.
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