Chania Travel & Vacation Guide

Glass-bottomed boats cross crystal waters to nearby St Theodore Island, while others sail to idyllic Stavros beach on the Akrotiri Peninsula. Check around before choosing a particular company, as prices and routes may vary.

A green area that spans nearly 20 hectares, the Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete provide a pleasant retreat from the summer heat. The territory is overgrown by multiple species of herbs, flowers, medicinal plants and fruit trees. The parks are also home to colorful peacocks and other animals.

The permanent exhibition at Chania Archaeological Museum tells the story of Crete's history with multiple well-preserved exhibits, which include mosaics, jewellery, coins, sculptures, and other artifacts. The building itself served as a prison, cinema, and ammunition warehouse at different times.

An oasis of tranquility awaits you at the historic Chrisoskalitissa Monastery. A perfect stop on any road trip, this spot is off-the-beaten path on the western side of Crete and offers stunning views of the coastline.

There are at least two scuba diving centers in Chania - Blue Adventures Diving and Omega Divers. They are both certified and have good reputation in the scuba business. Diving sessions are conducted under professional supervision, and enthusiasts of any proficiency level are welcome to join. Omega Divers +30 2 825 031 412 www.omegadivers.com info@omegadivers.com Blue Adventures Diving: Dive office: +30 2 821 040 608 Dive center: +30 2 821 087 047 www.blueadventures.gr

The calm ruins of Venetian defence structures remain standing all around the Chania harbour. Its fascinating Naval Museum (next door) recalls Chania’s maritime tradition. The fortress is also where the Greek flag first was raised.

Folklore Museum of Chania is a small and intimate museum showcasing Cretan artwork and embroidery, paintings, handicrafts, and various traditional pieces.

The archaeological site of Knossos is one of the most famous places on Crete. The drive from Chania takes quite a while, but there are numerous tour operators that organize trips here. Knossos is said to be the oldest city in Europe, whose remains still stand today.

Party vibes are felt day and night at Ammos & Ilios, with DJs spinning groovy tunes and sun-kissed vacationers living it up by the beach, cocktails in hand - naturally. At night, the venue transforms into a full-blown dance club, parties hosted all through the summer.

As the name reveals, this Chania establishment is all about rock and metal - the only music genres you will hear within these walls. You can easily find the Avalon Rock Pub Chania by strolling along the waterfront, heading westwards to the Frika Fortress.

Cabana Mare is an all-in beach club ideal for daytime and evening relaxation. Music pours from the speakers and beach vibes naturally fill the air, as guests linger by the bar or in and around the refreshing on-site pool, steps away from the sea shore.

Enjoy a vast selection of coffees, drinks and exotic cocktails as you sway to the music or have a dig into the long list of beers while shooting some pool or watching games on the projector screens. If you feel peckish there are numerous cold dishes and home-made sweets to try out.

If you want to visit a genuine Irish pub, try the Conor Pass located in the old harbour. The atmosphere is very laid-back and relaxed, and Guinness is served alongside the Greek Mythos - and so are many more beer varieties. The bar is popular with 30+ visitors.

Another attractive beach bar is the Costa Costa in Agia Marina. This place is among the most popular with tourists, and tends to get quite packed during the summer months - music is played, food served and sunbeds available. After the sun sets you can head over to the adjoining Villa Mercedes Club.

The lively bar and nightclub is located in Platanias (west of Chania), and invites holidaymakers to a fun night of drinks and dancing all throughout the summer season (April-October). The atmosphere is rather casual, the vibes gradually shifting from bar to club as the evening progresses.

The rooftop terrace of Agii Apostoli's Flamingos Hotel is a pleasant hangout spot, complete with hammocks free to be used by guests. There is also a good restaurant on site, so the bar is a great option for pre- or after dinner drinks in a relaxing environment.

Where Old Town and modern city meet, the fine Covered Market, or Agora (Mousouron Street) is the focal point. This is more a shopping mall than a marketplace, it provides a cool haven where locals throng among shops and stalls offering every kind of local produce, alluring pastries, piles of olives, fragrant herbs and spices, and appetising cheeses like delicious Cretan graviera and mizithra.

Ekaterini Handmade Jewelry is a beautiful artisan boutique in the heart of Chania. The jewellery collection is large and there are many different necklace, bracelet, and ring designs on display. Shop assistants are helpful yet unobtrusive, and prices reasonable for he quality.

Thessaloniki-born designer Georgina Skalidi today runs two shops in Greece. One of those is located in Chania, walking distance from the town's main attractions. Here you will find a haven of creatively designed beautiful leather bags, footwear, and accessories.

Gong stocks clothing and accessories with a vintage feel to them - printed shirts and dresses, bags (made from old vinyls or stylized Campbell's tomato soup tin-bags), retro pins and jewellery. There is a lot to browse through for the lovers of retro and not only.

Karistianis is for those who want to get serious about hiking - all necessary clothing and gear can be either found here, or at the sister shop across the road (whose assortment is heavier camping-focused). Brands represented include (but aren't limited to) Helly Hansen, Odlo and Reef.

At Katerina Garofalaki you can revel in beautiful jewellery and watches - the store has stocked some of the finest jewellery and watches in town since 1920. Brands represented today include ones like DKNY, Dior, Tag Heurer, Gucci, Armani, and other reputable ones.

Miden Agan stocks hundreds of varieties of Greek and Cretan wines, including some that are produced by the store owners themselves. It's a great little shop to purchase gourmet gift sets with local delicacies and sweets (try the syrup-drenched "spoon sweets").

There is also a metalworkers’ lane, Sifaka Street. This is where you will find an abundance of knives - stainless steel, handcrafted knives with ornate, carved handles to last decades. Shop around at the many small craftsmen's shops to find the best bargains.

Chania Airport, western Crete’s main gateway, is located 14 kilometres from the city. Most travellers arrive on tour operator packages including bus transfer or car hire. Independent travellers can catch a taxi into town.

From 6 am to 6 pm, public buses serve the coast road to and from Chania, stopping at the resorts. In Chania, town buses serve the modern districts, but the Old Town is small enough to walk around, and its lanes are too narrow for buses.

Chania’s blue and white taxis can be hailed or phoned. Tips are optional.

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On the door of any pharmacy a list shows which pharmacy is on night duty. You can recognize the pharmacies through a green cross on the door. Normal business hours are 8 am-1 pm and 5 pm-8.30 pm. Apotheke Chania 31 Chatzimichali Giannari +30 2821 002252

The main post office in central Chania is located on Peridou Street. Stamps can be bought at many shops.

Country code: +30 Area code: 28210 Note that numbers and codes within Greece do not begin with a 0.