Welcome to Chania
The city of Chania is located on the north-east part of the Prefecture of Chania. It is the capital of the prefecture and its administrative, economic, commercial and transportation center. It has a population of over 60.000 residents and is built over the ruins of the ancient city of Kydonia. Since the ancient times, the city of Chania has faced many conquerors and the influences of many civilizations through time, evident on the city monuments. The beautiful city of Chania managed to preserve its original colors and historical character, despite the fast-growing tourist industry. It is considered as one of the most beautiful cities of Greece and the most picturesque city of Crete. The city of Chania is also characterized by a rich cultural life. A plethora of cultural events are organized every year (exhibitions, festivals, theatrical and musical performances, ect.)
The city has an airport and the port of Souda, the largest natural port of the Mediterranean.
The Municipal Market is one of the most central spots in the city, hosted in a 1913 building. In a short distance from the center, there is the Municipal Garden and next to it, the park "Eirinis kai Filias" (meaning, the "park of peace and friendship. The Municipal Garden is one of the most beautiful in Crete, and it also includes a small zoo with animals of the Cretan flora.
The Venetian port provides pleasant promenades through picturesque streets and attracts many visitors throughout the year. There are also many bars and restaurants by the seaside for every taste. The districts of the city outside the walls still preserve their Venetian nobility. Narrow passages surrounded by elegant houses built in different historical periods offer visitors pleasant routes to discover. Many neoclassic buildings are also preserved in neighboring districts, such as in "Halepa".
Streets and Plateaus of the city
The streets, plateaus and parks are an important feature of the city of Chania. Their role is not only functional, but also to beautify the city and the lives of its residents. In this unit, you will find general information and guides of the city plan that will help you go around the city. Here you will find information on the parking availability and parking spaces in the city of Chania. You can also find all the street names and plateaus of the city, the districts where they are located, and some information about them.
Tradition
Especially interesting is the art of the Cretan boot-making (called "stivania") and the Cretan dagger making. Visitors will have many opportunities to enrich their journey and learn more on the Cretan traditions and heritage by exploring the local arts and by participating in folk art festival.
Please visit the following links to learn more about the Cretan traditions:
- Music Laboratory LABYRINTH
- Audio-visual Archive of ERT, the Cretan "lyra"
- Institute for Research on Music and Acoustics
- The Fathers of Cretan Music
- Stivanadika
- Events for the traditional professions (ΚΑΜ of Chania)
Museums
In the following thematic unit you will find a list of the city's museums. The museums of the city of Chania feature important exhibitions and archeological findings that outline the rich cultural and historical heritage of the prefecture
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ARCHEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF CHANIA
| Address: Halidon 21 Tel: 28210-90334 e-mail: keepka@culture.gr Opening hours: everyday from 8.30 to 15.00 / MONDAY CLOSED Entrance fee: 2,00 € The Ministry of Culture webpage on the Archeological Museum of Chania |
NAUTICAL MUSEUM OF CRETE
| Address: Akti Kountourioti (Kountourioti coast) Tel: 28210 - 91875 Fax: 28210-74484 e-mail: Mar-museum-crete@otenet.gr Opening hours: everyday from 08.30 to 14.00 CLOSED ON OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS Entrance fee: 3,00 € The webpage of the Nautical Museum of Crete |
BYZANTINE & POST-BYZANTINE COLLECTION
| Address: Theotokopoulou 78 Tel: 28210 - 96046 Opening hours: everyday from 8.30 to 15.00 / MONDAY CLOSED Entrance fee: 2,00 € The Ministry of Culture webpage on the Byzantine and post-Byzantine Collection |
| Address: I. Sfakianaki 20 Tel: 28210-52606 e-mail: iakr@otenet.gr Opening hours: everyday from 09.00 to 13.00. CLOSED ON WEEKENDS Entrance fee: FREE |
| Address: Tzanakaki Str. Tel : 28210 44156 Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday 09.00 to 14.00. Entrance fee: FREE |
| Address: Elena Venizelos Plateau Tel: 28210 -56008 e-mail: info@venizelos-fountation.gr Opening hours: everyday from 11.30 to 13.30 and from 18.00 to 20.00 (except weekends) (1/11/09 - 30/6/2010 ) Entrance fee: 2,00 €
CLOSED DUE TO RESTORATION TILL DECEMBER 2013
The website of the National Research Foundation "Eleftherios K. Venizelos" Monuments
Archeological research has proved that the city of Chania is inhabited since the prehistoric era. The monuments that adorn the city of Chania stand as the best evidence of its long history. If you are attracted by the past, you will definitely enjoy the unique architecture of old city and the wonderful monuments of city. In this unit, you will find interesting information on the city's monuments, organized in historical periods.
Follow the historical thematic units with indicative monuments of each period. Historical Sites- Districts
The old city of Chania is distinguished for its picturesque historical districts with the unique architecture that defines the cultural character of the city. The historical districts of Chania bear the history of the city and a walk through their streets will satisfy even the most demanding sightseers.
Cultural Heritage In Chania, visitors live unique experiences following the traces of the past. The culture of the city is unfolded before the eyes of the sightseer: archaeological sites, museums, temples and historical districts clearly signify the course of this exceptional place through time. Visitors may also be initiated to the local traditions, and experience first hand the lifestyle of Chania, the music, the songs and the folk arts. The gastronomy enthusiasts will be especially pleased by the authentic flavors based on local products and on the genuine Cretan cuisine of region. Cultural Institutions In the following thematic unit you will find information on the main cultural institutions and carriers that are active in the Municipality of Chania. We hope that this unit will provide adequate information on the actions and work of our Municipality around issues of culture and education. Below you will find a list of the active cultural institutions in the city of Chania. The architecture of the city
The Venetian, Turkish, traditional and modern architecture coexist in harmony in the beautiful city of Chania, creating a unique attraction for the visitors. Archeological sites, temples, plateaus and unique buildings adorn the charming Municipality of Chania.
In 1964, the city of Chania was declared a historical monument by the State and since then there have been many efforts to preserve and project its historical character. The main goal of the program is the preservation of all the historical monuments of the city, the projection of the local culture and the upgrading of the quality of life of the residents. Despite the intense development of the last few decades, the interventions, the disasters and the impositions of modern architecture, the old city managed to preserve its historical character to a large degree.
The Hospitality of Chania Chania is gifted by nature, God and our ancestors. We invite you to experience the genuine Cretan hospitality in Chania. Share your table with the local people and listen to their stories. Get to know their customs and their ethics. Embrace their warm hospitality, sometimes expressed by a treat of raki, wine or "mezze" and sometimes by a lavish meal in humble households. The people of Chania will welcome you with love, they will share their lives with you and they will make you feel right at home. The Cretan hospitality is not a way to show off, it is not pretentious or a matter of habit. It is simply part of the Cretan lifestyle and an expression of soul. Besides, nothing belongs to the Cretan people. The Cretan land is their homeland, and this land cannot be owned. With joy and pride, Cretan people accept the fact that they are nothing more than guests in the great palace of their generous father, the Cretan-born Xenios Zeus. The Municipality of Chania is an ideal tourist destination that offers more than the dazzling sun and the blue sea. It offers a beautiful natural environment, a unique culture and history, wonderful cuisine, fresh products and a high quality of life. Chania is truly blessed by nature, God and our ancestors. Below you will find useful information on tourism in Chania. Please visit the following websites: |
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