Overview:

Chania, ( Hania ) on the western side of the island, attracts tourists thanks to its impressive natural landscapes and archaeological sites. In fact, it is two towns; the old fortified one, with its medieval quarters offering a trip through the Venetian and Turkish periods of Crete's past, surrounded b the suburbs of the new.

Best Chania Sights:

• Venetian and Turkish buildings

• Ancient Chania, on the hill of Kasteli, surrounded by the Byzantine and the Venetian Wall

• Old Rector's Palace

• Minoan tombs

• Venizelos graves

• the Firkas Fortress, as well as the Historical Archives and the Archaeological, Byzantine, Maritime and Folklore Museums in Chania Town

• the ancient cities of Polyrinia, Aptera in Souda and Lisos in Souyia

• the ancient sites of Phalasarna and Amfimalla in Georgioupoli

• the Frangokastelo fortress

Places to visit:

• the Monastery of Agia Triada and other monasteries

• Museums

• the Samaria Gorge (44 km from Chania), Europe's longest (18 km long)

• the Therissos and Imbros canyons

• Lake Kournas

Best Chania beaches:

Chania has also a variety of beaches that give the opportunity of water sports activities, safe swimming and sunbathing. Some of them are: Agii Apostoli, Agia Marina, Chryssi Akti, Falasarna, Frangokastelo, Galatas, Glyka Nera, Kalami, Kalyves, Lissos, Marathi, Pachia Ammos, Paleochora, Plaka, Platanias, Souyia, Stavros and the beaches on Elafonisi and Gavdos isles.

Cultural Events:

Chania is also renowned for its rich cultural tradition, with exhibitions of products and street markets all year round. Of particular interest is the Chania Summer Festival including theatre performances, musical events, art exhibitions and concerts. The Venizelia Games held every summer in memory of the politician Eleftherios Venizelos, the Naval Week , late June, and the Crete Battle of 1941 Anniversary in May are the best time to visit Chania.