CRETE GUIDE TRAVEL12.GR
VOLUME I
CHANIA AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO THE CHARMING TOWN OF CHANIA AND THE CHANIA REGION
CHANIA OLD TOWN Chania is an extraordinary town with low-key charm, history spanning over centuries and garishly painted buildings that create an amazing colorful maze that will leave you wowed. It's a captivating cultural mosaic that has managed to preserve its Ottoman and Venetian grandeur. Stroll around and you will discover why this town is by all means timeless!
THE BROADER REGION .
If you think that the beauty of Chania is concentrated solely in the Old Town then you will be amazed by the outskirts. Invest some of your time to visit the amazing villages scattered around the region. Mountainous ones like Vamos, Sfakia, Anopolis, Alikianos will get you closer to nature and lost in the beauty of their landscape as the White Mountains are imposing. If you prefer seaside ones, you can never go wrong with Kissamos and Loutro. Lake Kourna is a very important ecosystem, brimming with species of flora and fauna.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO GO HORSEBACK RIDING AT LAKE KOURNA Apart from the world-famous Samaria Gorge, the Gorge of Aradena is also notable, as it is the deepest and steepest one in Crete. You can also go on a boat trip to the unspoiled village of Gavdos which is the one of the most southern points of Europe!
POINTS OF INTEREST 01
THE GATE OF THE MANSION OF RENIER
04
on Moscow street in the Old Town
02
THE GRAND ARSENAL with its many cultural events, artistic exhibitions and international architectural events
03
THE GRAVES OF THE ELEFTHERIOS VENIZELOS FAMILY one of the most notable Greek politicians and Prime Ministers. There you can enjoy amazing panoramic views.
THE MUNICIPAL MARKET OF CHANIA as well as, the Municipal Garden and the clock
05
THE EGYPTIAN LIGHTHOUSE at the edge of the Venetian Harbor
06
THE TOWER OF CHANIA at the center if the city
07
THE VENETIAN NEORIA complex of buildings
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
01. THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF ANCIENT APTERA 02. THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF ANCIENT FALASARNA
03. THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF KYDONIA 04. THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF LISSOS
CHANIA REGION
MUSEUMS The Archaeological Museum of Chania The Byzantine Museum of Chania The Folklore Museum The Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos The Museum of National Resistance The Historical Archive of Crete The Maritime Museum of Chania
FORTRESSES The Fortress of Gramvousa The Fortress of Frangokastello The Venetian Fortress of Selino in the village of Paleohora The Fortress of Firka at the Old Harbor The Fortress of Itzedin on the hill of Kalami
OTTOMAN MONUMENTS The Mosque of Giali Tzami or Küçük Hasan Pasha Mosque built on the second half of the 17th century at the Venetian Harbor. Be on the lookout for events and exhibitions there. The Square of Spalntzia or 1821 Square on the east side of the Old Town. The Hamam Baths of Chania dating back to 1645.
CHURCHES AND MONASTERIES
The Church of Agios Nikolaos in Chania Town. The Monastery of Agia Triada Tsangarolon located on the foothills of mounts Stavros in the area of Akrotiri. The Monastery Gouvernetou, constructed with a fortified architecture in 1537. It is also located in the Akrotiri peninsula. The Monastery of Panagia Chrissoskalitisa, overlooking the lagoon of Elafonisi. The Monastery of Panagia Odigitria on the western end of the Chania bay.
THE STIVANADIKA DISTRICT WHERE THE FAMOUS BLACK CRETAN BOOTS A.K.A STIVANIA USED TO BE MADE. THE TAMPAKARIA DISTRICT WHERE TANNERIES DATING FROM THE MID19TH CENTURY USED TO OPERATE. NOW THE REGION IS CONSIDERED A MONUMENT OF PRESERVED CULTURAL VALUE. . THE HALEPA DISTRICT AN OLD, ARISTOCRATIC NEIGHBORHOOD WITH AMAZING BUILDINGS.
CITY LIFE \\ MUST VISIT DISTRICTS
BALOS LAGOON
Τhe island’s most famous lagoon, famed for the diverse landscape and the pink tinted sand. Balos beach is considered one of Greece’s most famous and photogenic beaches and it always makes it to the top lists counting the world’s most amazing swimming spots. It has also been declared a protected natural area by the European Network Natura 2000.
SAMARIA GORGE Samaria Gorge has been on a tentative list awaiting to be listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's natural beauty is breathtaking. It is the longest gorge in Europe as well as the largest uninhabited area of Europe. It's a must when in the region.
INDULGE IN
CRETAN GASTRONOMY
Cretan Gastronomy is able to satisfy even the most demanding palettes. Head to the Old Town, where you can find many traditional tavernas serving all kinds of local delicacies.
The Cretan land is extremely fruitful. Typical Mediterranean produce like oranges, tomatoes and olive oil here are second to none. What’s lesser known is that the island hides also a tropical climate side and grows delish avocados and bananas. Crete is a Slow Food Mecca. Indulge in the somewhat heavy, yet delicious staka butter used to add rich flavor to many dishes. Give gamopilafo a try, you won’t regret it. Seek boureki, a vegetable specialty, myzithropita, kserotigana and tsigariasto dishes. Producers have been curing apaki with methods perfected for years. Ask them to slice some up for you. Cretan barley rusks make an excellent salad case when mixed with tomatoes and cheese -all dressed with olive oil, also known as NOMADIC | 24 dakos. Gulps of tsikoudia are always on the menu.
GETTING TO KNOW THE PLACE
WHAT TO BUY Cheese lovers head for the local graviera cheese. The aged the better. Crete boasts many wineries and local varieties such as vidiano and liatiko. Manousakis and Douloufakis are great labels to try. Cretan engraved knifes are part of the lands history and worthy to be labelled as a great purchase. Herbs and olive oil, the nature’s gifts cum remedies won’t stay long in your cupboards. As for the fashion savvy ladies, Kyrvan shoes have A-list espadrilles, handmade in Crete with 4 traditional patterns.
Useful Greek Expressions GOOD MORNING
PLEASE
Kaliméra
GOOD EVENING Kaliníchta
Parakaló
GOOD AFTERNOON
THANK YOU
Kalispéra
Efcharistó
CHEERS Yámas
Spring in Chania Sping is an excellent season to pay Chania a visit. Flowers are blooming everywhere and nature is at its finest. Perfect for some outdoors activities like hiking or horse riding. Walking around is also ideal for this time of the year, due to the sunny weather. Try village hopping and discover the beauty of the Cretan prefecture.
Spring Festivals April: Sheep festival in the village of Asigonia May: Commemoration of the battle of Chania at Maleme village
SPRING SOCIAL CALENDAR March 25th is a national holiday for Greece commemorating the beginning of the Greek revolution in 1821 against the Ottoman Empire. .
Good Friday (April 6th in 2018) is a religious holiday for Greeks. It's dedicated to church going and family gathering. Many customs take place on Good Friday with the procession of the epitaph as the most notable one.
Orthodox Easter & Easter Monday (April 8th & 9th in 2018): Usually spent with families, those days are perfect for those who want to know Greek tradition and customs, starting Saturday at midnight. Don't miss the roast lamb on the spit!
May 1st Labor day
Monday of the Holy spirit (May 28th in 2018) is a religious feast for Greeks. A holiday for office workers, while commercial shops are open.
Summer in Chania Summer in Chania is unforgettable. For the beach bums, nearby beaches will leave you amazed. Nothing better than a refreshing dive in a hot summer day. For the romantic ones, don't pass on the chance to enjoy a beautiful sunset. The summer season agenda is filled with events and festivals, like the Chania Rock and the Chania Summer festivals. And don't forget to taste the summer fruits!
SUMMER SOCIAL CALENDAR August 15th is a major religious holiday for Greeks commemorating the assumption of Mother Mary. It is usually celebrated with church going and family gathering.
March 25th
is a national holiday for Greece commemorating the beginning of the Greek revolution in 1821 against the Ottoman Empire. .
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BEST BEACHES Balos Elafonisi Falasarna Seitan Limani Kiani Akti Maistrali Kedrodasos Agia Roumeli Loutro Sfakion
SUMMER FESTIVALS June: Venizelia and Cherry festival at the village of Karanos July: Elafonisi Festival at the beach of Elafonisi August: Wine and Graviera Cheese Festival at the villages of Kasteli and Sfakia
SUNSET SPOTS Archaeological Site of Aptera (North) The Venetian Harbor Eleftherios Venizelos Grave, Town of Chania Beach of Falasarna (Northwest) Beach of Elafonisi (West)
AUTUMN IN CHANIA Autumn is an amazing time to be visiting Chania. The weather is still warm and swimming is defnnitely on the menu, especially around September. There are exciting local festivals happening all autumn moths. The most notable one is the tsikoudia festival also known as kazanemata. Cretans take their tsikoudia seriously and so should you!
Autumn Festivals September: Sardine Festival in Chania October: Chestnut Festival at the village of Elos November: Tsikoudia festival
AUTUMN SOCIAL CALENDAR September 14th is a religious day for Greeks. Some tend to fast on that day while others devote their day to church going. With so many beautiful churches around, why not see for yourself?
October 28th is a public (bank) holiday for Greeks. The day is dedicated to commemorating the resistance of Greece against Italy in World War II, which started by refusing to surrender and launching and a counter-attack. School students are parading in all neighborhoods in pride and respect.
November 17th is a semi-public holiday for Greeks, commemorating the Athens Polytechnic uprising against the military junta in 1973.
November 21st is Mother Mary's celebration which is the patron saint pf Chania and is a bank holiday for the locals.
winter in chania Spending Christmas close to the sea is an experience by its own. You might think that Chania is a sunbathing destination but winters in Crete hide their own charm. It's the time to devour on local delicacies and use your tsikoudia to warm up. Blame it on the cold! As with everywhere in Greece, Christmas desserts are a must. Seek melomakarona, kourabiedes and diples. The city of Chania hides cosy coffee corners and an amazing bar scene, perfect for the cold winter nights, Forward thinking mixologists, infuse tsikoudia and Cretan herbs into modern cocktails, giving excellent, fine drinking results.
WINTER SOCIAL CALENDAR December 25th and 26th: Christmas and Boxing Day. Both are public (bank) holidays for Greeks and they are usually spent with family. Stuffed turkey and roast pork are typical Christmas dishes.
January 1st a.k.a New Year's Day is also a public (bank) holiday. As with Christmas, it is spent with families and celebratory lunches and dinners.
January 6th is the Epiphany Day for Greek Orthodox people. It is also a public (bank) holiday; Greeks tend to attend church and the traditional custom of throwing the cross in the nearby sea, lake or river.
Ash Monday (February 19th in 2018) is a movable feast for Greeks, with many happenings around the country. Get ready to fly your kite!
USEFUL INFORMATION
TRANSPORTATION IN CHANIA CHQ international airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis Location: souda bay on the akrotiri peninsula Distance from chania town: 15 km. taxi fare: € 24 (one way) PORT of souda Distance from chania town: 7 km. taxi fare: € 11 (one way) PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION YOU CAN FIND THE regional bus TIMETABLES AND RESERVE A SEAT ONLINE AT http://e-ktel.com/en/ for the urban bus, visit http://chaniabus.gr/en/#main
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