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INFORMATION about CHANIA prefecture |
| INTRODUCTION: |
| The prefecture of Chania, apart from being a fertile land endowed with natural beauty, at the same time it seems like it has been blessed by history and tradition. Among the astonishing natural landscape, innumerable archaeological sites embellish the immaculate scenery, while the elegant characteristics of insular tradition are interspersed all over the Cretan land. |
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| LOCATION: |
| Chania is the first out of the four consecutive non-identical prefectures that comprise the gifted island of Crete. Located on the western part of the island, the prefecture of Chania borders with the prefecture of Rethymno. The prefecture of Chania comprises of the following five counties: Kidonia, Apokoronos, Kissamos, Selinos, Sfakia. |
| AREA: |
| 2376 sq.km |
| POPULATION: |
| 135000 |
| CAPITAL: |
| Chania |
| MORPHOLOGY: |
| The morphology of the Cretan land at the prefecture of Chania is extremely unique, as it combines all the natural elements in a synthesis of sheer beauty. Abrupt canyons and fertile flats that alternate with rocky bays and illimitable coasts, shall present you the grandeur of nature. |
| SEASONS: |
| The prefecture of Chania, gifted with an ideal climate during all seasons, is the unique resort for your vacations, whenever you choose to visit Crete. The summer months is the season when the pulse of tourist life beats faster and the island throbs with people from all over the world. |
| ATTRACTIONS: |
SIGHTS:
The quarters of Topana, Santrivani, Kasteli, Plaza, Koum Kapi, Halepa that are interspersed all over the town of Chania.
The remains of the Da Molin tower that is located at the village of Agia.
The ruins of the Venetian and Turkish houses that are located at the village of Agia Marina.
The Byzantine church, the church of Panagia and the ruins of the Temple of Tareos Apollon at the village of Agia Roumeli.
The ruins of the ancient town of Ippokoronio at the village of Kalives.
The Roman spa, the Venetian fortifications, the ruins of the ancient acropolis, the remains of the mains and the mosaic floors that you can find at the town of Kasteli, at Kissamos.
The arched grave of the Post-Minoan period at Maleme.
The house of Eleftherios Venizelos, the churches of Agios Eleftherios, Prophet Elias and the monastery of Hrissopigi at the village of Mournies.
The ancient town of Falasarna at the region of Falasarna.
The Venetian fortress and ruins of the ancient town of Aptera, at the region of Souda.
The Byzantine churches at Floria.
The Venetian fortress of Fragokastelo, located at Sfakia, at the region of Fragokastelo, as well as the government House of 1821.
The monastery of Panagia Hrissoskalitissa, at Lafonissi.
MUSEUMS:
The archaeological, the Cultural, the Nautical and the Chemical museums as well as the historical archive, the picture gallery and the museum of Lefka Ori, at the town of Chania.
The historical museum at Paleohora.
NATURE:
The watercave, a middle-minoan chapel at the village of Agia Marina.
The cave of Arkoudia or Arkoudiotissa at the village of Akrotiri.
The canyon (7 km) between Anopolis and Aradena.
The valley of Krapi, the canyon of Nimbros, the lake and the cave Kourna at Georgioupolis.
The canyon of Eleftherios Venizelos that connects the village of Therisso with the town of Chania and the cave Sarakina at the village of Therisso.
The caves Ahladolaki and Gre Spile as well as the little canyon at the village of Malaxa.
The upland of Omalos that is surrounded by the mountain chains of Lefka Ori.
The caves Zoures and Harakas and the little canyon from Anidri to Gianiskari at Paleohora.
The scheduled settlement of Batsounaria at the village of Perivolia.
The rocky holm Gramvoussa at the cape Vouxa, at the village of Falasarna.
The breathtaking canyon of Samaria (18 km).
The canyon Topoliano (1.500 m) at Topolia.
The cave Hirospilios at the village of Fournes. |
| SPORTS / RECREATION: |
The "LIMNOUPOLIS" water park is waiting to offer you unique moments of entertainment at the region of Perivolia.
If you are a fan of mountaineering, we inform you that at Lefka Ori, there are two lodges, one at the region of Volikas Keramion and the other at the region of Omalos. The telephone number of the mountaineering club of Chania is +30 (28210) 44647.
If you have a boat, you can wharf at the port of Chania, Souda, Kasteli Kissamou or Paleohora, where you will be able to refuel. |
| ENTERTAINMENT: |
| At the numerous settlements of the prefecture of Lassithi, there are several taverns where you can taste traditional delicacies like kalitsounia, staka, snails e.t.c. You can also find cafeterias and bars for your entertainment. |
| LOCAL EVENTS: |
Interesting cultural events organized by the municipality take place during August, while on May the athletic games "Venizelia" and the Cretan Conference of Peace also take place at the town of Chania.
During Easter time the impressive festival of the stock-farmers takes place at the village of Asi Gonia.
The "Vamos" cultural events in the beginning of August and the "Hohlidovradia" on April (festival for cooking snails, a traditional Cretan delicacy) take place at the village of Vamos.
The festival of Metamorphosis on August the 6th at Georgioupolis.
The festival of the chestnut on October at Elos.
The wine festival that takes place at the village of Kasteli in the beginning of August.
The festival of Panagia on August the 15th at the monastery of Gonia and the festival of Agios Ioannis on August the 29th at the church of Agios Ioannis that is located at an abrupt gulch at the village of Kolimbari.
The festival for the anniversary of the Battle of Crete at the village of Maleme.
The cultural events "Musical August" during August, at Paleohora.
The festival of Prophet Elias on July the 20th at Sougia.
The festival at the cave of Agia Sofia during Easter.
The festival of Panagia on August the 15th at the monastery of Hrissoskalitissa, at Lafonissi. |
| LOCAL PRODUCTS: |
| Quality cheese from Chania, Vrisses and the villages of Imvros, wine from Kissamos and chestnuts from the 9 villages of Kissamos. Moreover, you can also buy bananas, raki, honey, hardtacks and leather products, jewels, traditional boots and bags. |
| MAJOR TOWNS / CITIES / VILLAGES |
Chania
Carefully tailored town planning, broad roads, revitalizing parks and pedestrian zones are the characteristics of the town of Chania, the capital of the prefecture of Chania. Kempt neoclassical mansions, the market and the remains of the Venetian and Turkish impact compose the impeccable icon of the attractive traditional and picturesque town of Chania. Divided in the new and the old town, Chania has an interesting double profile that shall enchant you.
Kasteli Kissamou
Kasteli is the capital of the county of Kissamos and is situated on a fertile valley full of olive groves and grapevines. From the port of the settlement, which is the westernmost port of Crete, Kasteli is connected with several islands and proximate towns. The remains of the Venetian castle gave this settlement its name.
Maleme
Maleme is a coastal, tourist village of unique beauty. Situated in the heart of a verdurous region, Maleme is surrounded by reeds and trees.
Omalos
The infinite upland of Omalos, surrounded by the mountain range of Lefka Ori, is a bedazzling natural site that shall enchant you and guide you to the superb canyon.
Sfakia
Built on a rocky, arid site, Sfakia has remained an untrodden and picturesque village. Among the traditional houses and the stone paved narrow alleys, the impressive castle of Fragokastelo, dominates in majesty conquering all.
ALSO:
The island of Gavdos
Gavdos is an islet, opposite the village of Sfakia, that is lying in the heart of the Libyan Sea. Superb beaches, pine trees and cedars compose an unparalleled scenery of unrivaled natural beauty. Moreover, Gavdos is pulsing with interesting archaeological sites. |
| TRANSPORTATION: |
BY FERRY:
From Piraeus, there are frequent timetables to Souda on summer, while in winter the itineraries are more rare. The distance from Piraeus to Souda is 10 hours. The port of Souda is located at a distance of 7 km from Chania. Kasteli Kissamou is also connected to Gythio, Neapolis, Kythira and Antikythira.
Information:
Port authority of Piraeus: +30 (210) 4226000
Port authority of Chania: +30 (28210) 28388
Port authority of Kasteli: +30 (28220) 22024
Piraeus agency: +30 (210) 4124800
BY AIRPLANE:
From the Eleftherios Venizelos airport at Spata, there are flights to the town of Souda, all through the year. The duration of the flight is 50 minutes - 1 hour.
Information:
Olympic airways of Athens: +30 (210) 9363363
Olympic airways of Chania: +30 (28210) 57701
Airport of Chania: +30 (28210) 63264
BY BUS:
From Thessalonica there are buses that shall transport you to Chania via ferry. Chania is also connected to the other prefectures of Crete.
Information:
Bus station of Chania at Thessalonica: +30 (2310) 512122 |
| USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS: |
Police Department: +30 (28210) 28744
Tourist Police: +30 (28210) 73333
Municipality: +30 (28210) 97777
Tourism Agency: +30 (28210) 92943
Port Authority: +30 (28210) 28388
Taxi Station: +30 (28210) 98700, 98701, 98770
Mountaineering club of Chania: +30 (28210) 44647
Port authority of Piraeus: +30 (210) 4226000
Port authority of Chania: +30 (28210) 28388
Port authority of Kasteli: +30 (28220) 22024
Piraeus agency: +30 (210) 4124800
Olympic airways of Athens: +30 (210) 9363363
Olympic airways of Chania: +30 (28210) 57701
Airport of Chania: +30 (28210) 63264
Bus station of Chania at Thessalonica: +30 (2310) 512122 |
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