Holidays and Tours in Chania Crete

Bus Tours and Guided Excursions From Chania

The city of Chania - The city of Chania is the capital of the homonymous prefecture and is located in its northeastern part. The city has been built over the ruins of the ancient Kydonia and the signs of the foreign invaders are strongly.

Chania retain their scenic beauty over time. The buildings of the city reminiscent bygone eras.

The visitors of the city have two main access points. The Chania International Airport, "Daskalogiannis", at Akrotiri and the Souda Bay.

The picturesque Venetian harbor attracts visitors and locals both for its beauty and for the choices of entertainment for all tastes and demands. The old city preserves its Venetian nobility. Narrow cobblestone streets, which are surrounded with tasteful renewed houses of various ages, are offered for a pleasant stroll. Many neoclassic houses like Chalepa are also saved in districts which neighbor the city of Chania.

History - Chania has occupied many times by foreign invaders. The city's history begins in the Neolithic era. The classical period (5th-4th centuries BC) is considered to be boom time for the area. However in 69 BC the city was occupied by the Romans, where it took a long period of peace, which was continued in the first Byzantine period, from 330 until 824 AD. The conquest of Crete by the Saracens in 824 AD created literally disruption to local life, with consequences in the social, economic and religious sphere. The Arabian Occupation, from 824 AD until 961 AD, when Crete was occupied again by Nikiforos Fokas, was for Kydonia a dark period. Within the second Byzantine period, lordly families, who took a leading role among the local population, were sent from Constantinople. With the Fourth Crusade and the fall of Constantinople in 1204, Crete was given to Boniface of Montferrat, who then sold it to the Venetians. The period of the Venetian occupation lasted until 1645 AD where the city of Chania was occupied by the Turks. After the Greek revolution of 1821, Crete was ceded to the viceroy of Egypt, Mehmet Ali, until 1841, where the jetty and the famous lighthouse of Chania's harbor were constructed again. From 1841 onwards, Chania passed again into the hands of the Turks, until the establishment of the Autonomous Cretan State in 1898. Finally, on Dec. 1, 1913 formalized the standard union of the island of Crete with Greece.

Tradition - Chania is rich in cultural tradition. The representation of Cretan folk tradition is mainly found in art, in textiles, rugs, towels, etc. Also, unique creations imprinted in glass, wood and metal.

Museums - The city has many excellent museums. These are the Archaeological Museum of Chania, the Nautical Museum of Crete, the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection, the Historical Archive of Crete, the Chania Chemistry Museum and the War Museum of Chania.

Monuments - In terms of monuments visitors have the opportunity to see the Byzantine wall, the Venetian Port of Chania, the Rampart of Santa Lucia, of San Salvatore, of Agios Dimitrios, of Sabbionara, of Aghios Nikolaos of Mollos, the Venetian Walls, the "Firka" Fortress, the Venetian "Neoria" (Dockyards) and many other.

Historical Sites - The old town of Chania is distinguished for its beautiful historic neighborhoods, which are mostly residential compounds with unique architectural and cultural character.

Districts - The districts of Chania retrieve memories from throughout the history of the city and a walk in these will convince even the most demanding visitors.

The strict mountains of Chania meet the deep blue sea, creating a landscape of rare and unique beauty. The beaches, the crystal clear waters, the rich flora and fauna, the mild climate shape ideal living conditions and an enchanting environment that challenges you to explore it.