Decided to rent a car in Chania? Here’s Everything You Need to Know:
Chania is a city in western Crete known for its extraordinary cultural heritage. Every year this city organizes holidays that attract tourists from all over the world. In November, you can visit the art festival, which takes place in the city. In May, you can take part in the celebration of the battle for Crete. The Festival of Nations takes place in July and the Summer Festival lasts until September.
Located in the northwest of Crete, Chania is considered the second largest in Greece. It is known that the city is washed by the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can visit various museums of the city (military museum, Chania Maritime Museum, Chania Archaeological Museum), go to the Turkish bath, discover the city's botanical park, enjoy the Limnoulis water park and, of course, taste the local cuisine in a typical city restaurant.
Chania is a real gem Crete, cozy and a picturesque town, a holiday in which is guaranteed to bring a lot of new experiences to travelers from all over the world. The old part of the city is the most popular among tourists. Here you can stroll along the port area and the embankment, visit restaurants and cafes, go to the oriental bazaar or stroll along the narrow streets, admiring the old Venetian houses.
What to see in Chania?
The city of Chania has many attractions worth visiting, as well as the modern airport. Tourists, as a rule, visit the Archaeological and Maritime Museums. Other attractions such as the Venetian Church, the Catholic Church of the Assumption, the mosque of the Janissaries, the former rector's palace: the port, the old town and the Venetian ruins such as the lighthouse and fortifications also attract travelers.
It is worth noting that one of the main attractions of the old district is the Agora market. Covered shopping arcades are built in the form of a cross and are strictly oriented to the cardinal points. Another market is called Leather Lane. Here you can see a huge selection of leather goods, there are also several sewing workshops where you can order tailoring of clothes and shoes.
There are several mansions and villas in Chania that once belonged to the Venetian nobility. Having rented a car from Bookingautos, tourists should visit the most grandiose and majestic building - the Renieri Palace. This building perfectly preserved the interior and decoration of past centuries.
In the port area you can see the Maritime Museum, which presents visitors a collection of navigational instruments, ship models and other attributes associated with famous seafarers. The Venetian port is also interesting for vacationers, on the territory of which there is a Turkish mosque of the 16th century, several churches and monuments.
In the center of the historic quarter of the city, tourists can visit Cathedral of the Three Martyrs, arriving in a rental car. It is rightfully considered the main cathedral of Chania. The history of the temple is very interesting. In the 14th century, the Church of the Holy Mother of God was built in its place. Its main relic was an ancient icon. Later the city was conquered by the Turks. They rebuilt the old church and opened a soap factory here. The main relic of the church has been preserved and stored in a warehouse for several hundred years. Then one of the factory workers dreamed of the Mother of God. She indicated the path to the icon. When it was found, the temple was restored. Today it is one of the most beautiful neoclassical religious monuments.
Where to go near Chania?
There are several ancient monasteries in the city and its environs, including the Orthodox monastery of Gouverneto. By the way, the name of its founder is still unknown. According to one of the legends, the initiator of the construction of the monastery was one of the wealthy local residents. Initially, the building was used for defensive purposes, so it looks like an impregnable fortress. The monastery was damaged during the Second World War. It was completely renovated just a few years ago.
around Chania tourist can visit various tourist sites. The most striking examples are the Samaria gorge in Omalos, the Aradena gorge in Anopolis, the old city located in Rethymno, the Armenian necropolis, and Frangokastro in Patsianos.
Food: the best restaurants in Chania?
Tzatziki, taramasalata, dolmades, quetedes, stifado, souvlaki and pita. Among the desserts, the most popular are baklava, yogurt meli and bougatse. In the restaurants of the city you can taste delicious national wine, ouzo, brandy, coffee and all kinds of fruit juices.
There are more than a hundred attractive restaurants and cafes in Chania, and every dining room is able to surprise visitors with their original delicacies. One of the most popular and attractive establishments is Glossitses Greek restaurant (4 Akti Enosseos, Chania, Crete 731 32; +30 2821 059074). It really impresses with the variety of dishes. In the evening, the atmosphere is always romantic and relaxing.
To Stachi (Defkalionos 5, Chania, Crete 73134; +30 2821 042589) is in demand among fans of vegetarian cuisine. Vegetarian pizzas and a huge selection of pastries, baked tomatoes with vegetables and tender lasagna, light soups and salads will surprise even the most demanding visitors.
Those who love seafood will definitely like the stylish and the chic Akrogiali restaurant (19 Akti Papanikoli, Chania, Crete 731 31 Greece; +30 2821 073110). The restaurant is located near the coast; Most of its visitors are guests of the resort. Vegetable lovers will find an excellent selection of interesting salads. This restaurant serves excellent Greek wines, including a variety of genres.
Where to park in Chania?
Parking your car in the city center is not an easy task. The most popular free parking lots are:
● Kuprou (Kuprou 73132);
● Jumbo (Makrus Toixos & 3o xlm Palaias Ethnikis Odou Chanion - Kissamou 73100);
● Gerasimou Pardali (Gerasimou Pardali 73131).
24 hour paid parking areas are:
● Daskalogianni 23 (Daskalogianni 23 73100, €12.00/day €8.00/night);
● Parking TALOS (Partheniou Kleiadi 73136; €3.60/ 2 hours).
