Chania Tour Guide

Crete and Chania are places where one goes to explore and fulfill their tastes and senses to the fullest. Crete is all about the rich Culture and History, the mountain villages of Psiloritis and the White Mountains, the Gorge of Samaria in Chania and the Palace of Minos in Heraklion, the Kourtaliotiko gorge, and the Fortress in Rethymno, the breathtaking beauty of the beaches, the Aegean Sea, the island of Spinalonga in Lassithi and its terrific lengths of Agiri Libyan in the South. By the time you arrive, you will first notice the Central Municipal Market of Chania(Agora), a marvel of architectural elegance. Have a coffee in the morning or a drink in the evening at the cafes and bars in Old Town. Start exploring the town by walking through the Halidon and Deligianis Street. Try bougatsa from Jordan, and zucchini flowers in the tavern of Mastoridis. Be sure to try the fried potatoes of Agapinakis in the village of Kournas and the herbs and sourdough bread in the tavern of Bobolis in the village of Palea Roumata. When leaving, do not forget to get the most delicious rusks of Crete from Plakopoulos bakery and take with you the most delicious honey in the world, the famous "Viglis" which is collected by bees that feed on the thyme that grows in the herds.

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Beaches and Coasts

Leaving Chania to the west you will find the popular beaches of Agioi Apostoloi, Agia Marina and Platanias. First stop: Iguana Beach where you can enjoy a unique and authentic beach experience in a fully organized beach with chaise lounges, umbrellas, an all-day bar, water sports, and many more. Following the coastline, there are the beaches of Maleme (18 km) and even further west of Kasteli. Always continuing west to the Gramvousa peninsula, you leave the car and take the boat to Balos, one of the most exotic beaches in Europe. On the west coast of the island, you will see the also famous beach of ancient Falassarna. Further south, always west coast and at a distance of 76 km from Chania, is Elafonissi, one of the most dreamy and popular beaches of Crete. If you get here, it is worth leaving the crowds and heading to Kedrodasos, a neighboring but inaccessible beach for most people, full of cedar trees. Apart from the forest and the clear blue waters, unfortunately, you will not find any shop on this remote beach, so it would be better to get something before your arrival. In the south of the prefecture to Libyko, there is the village of Paleochora with wonderful beaches (for seafood here there is the very good tavern Galaxy). Sougia and Agia Roumeli have a beautiful sea at the end of the gorge of Samaria. Famous for its beauty is the enchanting and secluded village of Loutro which can only be reached by boat. Next to Loutro you will find the two wonderful beaches of Marmara (with the famous tavern of Chrysostom on the rock and the awesome delicacies) and Glyka Nera which also have a tavern on a rock for Dako and a drink. Sfakia and Frangokastelo, a place full of legends are also nice places to swim. East of the city of Chania at 25 km is the favorite beach of the locals, Marathi, while NE of Akrotiri at 20 km you will meet Seitan Port with a heavenly and well-hidden small beach with difficult access. On the national road to Rethymno unfolds in front of you the endless beach of Georgioupolis that stretches for 10 km - it is impossible not to find a quiet place to swim.

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Eating Out & Dining

Bougatsa Iordanis (24 Apokoronou), a trademark of the city and known throughout Greece. The best breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack. Pallas (Akti Tombazi, Old port) Very good food until late at night in the most beautiful roof garden of the port. Seafood Ageri (Vivilaki 35, Tampakaria). In the area of ​​Halepa, next to the old tobacconists, a secret for the locals that have now been discovered by foreigners. Tables in the sea with fresh local fish, perfect seafood, Chania greens. Patrelantonis (Marathi), a traditional fish tavern from the famous in the city, on the beach of Marathi in Akrotiri, open from the morning. Fresh fish and Cretan delicacies by the sea until late. Ginger Concept (Sarpaki 36), is also quite popular, wonderful inside out with good cuisine, and open from the morning with breakfast and brunch. Salis (Union Coast, Old Port) with excellent service and food such as risotto, lamb with potatoes, eggplant salad, pancetta, etc., wonderful desserts, vegan options, and vegetarians. They accept pets outdoors. Achilles (Akti Papanikoli, Nea Chora), famous fish tavern, fresh fish, wonderful fish appetizers, and the friendliest service from Achilles and his brothers. Akrogiali (Akti Papanikoli 17, Nea Chora). Tamam (49 Zampeliou), the old Turkish baths. Old and famous. Impressive space inside, but also at the tables in the narrow cobbled path, serves genuine political cuisine, traditional and slightly teased, but also Cretan specialties. Be sure to book in August. Bat (in Korakies, 7 km. From Chania) One of the oldest (1933) and classic taverns of the city that has been turned into a nice restaurant with a stunning view of the bay of Souda. Kitchen with Cretan and Mediterranean delicacies, modern design, rich wine cellar. Do not forget to order zucchini, one of the top plates. Chrysostomos (Defkalionos & Ikarou, Old Port), the only restaurant in the city that was awarded the Golden Cap and Greek Cuisine Award 2014. Liokalyvo (Falasarna Beach, Chania), the brand new restaurant-bar open by Lefteris Markakis and Nikos Bakoulis. You can taste high gastronomic Cretan cuisine from local products and amazing signature cocktails from award-winning bartenders. A good tavern is hidden in the mountains, in the village of Drakona. Stelios Trilyrakis in the tavern of Dounias, cooks in the woods.

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