Chania Prefecture is the island’s westernmost Prefecture and the city of Chania is the capital. There are five provinces in the Prefecture: Kydonia, Kissamos and Apokoronas in the north and Selino and Sfakia in the south.The prefecture of Chania is identified by the ancient city of Kydonia and Lefka Ori with the famous formations of Samaria Gorge. The Gorge is 16 km long and it was created by a river running between Lefka Ori. Samaria Gorge is a national park since 1962 as the Cretan goat (kri-kri) is found there as well as other species of bird and flower. It is a famous tourist attraction and the best section is where the sides close to 4 meters wide and 500 meters high.
The north side of the Prefecture of Chania:
Snifari is a very quiet village on the west side of Crete just 1 km away from a pebble beach. Falasarna is a very quiet place as well with the nearest town being 20 km away but the sandy beaches have crystal clear waters and the views are stunning. The ruins of the ancient harbour of Farsalana can be found here. Kastelli is a little town situated in the Gulf of Kissamos 40 km west of Chania with frequent bus connections. There is a long sandy-pebble beach with many good restaurants and few bars. Kolymbari is a quiet village 23 km west of Chania with frequent bus connections, few restaurants and shops and a long pebble beach. The monastery of Gonias can be seen here built in the 13th century. Maleme is an undeveloped area with few large hotels and a fine pebble beach 16 km away from Chania. It is the place where Germans invaded Greece in 1941 and most of them were killed and buried in the German war cemetery above Maleme. Gerani is not a very developed area 17 kilometres away from Chania with few hotels and an organized pebble beach awarded with the Blue Flag. There are villages around the area worth of exploring. Platanias is the biggest tourist resort in west Crete located 13 km from Chania with frequent buses. It has a long sandy beach with many luxury hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and many bars and discos. A visit to Platanias village is necessary as it is a place of long history and interesting legends. Agia Marina is a tourist resort very close to Platanias 10 km away from Chania. It offers many facilities to the tourists from accommodation to water sports and a long sandy beach. Stalos is a tourist resort very similar to Agia Marina just 8 km from Chania. Galatas and Daratso were initially villages up on hill but few years ago there was development near the sea. Because of the small distance from Chania many Cretans moved here but the village atmosphere isn’t spoiled. Chrisi Akti and Agii Apostoli because they are situated within a walking distance from Chania are famous places for Cretans and they can be very crowded especially during the weekends. The sandy beaches are very nice and safe for children as the waters are shallow. Chania is the second largest city of Crete situated 70km from Rethymno and 140km from Heraklion. Chania is a city of unique beauty and cultural heritage. The city is divided into the new town and the old town situated next to the harbour. The old town was surrounded by the Venetian fortifications but only the western and the eastern parts exist until today. Chania’s old town and the harbour is the most beautiful district in Crete and the central part of the old town called Kasteli was inhabited since Neolithic times. The old town and the Archaeological museum offer a journey back to history from the Minoan to the Venetian times. The new town although modern has many attractive and picturesque places with many historical building and museums. Chania is served by Daskalogiannis International airport 14km away from the city. Souda is Chania’s port 7km away. There is plenty of accommodation from luxury hotels to simple rooms, is the best city in Crete for shopping, there are superb restaurants and plenty of nightlife. There are many educational institutes like the Technical University of Crete with 2,500 students. Kalathas on the peninsula of Akrotiri is a new settlement where Cretans started recently to move as it is only 12 km from Chania with several hotels and a beautiful sandy beach with shallow waters. Stavros is a quiet place 14 km away from Chania with a breathtaking beach and a little hill where the beach scenes of the famous movie ‘Alexis Zorbas’ with Antoni Quinn based on the novel of Nikos Kazantzakis were filmed. Kalives is a big Cretan village surrounded with lots of green and have a stunning view of Lefka Ori, 20 km east of Chania. The area around the village has developed but it keeps its charm and quietness. There are few sandy beaches with the west one being less crowded. Almirida is a small village in the Souda bay 25 km from Chania. There has been a development the previous years which left the beauty of the place unspoiled. There are many places to visit around of historicall interest and unforgettable views. It used to be a colony of the ancient Foinikes and it was the place of the last battle between the Greek revolutionaries and the Turks in 1896. In the area can be seen the Dictamo Gorge and Saint Nikolas Gorge and 210 caves. Very close to Almirida is Kokkinohori where the famous film ‘Zorbas’ was filmed. Around the area is Plaka village a picturesque site with the most amazing sunset, beautiful houses and streets. Finally in Almirida bay is Karga Island ideal for a day relaxing trip as well as visiting a tunnel from World War II and ruins of ancient walls. Georgioupolis used to be a small fishing village with many eucalyptus trees, a long sandy beach (9 km) and a river. Today there is a development with many hotels along the beach but because of its size it never feels crowded. The scenery is impressive with Lefka Ori at the background. It is located 40 minutes from Chania.
The South side of the Prefecture of Chania:
Paleochora is a big village 73 km from Chania with frequent buses and a ferry boat link with other places in south Crete. It has a long sandy beach and a choice of other beaches close by. Sougia is a small village 75 km from Chania ideal for relaxation and nice walks. The beach is long with sand and pebbles. Agia Roumeli is a new village at the south exit of Samaria Gorge created because of the numbers of people who visited the Gorge. The site is extremely beautiful with the wild Lefka Ori rising above the village and superb pebble beaches with crystal clear waters by the Libyan sea. There is no road getting to Agia Roumeli so the only way is taking the ferry from Sougia or Hora Sfakion or walking through the Gorge. Lykos, Finix, Loutro are small villages with access only by the sea with ferries from other villages on the south coast. They are peaceful places ideal for relaxing walks and nice swim in the clear waters. Chora Sfakion is the capital of Sfakia region one of the most wild, picturesque and untouched by mass tourism in Crete. A ferry from Agia Roumeli and a windy road leads to the village. Sfakia is very famous for the quiet beaches, the amazing nature, the hospitality of the people and the long history. The region produced great fighters and heroes like Daskalogiannis who freed Sfakia from the Turks and he was hiding into the caves until they found him and skinned him. Sfakians were archers for the army of Alexander the Great and built ships for the Venetian merchants. Fragokastelo is a recently built village famous for the Venetian castle, the superb sandy beaches and the stunning background of the mountains.
Greece