TOP 15 THINGS TO DO IN CHANIA!

Crete is absolutely charming and the largest island in Greece! As such, the distances are long and ideally you need several days in order to explore it… Below are a few things I believe you would enjoy during your stay in Chania, one of the 4 administrative regions of the island:

• Chania in West Crete
• Rethymno
• Herakleion in Central Crete
• Lasithi in the East.
  

  Chania town

Especially for your first time in Crete island, if you are visiting for a limited number of days, the best choice is Chania. Amazing food like in the whole island, great places to visit, good prices, old Venetian streets in the town of Chania and gorgeous beaches, as you can see in my other article TOP 10 BEACHES IN CHANIA.

Chania is 45 minutes flight from Athens or 9-10 hours by ferry from the main port of the capital, Piraeus. You can book your tickets here: Ferryscanner.com

Below, you can see the TOP 15 things I recommend when visiting for the first time:

1.Get lost in Chania town. You will love the Venetian Harbour, the old port, the narrow shopping streets and waterfront restaurants/bars, Koum Kapi, Chalepa… Sunset time is magical.

2.Go to a Cretan traditional festival (Panigiri) with Cretan live music. Angel’s tip: My favorite is the “Wine Festival”  that takes place in August in Vouves village. You pay a small entrance fee of 5 euros and you have unlimited wine from locals and amazing cretan music (I don’t know if this summer it will take place. Check with the locals first).

3.Eat – eat – repeat! You can find incredibly delicious food in the whole area, some of my choices are below but in any case you will eat magnificent cretan flavors! Google them for more info & make reservations! For sure try the local cheeses and Ntakos salad since it’s the Cretan famous meze, Kalitsounia (cheese pie or cheese/spinach pie) and drink “Tsikoudia“, the local drink with high alcohol content! If you are daring enough, try the local Cretan traditional snails recipe called “Hohlioi boubouristoi“.

• For delicious Cretan food try “Gramboussa Restaurant” in Kaliviani village, outside Kastelli on your way to Balos beach.
• If you want great Italian taste, visit “Don Rosario” in Souda.
• If you want fresh fish visit Kolymbari village, full of fish taverns but my favorite is “Argentina” that has been awarded many times and prices are very logical. “Patrelantonis” in Marathi is a great choice as well with beautiful setting and reasonable prices.
  

  Argentina fish restaurant owned & all cooked by a Cretan local family

• If you want to try something different, try “Milia”. An authentic 17th century mountain settlement, which has been transformed into an eco-friendly tourist complex. Beautiful village. What makes it so interesting? Cooking is usually done in the casserole and the wood stove, no electricity.  PS: You can stop in Milia on the way back from Elafonisi-Kedrodasos beach!
• For Cretan creative cuisine with nice view of the port visit “Arismari” and “Ta Chalkina” in the old port. Angel’s tip: Ta Chalkina have sometimes cretan live music. Ask them in advance.
• If you are looking for a nice restaurant/bar with romantic view of the old port pick “Pallas”. Angel’s tip: Check my photo below from the balcony during sunset. Terrace has great view as well – reservation needed!
• For a top quality local products and personal care visit  “Tamam” in the old port as well. It has some Eastern oriented influences by the Ottoman cuisine and the broader Eastern Mediterranean region.
• For great sea food a bit outside the old port area, visit the restaurant “Thalassino Ageri” (better during sunset).
• For small plates restaurants (μεζεδοπωλεία – ρακάδικα) with local vibes, visit “Rakaki”, “Stis Annas” , “Oinopiio”, “Throumbi”, “Mezedoscholeio”, all close to each other.
• In Nea Hora area, you can find a restaurant with delicious dishes called “Five“.

4. Eat amazing Crepe (open after midnight as well) in “Sugar & Salt” in Chania. “Roxani’s Crepes” in the center as well.

5. Try bougatsa (a kind of savory or sweet pie) in “Iordanis” in Chania.

6. Eat ice-cream or donuts from local shops in Chalidon street like “Jerry’s food truck” or Kayak or from “Domenico Handcrafted Gelato and Coffee” close there.

7. Have a coffee in “Boheme” in the alleys or in old port enjoying the view of the sea.

8. Have a drink in Pallas, Barbarossa or Nama next to the sea/port or “Senal” and  “K2” close to the previous ones. Others I love are “Synapsis Gathering bar” which is in a garden with fantastic atmosphere next to Venetian walls, the “Monastery of Karolos” or Charles monastery with great music and cocktails in a small street with restaurants and “Sinagogi cocktail bar” with amazing vibes. Everywhere though in Chania of course is super cool! 

9.Go for late drinks in “Barraki bar” in Chania – my favorite with great music.

10.Visit “Platanias” if you want to check other local souvenirs apart from Chania and take the cute train for a tour in the villages around!

11. Have a fun day in Limnoupolis aquapark! If you are family, your kids will love it. Angel’s tip: Go as early as possible.

12. Be adventurous and walk through the amazing gorges of the island! The closest to Chania and easiest ones are: Agia Irini gorge, gorge of Topolia , gorge of Katholikou. The most famous and longest gorge in Europe is Samaria Gorge. 16km , 5-6 hours hiking and amazing views. You need to go to the central bus station in Chania early in the morning, take the bus towards the start of Samaria and then hike! At the exit, you will have the chance to swim in “Agia Roumeli”, an amazing beach. You take the boat, go to Sfakia and from there a bus back to Chania. Angel’s tip: There are apartments in case you want to stay for the night in Agia Roumeli.

13. Visit  Venizelos Graves, which have incredible view from amongst the trees, on a hill above Chania. A beautiful spot high above the city, that gives you the chance to admire the view and look at the grave sight of Venizelos and his son, the most important Prime Minister of Greece (also the Athens airport has taken its name in his honor) Angel’s tip: Best place to pause & enjoy the view :Koukouvaya. Incredible desserts/sweets!!!  

14. Take a boat from Sfakia or Palaiochora and visit the Gavdos island, the southernmost place you can visit not only in Greece but in whole Europe! Loutro village from Sfakia is magical as well as mentioned in my article TOP 10 BEACHES IN CHANIA.

15. Discover the beautiful villages in Chania. Some worth mentioned are Vrysses, Platanias, Therisso, Milia, Kalyves, Palaiochora…

Enjoy your trip in this gorgeous island and let me know your impressions!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

 

*For more pictures check my highlights in Instagram*

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