Greeka.com: Chania Reviews - Greece and the Greek Islands

Villages: An amazing trip to the past

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

My grandmother was from Paleochora, a village in Chania. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to travel there, till last summer, when my cousin and I decided we should go. We arrived at the port of Chania early in the morning, the weather was so nice that day. We found out that the buses for Paleochora leave every hour ...

Villages: Authentic life and nature

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

The unspoilt and tranquil atmosphere of Sfakia amazed us. We had booked ourselves into a simple, yet comfortable accommodation at the port. After unpacking, we took a walk around the small pedestrian street in Sfakia lined with taverns, coffee places and little shops right next to the sea. It was an absolutely wonderful experience to sit under the pergola on the waterfront with a coffee, while ...

Beaches: Exotic water

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

Sparklingly clear waters and pure soft sand make Elafonissi a beach outside Greece, an exotic coast more likely to find in the Caribbean and not in Crete. The beach is actually a long coast with a tiny islet in front. It has been listed as a special environmental region, and "Life" has initiated two programs in the area. One of them is an observatory for the rare Bearded Vulture, which has a si...

Villages: Old charm from the past

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

The first thing that comes to you when you arrive at Chania is its rich past, occupied as it was by Turks, Arabs and Venetians, all of who have left an incredible mark on this city. The Venetian Harbor, the old lighthouse, the narrow alleys lined with shops and the waterfront restaurants are so full of the old world charm that it is difficult to alienate Chania, we decided to move a bit outside the town. We stayed in Loutro Chania, for a week, in a clean and quite cheap, studio next to the sea with a great view to the sea from our balcony! The family owning the rooms was too friendly, always with a smile on their face and ready to help you. They als...

Villages: Delicious local drinks

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

Chania town is probably the most beautiful town in Crete. Keeping all the Venetian culture and architecture, the buildings give a strange, forgotten and romantic feeling. The Old Town of Chania is divided in many neighborhoods and districts, with many mansions, churches, squares, cafes and restaurants. Walking to the the ...

Beaches: Love this healthy life attitude

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

This was our second time in Crete and we mostly wanted a place to swim, relax and do nothing. The first time we had drived from one side of Crete to the other and had seen all the major towns and resorts, ancient sites and beautiful beaches, but this time we just needed to sleep a lot and swim. Our hotel was in Maleme, a nice and quiet village close about an hour from Chania, so that we wouldn'...

General: Love the wild landscape

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

I have been to Crete many times before, it is just too big to see it all in one or two visits! My favourite area was Chania. Every time we go we stay in Maleme in the same hotel, we are very pleased with Takis and Maria. Chania doesn't look like an island but like a mainland mostly. You are in the beach now and after half an hour drive you may be lost in mountains. I like the wildness of this a...

General: Enjoy spring nature

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

My husband is a herbalist and needed some plants for his paper on Cretan plantation. So, we went to Chania last month (April is always the best spring month, when nature blossoms) and travelled valleys and mountains to collect these plants, and many others that we found on our way. We rented a car from the airport of Chania and started our tour in the steep gorges and lush valleys. The road...

General: Watch out when driving

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

Chania is the best area in Crete for me. Excellent beaches, nice mountainsides in the centre and wonderful hospitality (altough we had a bad experience in our hotel, someone stole our IPod and digital camera while we were sleaping, so always always lock your door!). Distances are very long and roads not good. Pay extra attention on the road because the Greeks drive like crazy, very fast and dan...

General: Hike along Samaria Gorge

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

To go to Chania, we took the overnight ferry from Athens. If you don't have a cabin, board early to find a comfortable place to spend the night. Don't expect to sleep on the deck, it is too noisy even after midnight. Anyway, the trip was a bit tiring but Chania was a wonderful place. The villages, the beaches, the people, the food, everything...As I like trekking, I mostly enjoyed Samaria Gorge...

Beaches: Nice beach in central location

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

The first best thing about Germaniko Pouli beach is its closeness to the town of Chania. The second best thing is its excellent water and the soft sand. Our hotel was close to Germaniko, so we were frequently swimming there. We have been to Crete several times and have seen most of the sights on the island. This summer, we just wanted to relax. So, we would swim in Germaniko beach, go to Chania...

Beaches: Windy that day

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

Georgioupoli beach was very long and well-organized, but too windy that day we visited it, so I didn't actually enjoy it. The wild sea had brought some wracks on the beach and I didn't want to swim, so we just enjoyed our meal in a close restaurant (I think it was called Neorio, but I'm not sure).

Beaches: Pure sandy and crowded

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:54:42 GMT

Golden Beach is a pure sandy beach to go on foot from Chania, that is why it usually gets very crowded. Lots of umbrellas and sun beds, many fish restaurants and hotels, but the sea is amazing, so warm and clean. It is a great beach to start exploring the coasts of Chania. Also better go eraly in the morning or at about sunset, when there will not be many people.