Chania - Crete

Chania (or Hania) is the second largest town in Crete. A beautiful and picturesque city with reminders of the past at every corner and the Venetian infuence clear.

The capital
Hania is the capital of the Prefecture of Hania and it is the administrative, economical, communications and commercial center of the Prefecture. The bay of Suda that serves as the port of Hania, is the biggest and safest bay in the East Mediterranean and there is a daily ferry connection with Piraeus. The airport of Hania is located at Sternes, in Akrotiri, 14 km east of the town. Hania is connected by air to Athens and several countries from all over Europe through charter flights during the summer.

History
Chania (Kydonia) identified with the ancient city of Kydonia, was one of the most important cities of the Minoan period. Since 1966, the 25th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities has been conducting salvage and systematic excavations, while an important part of the city is excavated in collaboration with the Swedish Archaeological Institute in Athens. Some of the most important finds from the city are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Chania. The most important monuments of the site are: Part of a Minoan villa with an "adyton" decorated with wall-paintings. Minoan houses of the central part of the ancient city. Rock-cut chamber tombs preserved in built and unbuilt areas of the modern city.

Beaches
The variety and extent of Cretes coastline make it possible for bathers to enjoy an infinite number of different places to swim, all of them lapped by warm, crystal clear water. West from Chania starts a beach which extends to 20 km and beaches Kolimbari, other beaches are Agioi Apostoloi, Galatas, Agia Marina and Platanias. Northwest on Akrotiri is the beach of Stavros, while east are Kalami, Kalives, Almirida and Plaka. Water sports are also available in the majority of them.

Entertainment
You are sure to keep you entertained until the early hours Popular nightclub, piano bar, and dancing can be found at city of Chania and all the tourist areas. Clubs offering live music and local dances (clubs specializing in Greek music played on bouzouki) are located at city of Chania.