The city of Chania is the capital of the prefecture and its administrative, economic, commercial and transportation centre. Since the ancient times, the city of Chania has faced many conquerors and the influences of many civilizations through time, evident on the city monuments. It is considered as one of the most beautiful cities of Greece and the most picturesque city of Crete. The Municipal Market is one of the most central spots in the city, hosted in a 1913 building. The Venetian port provides pleasant promenades through picturesque streets and attracts many visitors throughout the year. There are also many bars and restaurants by the seaside for every taste.
Elafonisi:
Elafonisi is located 76 km west of Chania and 5 km south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery and it is a Natura 2000 protected area. The island is full of dunes with sand lilies and cedar trees. The endangered turtles careta careta and several rare animals nest on the island. The sand of Elafonissi is white, but in many places it is pinkish due to the thousands of broken seashells it contains. The blue-green waters will remind you of an exotic paradise
Balos is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery.The lagoon of Balos has white sand and exotic white, vivid blue and turquoise waters. The sea is very shallow and warm, ideal for young children. In many places the sand has a lovely pinkish color, because of millions of crushed shells. Beyond the rocks at the boundaries of the lagoon, the water is deeper and colder, ideal for a snorkeling. The lagoon and the wider area, with rare species of flora and fauna, are protected under the Natura 2000 program. Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nest in the caves of the area. Moreover, the area is a shelter for the protected monk seal and the sea turtle caretta caretta. Note: Access to Balos beach is possible only by jeep or by boat.
The exotic beach of Falassarna is located 59km west of Chania and 17km west of Kissamos. It’s located in the western part of Cape Gramvousa. Falassarna bay is one of the most famous beaches in Greece, which has been awarded as the best beach of Crete and one of the 10 best beaches in Europe in the past.
Falasarna spans a huge area and consists actually of five consecutive beaches, with the two most central being the most favorite.The sand in Falassarna is white, making the water color tropical. Indeed, if you’re lucky and be here on a day that is not blowing from the west, rare in west Crete, you will be enchanted by the beach and its turquoise waters.
The Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe and also the most famous. Thousands of tourists flock there daily in the season to walk from the top to the bottom. For many, it is the sole purpose of their visit to Crete. The length of the gorges reaches 18km and takes almost 4-7 hours to hike from Omalos to Agia Roumeli.The gorge became a national park in 1962, particularly as a refuge for the rare kri-kri (Cretan goat).
The Minoan palace is the main site of interest at Knossos, an important city in antiquity, which was inhabited continuously from the Neolithic period until the 5th c. AD. The palace was built on the Kephala hill and had easy access to the sea and the Cretan interior. According to tradition, it was the seat of the wise king Minos. The Palace of Knossos is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth, with the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Ikaros.
Old venetian pThe city of Rethymno is an ideal tourist destination for visitors who wish to explore the rich cultural heritage and the natural beauties of Crete. This well-organized city offers to visitors a variety of picturesque routes to follow and numerous historical monuments to visit. The old city of Rethymno still preserves its old urban structure to a great extent, formed during the Venetian period and later reformed during the Turkish occupation.
It has been declared a protected historical monument and a traditional settlement. The Municipality actively contributes to the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the old city, and promotes a healthy tourist development and a high quality of life for its citizens through the proper management of socio-economic activities. A number of projects have been realized, or are under realization, covering all aspects of the city life linked to its history, culture and architecture. Some wonderful beaches of rethymnon :Agia galini, Preveli, damnoni, bali, agios pavlos, plakias.ort in Rethymnon, Crete
The lake is its most charming feature. Legend suggests that Athena and Armetis bathed in its waters. This lake is connected to the sea by a straight channel, while its natural surroundings of red rock and trees attract the visitor magnetically.Some wonderful beaches of AghiosNikolaos: kitroplatia, ammos, ammoudi, havania, almiros, ammoudara.