Chania, Crete, has the full package!
- Clyde
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
Chania, The Western part of Crete Island, is a unique place with thousands of people ready to visit again & again or even start a new life here.
I moved from Athens to Crete, back in 2005 & since then, I have been living in & exploring Chania & the island of Crete as a whole. My family, from my father's side, connects me with this beautiful island & I have been visiting Chania, since I was a small kid.
With a population of approximately 160.000 people, Chania has almost half of Heraklion’s population (the modern capital of the island). Yet, the Chania prefecture is only a touch smaller geographically than Heraklion ( 2.376 sq.km. vs 2.641 sq.km ). That means that in Heraklion, the population density is 121 people/sq.km., while in Chania it is 67 people/sq.km. Fewer people & lower density mean smaller cities, more open spaces & natural areas.
The variety of landscapes in the Chania prefecture is impressively rich. Namely: fertile mountain plateau's, a massive mountain range with over 30 peaks over 2.000 meters altitude, several NATURA 2000 protected areas of great importance, one of the longest gorges in all Europe (Samaria Gorge), some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, underwater caves & the only freshwater lake of Crete.
It is a palette of biodiversity that hosts some unique species of flora & fauna, found nowhere else in Greece.
Chania crete, has the full package.
1. Mountains, Gorges & Hiking paths
The White Mountains of Chania are a mountain range visible from almost everywhere in the province. It covers more than half the surface area of Chania's prefecture & a part of Rethymno's. Its highest peak (Pachnes) with elevation 2.453 meters is the second tallest in Crete, surpassed only by 3 meters in height, by Psiloritis Mountain pick in Rethymno.
There are dozens of Gorges in Chania of varying difficulty level, length or terrain, making the destination an absolute must for all hiking lovers.
The most famous among all is the Samaria Gorge. With 13kms. length from entrance to exit, it is one of the longest in all Europe and part of the National Park Of Samaria that estd. in 1962.
The gorge opens its gates to visitors around the beginning of May, according to the weather conditions, and closes them at the end of October before the rainy season begins.
Some other famous gorges are Imbros, Agia Irini, Aradena, Diktamos, amongst others.
The E4 Hiking path ,with its 10.450kms length (11.773kms including detours & alternatives routes) is the longest European trail. In Crete, it starts from Kissamos (North West of Chania) & follows the Western coastline to the South. Many parts of the trail, especially along the south coast of Chania are very demanding, requiring a lot of experience in hiking and/or a local guide.
2. The Blue Sea Water & Amazing Beaches
In Chania, there are some of the most beautiful, sensitive, famous & undiscovered beaches of the whole island. Many of them, thankfully, are already under the NATURA 2000 seal of protection - but this is not enough, as the over tourism phenomenon is more than visible and has it's harmful effects even in these areas.
Read about the problems that over tourism has create to our beaches here:
The crystal clear waters and the sea life (among them sea-turtles, seals, etc.), attract every year thousands of people who love swimming, beach life, free camping and water activities.
The South coast line (Libyan Sea) & the North coast line (Cretan Sea) have shores settled with the endemic Cretan Juniper, archaeological sites or hidden fjords accessible sometimes only by boat. These are only a few of the hidden gems that you'll uncover if you have enough time to explore the island, as plenty of time is needed for a proper discovery.
3. The Mediterranean Diet and Cuisine
The Mediterranean Diet, the world’s healthiest according to scientists, is a nutritious eating plan. Its biggest distinctions among other diets are the ingredients & the cooking methods used.
Plant-based foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices are the foundations of the diet.
Olive oil is the diet's King and the main source of added fat.
Fish, seafood, dairy & poultry are included in moderation.
Traditionally, red meat & sweets are eaten on occasion only, in social or religious celebrations. (However, this is no longer the case nowadays where meat is often consumed daily.)
Chania and Crete in large have a extensive production of virgin olive oil. Olive harvesting by whole families it is still a tradition in the Autumn - Winter seasons, just like the old days.
A couple of years ago, we released our:
A tour that we are really proud of!
It is an ode to the Cretan gastronomy, the local culture & the people still living in the villages. This a lifetime experience you'll never forget, not a plain touristy downtown food tour!
4. Beer, Wine, Tsikoudia (Raki)
The tradition of making your own home alcoholic drink, wine or tsikoudia (the Cretan spirit also known as raki based on grapes skins), has very deep roots in Crete.
For years now, home brewing is also becoming a newfound tradition for the younger generations, an activity which is getting bigger & more popular every year. The growing love for quality beer, has made way today to count 6 breweries in Chania.
You may find detailed information about
Chania Breweries on our blog:
Being travellers & beer lovers ourselves,
we created back in 2021 the first ever
Craft Beer Walking Tours of Greece, in Chania & Rethymno, Crete.
We, at Bonnie and Clyde Urban Tours, are specialists in creating craft beer menus, according to the restaurant's profile, the clientele, the food menu or even train the staff about the secrets of beer and how to pair it with food.
Wine production in Chania is a big chapter.
There are big or bigger scale wineries to visit & positively must be dozens of smaller scale & countless home winemakers all around the prefecture. Together, they make Chania, a serious destination for wine lovers.
Tsikoudia is a distilled spirit from grapes (also known as raki, a name given by the Ottomans during Crete's occupation) and a must-have in every home, tavern, restaurant or coffee shop. The distillation season begins late October and lasts about a month.
If you are lucky enough to be invited in a kazani (in Greek: the distilling boiler) gathering,
you will live a true mystagogy.
5. Micro-Climates and Natural Beauties
The unique position of Crete's island, very close to Europe, Africa and Asia continents, the island's geographical orientation and shape, the high mountains, the exposure to sea & strong winds blowing from every direction, all have created through centuries a rare & complicated system of different microclimates.
In a very short distance, the scenery can change drastically.
This phenomenon is more obvious on the Western & Eastern edges of the island, where the winds are stronger.
In Chania, there is thick snow & ice on
the White Mountains range during Winter time, desert sandy beaches, junipers by the sea, sensitive eco-systems,
sea lagoons with shallow waters, gorges, rivers, a freshwater lake and rich flora of herbs, flowers, & wild mushrooms.
6. Cretan Hospitality: Part of the local's DNA (at least the elders)
In Chania (and Crete in general) you can still say “Γεια - Yeia - Hello!” or “Καλημέρα - Kalimera - Good morning” to local people or share a big smile with them, which they will return wholeheartedly immediately.
Even though people are changing a lot year after year, especially now, Cretan hospitality has proven to have very deep roots.
To be offered wine, coffee or tsikoudia simply because you entered a coffee shop while the locals are there drinking or chatting, is just magical.
This generous habit is still alive mostly in the mountain villages & occasionally in the cities.
No need to mention the epic arguments in small coffee shops or country taverns when the bill comes, as everyone wants to pay for everybody else!
A visit to Crete will help you understand the true meaning of hospitality, even to this day.
if you're still wondering... “Why Chania?”
Irresistible natural beauties
Different microclimates
Delicious & healthy cuisine based on olive oil
Local made craft beer, wine & tsikoudia
Beaches that cover the whole palette of desires
Hospitality
Last but not least: the iconic Venetian Harbour of Chania, the icing on the cake.
In Bonnie and Clyde Urban Tours we collaborate only with local businesses & choose local products to offer to our guests while creating memorable lifetime experiences.
Our Tours in Chania & Rethymno (and soon in Athens), are always in small or private groups & promoting a non-touristy way of travel ( away from an out-of-date over tourism model, big scale Tour Operators & huge all-inclusive resorts).
By respecting the Earth & Sea which surround us and acting with sustainable criteria, we give ourselves the chance to live a quality life and rescue our planet landscape for the future generations.
So what are you waiting for? Come on down, Chania Crete has the full package!
- Clyde
Must-visit island in Greece! sounds like the most amazing Greek island! would you recommend spending a whole week or more there?