Activities
- Walk and explore Chania's historic and picturesque old town with narrow streets and old buildings with different architectural styles. Visit the maritime museum on the west side of the port and walk along with the port till Arsenal where is situated the Arsenali Centre of Mediterranean Architecture that organizes exhibitions and has a primary goal to promote the Meditteranean arts.
- Visit the Municipal Market, the huge building of 4,000 sq.m. on Hatzimichalis Giannari, it is one of the most modern monuments of the city of Chania. Built-in 1913 on the bastion Piatta Forma, in the middle of the walls of the Venetian period. Until the late 19th century in the Municipal Market of Chania were roughly established butchers, fishmongers, and vegetable shops, an outdoor street market, where the villagers brought their products to sell.
In 1908 the municipality decided to groom the party building the Chania Municipal Market. It has a cross shape and four gates, one on each wing. It houses 76 shops arranged in groups in the four arms of the cross.
The official inauguration of the Municipal Market of Chania made by the then Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos in 1913, shortly before the Battle of Crete in May 1941, was completed and the anti-aircraft shelter in the southeast part of the Municipal Market of Chania. During the occupation, the Municipal Market of Chania was used by the Germans for the needs of the occupying army.
- Explore the Old Venetian Harbor with the lighthouse is a hallmark of the city of Chania. Today attracts many visitors and the inhabitants, during the summer months. Many restaurants, taverns, cafes, bars along the beach are ideal for relaxing hours of leisure and entertainment. Built by the Venetians from 1320 until 1356. Manufactured in Firka fort at the harbor entrance in the west and is enhanced by the Bastion of St. Nicholas of Molos on the breakwater. In the Ottoman period the Venetian harbor, although constituted a trade center, left to its fate. Only in the years of Egyptian occupation (1831-1841) starts again repair works and refurbished and the lighthouse.
From the late 19th century the Venetian port is unable to serve the largest ships of the era and gradually abandoned and used the large natural port of Souda which today serves the commercial and passenger traffic in western Crete.
Worth seeing the Venetian harbor from west to east: The Bastion fortress the Naval Museum, The Santrivani (Eleftherios Venizelos Square), The Yali Mosque (the oldest Muslim edifice of Crete), The Byzantine walls of Kastelli hill, The Great Arsenal, The Venetian dockyards, The Bastion St. Nicholas of Molos on the breakwater, The Lighthouse.
- From the pretty small fishing harbor of Chania, regular boat trips run in summer to the island of Agii Theodoroi, a wild goat or kri-kri sanctuary, for snorkeling and swimming.
- Swim. The nearest beach is 500m away, Agii Apostgolli Beach is 4 km, and the famous long beach of Agia Marina is 7km away. Or maybe you prefer the enclosed waters of Marathi bay, on the Akrotiri peninsula.
- Also on Akrotiri peninsula, beyond the airport, there are two very impressive monasteries, inhabited by a few monks, and both are opened to appropriately dressed visitors in the morning and late afternoon, Agia Triada or Jakaoron, renowned for its traditions this unique olive oil is produced, and the historic monastery of Gouvernetou the more remote which resembles a castle, with towers which served to defend it from raiders.
- Beyond Gouvernetou lies a wonderful hiking trail to the cliff chapel of Katholikon and an azure-watered inlet below. The aquamarine water would be very inviting for a swim before the climb back up to Gouverneto Monastery if this were not strictly prohibited by the monks.
- If you are looking for more quiet beaches, Falasarna is a very long beach that is located on the west part of the island, 44km from your hotel, What makes this beach so unique, is the length, you can walk along the sandy beach for a lot of time. Or drive 2 hours southwest to Elafonisi (try and get there before the afternoon crowds), or 1 hour west the well-known Balos Beach (the latter requires a short hike or a boat from Kastelli).
- For a trip by car I would suggest: To "Therissos" - you drive through a beautiful gorge. The village itself is historic and has some good tavernas like "Andartis". But if you have time, you can continue further to Zourva and come down to Chania again via Meskla. This is a spectacular drive (if the atmosphere is clear and not too hazy), marked on some maps as unpaved - but it is now paved. Just after Zourva, there is a taverna on its own with glass windows with 360 views and good local food.
- Join the fascinating cooking workshops at Miia Traditional Village, a great introduction to Cretan to seasonal cooking and the culture of Cretan gastronomy - cuisine.
- Or maybe you would like to visit one of the best wineries in Crete, Manousakis Winery.
- Samaria Gorge is the longest gorge in Europe, if you like gorges, walk through this gorge and the experience will be unique. It is a long gorge, 16km, and you need about 6 hours to pass it, which means that it is not allowed to walk the long way if you have any health problem. If you think that 16km is too many, you can see the last part of the gorge. You have to drive to Chora Sfakion and then you take the boat to Agia Roumeli, where is the exit of the gorge, you just have to walk a few kilometers in the gorge, at least till the most narrow point "portes".
- Next to Samaria gorge, there is another gorge, shorter but very beautiful because it is very narrow in some points. This is Imbros gorge and you need just 2 hours to pass it. You can combine this walk, with swimming in Fragokastelo beach, as it is very close to the exit of the gorge.
- For those who love horse riding, there is a horse riding center in Akrotiri, that organizes daily excursions in that area. You just need to make a reservation.
- Explore Rethymno's old town and especially the waterfront and streets just behind. Walk along the harbor wall to the Venetian lighthouse. The Fortezza (fortress) was built by the Venetians (1573) to protect the city. Not only are walls, church and the remains of its buildings of interest, the views from it to the town are a great way to start planning your tour of the town. There are also sweeping sea views. Open daily.
- Don't miss to visit Rethimnon's Archaeological Museum which occupies a building almost directly opposite the entrance to the fortress. It's worth a look especially if you are going to the bigger museums in other towns. Here you could enjoy Minoan pottery and sarcophagi and lots of Roman coins, jewelry, pots, and statues, all from Rethimno province. Take a look at an unusual unfinished Roman statue of Aphrodite.
- Head South from Rethymno to the sandy Palm Beach of Preveli, a sand-filled cove right at the end of the Kourtaliotiko gorge, where a freshwater estuary feeds a little oasis complete with palm grove and the cluster of oleanders ( at the beginning and the end of the season it is lovely).
- More uplifting activities in Chania region
House Rules
- Check-in: 14.00 - 20.00 pm
- Check out: 08.00 - 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 1-2 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy: Please check here
- Cancellation Policy: Please check here
MHTE: 10 42 K 06 0A 0033701
How To Get There
Belmondo Hotel is located in the old city of Chania, very close to the old Harbour.
- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Chania (15km ) and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion (144km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.
- By Sea
"The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania-Souda port (7km) or Heraklion Port (143km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.
- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.
- By Taxi
Book your transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our website
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com
Facilities
- Dining: The hotel serves a great breakfast on the balcony of the (rear) entrance courtyard or taken in your room.
- Internet Access: Free WiFi throughout
- Swimming Pool: No
- Disabled Access: Not suitable. The hotel does not provide any lift because of the architectural design, and guests have to use the stairs to go to the upper floors.
- Pets: Not allowed
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English, German
- Parking: The old town area is pedestrian-only. So you park at the nearest street or in a car parking area. We will give directions.
