Activities
- Explore the old city of Chania, walk along the narrow streets with the old building, browse through the small shops with leather goods and ceramics. Visit the main market and buy from here honey, herbs, cheese, olive oil. The Venetian, Turkish, traditional, and modern architecture coexist in harmony in the city of Chania, creating a unique and attractive scenery for the visitors. Archaeological sites, temples, squares, and unique buildings adorn this small picturesque town. The old city of Chania constitutes a unique historical monument, for which have been made many efforts by the State and the local authorities to preserve and project its historical character. Despite the intense touristic development of the last few decades, the interventions, the disasters, and the aspect of modern architecture, the old city managed to preserve its historical and its unique architectural character to a great extent.
- If you wish to buy local products or folklore products, do not omit to visit the Municipal Market of Chania (working hours: from Monday until Saturday, 08.00 - 20.00) with many traditional shops selling pure Cretan products on their shelves; gruyere, sheep's anthotyro, and manoyri, some of the most popular local cheeses, fresh vegetables, and juicy fruits, olives, herbs, thyme honey and, of course, local raki.
- Visit at the center of Chania the Cathedral of Eisodion tis Theotokou. The Temple of Eisodion, as Cathedral and Metropolitan and Protector of the City, concentrates the religious, oblative, and generally devotional interest of the godly population of Chania.
- East of Splatzia Square of the old city of Chania has located the church of Agios Nikolaos, which was built before 1320, during the Venetian Period, like the monastery of Dominican Order. During the Venetian period, it constituted the most important church in the city.
- Visit The Patriarchal Monastery of Chrysopigi, which was founded in Chania during the last period of the Venetian Period (end of 16th century) and is dedicated to Panagia Zoodocho Pigi. Every year come thousands of pilgrims from Greece and abroad to kneel the miraculous icon of Panagia.
- Visit the Ancient Kydonia (Proto-Minoan settlement of Kasteli). The modern city of Chania is founded on the site of a significant ancient Minoan settlement, Kydonia or ku-do-ni-ja as it appears on Linear B script. According to the tradition, Kydonia was one of the three cities founded by King Minos in Crete. The settlement that is presently excavated in the city of Chania has as center the hill of Kasteli and is the most important of the prefecture. Large habitations with well-built rooms, elegant floors with circular cavities- fireplaces, coated walls with deep red mortar, door frames, and ceramics of excellent quality are some of the findings that indicate the existence of a significant proto-Minoan center. The extended excavations in the archaeological site of Kasteli, which constitutes one of the most important monuments of the prehistoric period of Crete, are carried out since 1966 until today by the 25th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. Some of the most important findings of the excavation are available in Chania Archaeological Museum.
- Visit the Archaeological Museum of Chania. The Archaeological Museum of Chania was founded in 1963 and is located at the place of the Venetian Monastery of Agios Fragiskos in Halidon Street in Chania. The collection of the museum includes findings from excavations in several areas of the city that have been performed during the last 50 years, and its exhibits cover the cultural history of Chania from the neolithic period till the Roman Empire.
- Pay a visit to Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Collection. It is located in the internal part of the north-western side of the fortification walls that was renamed to Monastery of Saint Salvatore. The exhibition is focused on the historical and artistic identity of the region of Chania during the Byzantine and Post-Byzantine periods.
- Visit The Nautical Museum of Crete, which is located at the entrance of the historical fortress "Firka". It was founded in 1973 in order to promote the nautical traditions and history of the island. The Museum cooperates and interacts with other Nautical Museums in Greece and abroad.
- Visit the Folklore Museum of Chania – Cretan House. The Folklore Museum of Chania is located at the center of the old city of Chania, in Halidon Street, next to the Catholic church. It includes folklore and traditional exhibits that allow the visitor to have a representative picture of the way of life of older residents of the island during the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Visit the house that Eleftherios Venizelos was born - one of the most important politicians of Greece - which is located in Mournies of Chania. The house of Venizelos today has been transformed into a Museum, in which many personal objects of the ethnarch El. Venizelos and Cretan history are exposed.
- Within the geographical borders of the Municipality of Chania, 11 beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag (Stalos, Agii Apostoli 1, Agii Apostoli 2, Chrissi Akti, Agia Marina, Kalamaki, Nea Chora, Marathi, Stavros, Agios Onoufrios, Kalathas). Don't miss to explore a few of them.
- 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.
- At Therisos located the Historical and Folklore Museum of Therisos. This Museum was founded in 1985 and is located in the building that was used as the headquarters of Eleftherios Venizelos. The museum hosts objects of that period, archives and photographic material, armament, as well as personal objects of Eleftherios Venizelos.
- In case of some great Monasteries nearby Chania. The Patriarchal Monastery of Agia Triada Tsagarolon is one of the most important monasteries of the end of the Venetian Empire in Crete with a great contribution to the History and Education of the island. It is located on the foot of Stavros mountain chain, in the area "Tzompomilos" of Meleha cape.
- Another worth visit Monastery is the Gouverneto Monastery or Lady of Angels which is one of the oldest monasteries of Crete and constitutes a sample of orthodoxy monasterial architecture. It was built in 1537 an altitude of 260 meters by monks of the Catholic church that abandoned the place due to piracy.
- The monastery of Timios Prodromos is located in Korakies of Akrotiri. It is a historical woman's cloth monastery that is known to local people as the monastery of nuns. The monastery was destroyed many times by the different conquerors of Crete and thus the valuable files that could help for the precise dating of the monastery were lost.
- Visit one of the best wineries in Crete, Greece. Manousakis Winery has been producing its 100% organic wines under the brand name Nostos since 1997. The winery is situated just 15 minutes (driving) from the city of Chania in the village of Vatolakkos. Enjoy a winery tour.
- Go hiking through the Samaria Gorge, 18km long, that ends up on the south coast, at the village of Agia Roumeli, It takes 5-6 hours to pass it, so be prepared, take with you a snack, your hat, hiking shoes and an abundant supply of water.
- Next to Samaria gorge is the gorge of Agia Irini, this is a shorter and easier one. It ends up at the Sougia Village also on the south coast.
- Go for climbing or just hiking at White Mountains (Lefka Ori) on the slope of Gingilos(2000 m), reached from Omalos.
- Visit the peninsula of Chania. There are three monasteries up there. Agia Triada, Gouverneto, and a ruined one, Katholiko, You need to hike from Gouverneto to Katholiko, the path is short and easy, and you get impressed when you face the ruined monastery in front of you. Very close to Katholiko is a small beach, a perfect place for swimming.
- For sunbathing, we propose Falasarna Beach, a long beach 4 km long, on the west coast. A part of the beach is well organized with umbrellas and sunbeds, this part attracts many people, but the rest of the beach is very quiet, The beach is so long that you will find a nice place to relax.
- Or maybe you prefer to drive a bit further for a truly idyllic beach, drive 2 hours southwest to Elafonisi, we prefer the Kedrodasos (cedar forest).
- Take the ferry to Gramvousa Island one of the small satellite islands of Crete. It is situated on the northwest side of the island and can be reached by boat in about an hour from the town of Kastelli Kissamos. The ferry that will take you there leaves in the morning and sails close to the coastline allowing you to take a good look at the landscape and the phenomenon of land elevation by six to nine meters above sea level (you can see the difference in the color of the rocks - the west of Crete has been rising out of the sea while the east has been sinking for the last 2000 years).
- More uplifting activities in Chania region.
House Rules
- Check-in: 13.00 pm
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season
- Payment Policy: Please check here
- Cancellation Policy: Please check here
MHTE: 1042KO13A0128400
How To Get There
Porto Veneziano Hotel is located in the Old Town of Chania. All the main attractions are easily accessible on foot and the closest beach is about 1.5 km away.
- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Chania (17 km from the Hotel) and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion (140 km). 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 (8 km from the Hotel), or Heraklion port (140 km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries from 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 Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.
- By Taxi
Book your taxi 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 offers breakfast, which is included in the rate. There is also a bar for drinks and light snacks
- Internet Access: Free WiFi throughout
- Swimming Pool: Not available
- Spa Treatments: Not available
- Disabled Access: One of the double/twin standard rooms is for disabled guests
- Pets: Small Pets are allowed by prior arrangement
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English, German, French, Italian
- Parking: Public parking nearby
- Good to Know: All rooms are non-smoking