AGRICULTURE
Olives, oranges, lemons, avocados, melons, grapes, tomatoes, bananas, peaches, carobs,
wild greens (horta) and much more grow plentifully in the Chania area.
ANCIENT SITES
APTERA – 15kms from Chania, this great ancient and prosperous city was inhabited
from about 1000 BC. It was destroyed by an earthquake in AD700. Remains of a Doric and
Hellenic temple, Byzantine ruins, parts of a monastery, Roman cisterns, rock graves and a
theatre have been discovered. Fabulous view of Souda Bay from there also.
DIKTYNNA – Ruins of a 2nd century temple built for the Emperor Hadrian can be seen
today. Previously there was a Doric temple, dedicated to the nymph Diktynna on this site
which is on the north of the Rodhopou peninsular.
FALASSARNA – This ancient city once served Polyrinia as a port. It is now some 6
metres up and distant from the sea proving how the island of Crete has risen in the west.
Scattered remains of a city built around a harbour and a canal bed linking it to the sea.
IRTAKINA – near Temenia, 17kms from Paleochora, was an important autonomous city in
Hellenic times. Fountains and parts of buildings can be found amongst the overgrowth.
LISSOS – During Roman times Lissos was so rich that it minted its own gold coins. It was
also famous for its mineral springs and remains show that this place was a spa in ancient
times. There are ruins of houses, theatres and public buildings, even a snake pit for
sacrifices. West of Sougia.
POLYRINIA – 6kms from Kastelli, the ruins of a city founded in 8BC and
destroyed by the Saracens in the 9th century. Typically Dorian with a well
fortified city in the hills within sight of a port. Remains of a temple, cisterns and
burials chambers. Also the ruins of a fort rebuilt in Byzantine times.
BEACHES
There are an infinite number of places to swim and sunbathe in the area. The longest beach
stretches west from Chania town all the way to Kolimbari. Far west is Falassarna, further
south is Elafonissi. The Akrotiri has several, including Kalathas and Stavros. Kalives and
Almirida, east of Souda, are also good. The south coast beaches of Paleochora, Sougia and
Loutro are very lovely.
BOAT SERVICES
Apart from the regular ferry boat from Souda to Piraeus various services run to and from
south west resorts like Sfakia, Loutro, Agia Roumelli, Sougia and Paleochora. Also boats
go from Kastelli to Gramvoussa on the north coast.
CHURCHES
Most churches in Chania are Greek Orthodox. There is a Roman Catholic one in Halidon
Street.
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
 We have typical Mediterranean climate in the north whilst the south can be sub tropical at
times. Unpredictable winds like the hot, dry south winds carrying sand from the Sahara
affect the whole island but mostly the south. May-October is the dry season with July and
August being the hottest months. Some stormy weather occurs between November and April and
Spring is short with no gradual change to summer.
CLOTHES
Take informal, lightweight clothes with a warm jumper and jacket for cold evenings early
and late in the holiday season. Sun hats and sunglasses are recommended. Long trousers or
a longer length skirt is needed for admittance into churches and monasteries. If you plan
to walk a gorge bring good walking shoes. A torch is useful for walking unlit roads at
night and visiting caves.
DRINKS TO TRY
Local barrel wine, raki (tsikoudhia), ouzo, metaxa, iced (frappe) coffee, fruit juices,
mountain tea.
DRIVING
When driving along the national highway it is the custom to pull over into the slow lane,
across the white line, to let a car overtake you. Only use this narrow lane for this
purpose. Chania town has a one way system so look out for the many “no entry” signs.
Illegal parking brings you a hefty fine. Speed is limited to 50km within towns and the
highways will have the speed limits signed.
FOODS TO TRY
 Greek salad, yemista (stuffed vegetables), mizithra
(soft Cretan cheese), staka (warm cheese made of the cream of the milk), olives, dakos
(hard Cretan bread with oil, tomato, cheese and herb topping), pilafi (rice), stifado
(meat stew), biftekia (homemade beefburgers), brizoles (pork chops), paidakia (small lamb
chops), loukanika (spicy sausages), boureki (zuchini, potato and cheese pie) and
kaltsounia (cheese/spinach pies).
GEOGRAPHY
 There are four high mountain ranges in Crete. The Lefka Ori (White Mountains) are in the
Chania area towering to 2,452 metres at their highest. Some 51% of Crete is mountainous
and another 26% is hilly. The remaining flat land is mainly devoted to agriculture, which
next to tourism is the main industry on the island.
LANGUAGE
English is widely spoken in hotels and elsewhere, especially by young people and those in
the tourist business. Any efforts to speak Greek will, of course, be much appreciated.
MEDICAL CARE
There are many doctors and dentists in Chania who will look after you. For emergency
treatment Chania hospital is on Dragoumi street. There are also numerous pharmacists in
town who can assist you with more straightforward ailments.
MUSEUMS
Archaeological museum – Halidon street, Folklore Museum – Halidon street, Historical
Museum – Sfakianaki street, Naval Museum – Inner Harbour, San Salvatore exhibition of
Byzantine Art – Theotokopoulou street.
NATURE
BIRDS: include kestrals, hoopoe, golden oriele, swifts and swallows, crag martins, herons,
egrets, warblers, wagtails, buzzards, Lammergeier vulture and Griffon vulture.
INSECTS: include butterflies, cicadas, dung beetle, stick insect, praying mantis.
MAMMALS: include wild goat (Kri-Kri), Cretan spiny mouse, various bats, weasel, hare,
beech marten.
FLOWERS: include campion, yellow horned poppy,
orchids, yellow horned poppy, rock roses, iris, dwarf tulip, gentians, violets, crocus,
Greek yellow ox-togue, Cretan corymb, Cretan campanula.
HERBS: include sage, thyme, rosemary, oregano, dictamos.
NOTABLE DATES
 EPIPHANY (Jan 6) The blessing of Christ. Priests cast a crucifix into lakes or the sea to
be recovered by crowds of young men.
PRE-LENTEN CARNIVALS. These span three weeks, culminating on the 7th weekend
before Easter.
CLEAN MONDAY. The start of Lent. Traditionally the day to fly kites and feast on seafoods
and lenten bread.
INDEPENDENCE DAY (Mar 25). Parades through the town to commemorate the revolt against
Turkish rule in 1821.
ORANGE FESTIVAL (April) in Skines
RELIGIOUS FEAST AND SHEEP SHEARING CONTEST (23 April) at Assi Gonia
MAYDAY. A picnic day when everyone heads for the country and collects flowers.
BATTLE OF CRETE (May 20-27). The anniversary of this battle is commemorated in Chania and
various villages every year. Folk dancing and ceremonies with battle veterans as well as a
special exhibition at the Naval Museum in Chania.
NAVAL WEEK (Late June). Nautical celebrations and a firework display at the end.
FOLKLORE FESTIVAL (Sep 1-10). In Gavalochori.
GOUVERNETO MONASTERY (Oct 7). Celebrations for St John the Hermit
CHESTNUT FESTIVAL (mid October). Celebrated in Elos and other villages of the south-west
where chestnuts grow. Folk dancing and celebration of local customs.
OHI DAY (October 28). Parades, folk dancing and celebrations commemorating Metaxas’ one
word reply (no) to Mussolini’s ultimatum in 1940.
POST
Stamps can be bought where you buy your postcards, also at the roadside kiosks or at the
main post office at Tzanakaki Street. Post boxes are yellow.
PHONES
You can dial direct by buying a phone card from one of the many roadside kiosks. Phone
boxes are everywhere. Many kiosks also have metered phones. You can also call from the OTE
telephone office in Tzanakaki street, which has extended opening hours. If you are calling
within Greece, the price is reduced by about 30% weekdays 3 pm-5 pm and 10 pm-8 am, and on
weekends from 3 pm Saturday to 8 am Monday.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Jan 1 New Year’s Day
Jan 6 Epiphany
Mar 25 Independence Day
May 1 May Day
May 31 Day of the Holy Spirit
Aug 15 Assumption Day
Oct 28 ‘Ohi’ Day
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 St Stephen’s Day
Moveable dates: Clean Monday, Good Friday, Easter Monday and Ascension.
SPECIALITIES
Items you might wish to buy in Chania include: gold and silver, pottery, leather (bags,
belts and sandals etc), woven goods, icons, local honey, herbs and spices, raki
(tsikoudhia), herbal tea, local barrel wine and olive oil.
SPORTS
There are plenty of opportunities to go horse riding, hiking, windsurfing, sailing, water
skiing, cycling, play tennis, football, basketball, use a swimming pool, a gymnasium and
more…
TIME
Greek time is 2 hours ahead of UK time, 1 hour ahead of much of the rest of Europe. The
clocks go forward at the end of March and back at the end of October in line with the rest
of Europe.
TIPPING
By law a service charge is figured into the price of a meal, but it is customary to leave
an additional 8%-10%, unless you received particularly bad service. Tip porters
€ 0.30 per bag; hotel maids get about
€ 0.60 per day. Hairdressers receive 10%. Tour guides
receive about € 1.50 per day. When paying taxi drivers Greek people usually leave
an additional 8%-10%.
TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE
Found in Kriari street just off 1866 square.
TRAVEL TO AND FROM CHANIA
The airport is at Sternes on the Akrotiri peninsular, about 14kms to town. Ferry boats
come in to the port of Souda from Athens every morning, departing again every evening. The
main bus terminal is in Kydonias street, providing a service to destinations all over
Crete. Car hire outlets and taxi ranks are located all over town.
ZZzzzZZzzz…
Siesta time is from about 2pm to 5pm each day. Most shops (except tourist shops) will
close during this period. |
