Make a holiday rental, home or villa in Chania, Crete your home away from home
Chania (Hania) is a staggeringly beautiful Municipality of northern Crete. Despite being the smallest Municipality, it attracts a disproportionate number of tourists due to its unbelievable beauty, deep cultural and historic heritage and friendly welcome. Due to its long and hostile history, there are traces of many different cultures in the rich tapestry of the area’s architecture, cuisine and culture. A Chania villa or property will guarantee a beautiful relaxing holiday in Crete, with the privacy and space needed to fully explore and enjoy the region, which a Chania hotel would not be able to provide.
Places to holiday in Chania, Crete
Chania has two distinct parts. The Old Town is considered the most beautiful urban area in Crete, with particular emphasis on the Venetian Harbour and Eleftherios Venizelos Square. It is surrounded by narrow alleys and charming buildings and Chania villas. There are a huge number of places of interest in Chania, including the Byzantine Walls, Government house of the Venetians, Turkish Baths, Dominican Monastery of St Nicholas, 15th century lighthouse, Greek Orthodox Cathedral and the Great Shipyard.
Almirida is a small fishing village at the end of Souda Bay, which has only recently been subject to development. This has meant that development has been tasteful, and retains the character of the village. It is surrounded by blissful beaches, charming villages, 215 caves and important historical sites. A Chania villa here offers a little of everything that is best about Crete.
If you are looking to rent a holiday villa in Chania to really escape the tourist traps and get away from it all, a villa in Livadia is what you are looking for. It is a tiny village on the Western tip of Crete, with spectacular rugged, rocky coastline dotted with caves, coves and unspoilt beaches. Hire a boat to explore the coast and fish, and snorkel at the pink coral beach of Elafonisi.
Vamos is an ancient village on the Rethymno peninsula, which has been restored and the traditional houses and Chania holiday villas renovated. It is now a fascinating place to stay with real Cretan culture and fine beaches to boot.
Things to do on a Chania, Crete holiday
The first thing to note about Chania is the Venetian Harbour and the waterfront restaurants, in which you can eat slowly and soak up the atmosphere of this part of the wonderful island of Crete. For an introduction to the history and culture of Crete, the Naval Museum is by no means only for naval enthusiasts.
There are many regular excursions from Chania into Crete’s mountains and Samaria Gorge for climbing and mountain hikes. A Chania villa provides the perfect base for not only expeditions into Crete’s mountains, but also longer term trips into mainland Greece.
The coastal area is dotted by fabulous little beaches, where you can wash away all the cares in the world, and totally recuperate. These are not large tourist beaches, but stunning, secluded timeless stretches of sand where the clear waters lap quietly.
If you want to visit other places in Greece rent one of our cheap villas in Rhodes to make your summer holidays in the Mediterranean memorable. Also check out our travel ideas page to find more inspiration about family holidays in Greece and cheap Greek holidays.
Weather in Chania, Crete
Chania (Hania) has a mild Mediterranean climate, where seasonal temperature variations are small. Summer averages are around 27°C, although some days may reach 35°C, and winters average around 12°C.
Travel to Chania, Crete
Chania International Airport (CHQ) on the Akrotiri Peninsula takes direct cheap flights from the UK daily between April and November. During the rest of the year, cheap flights to Chania may be routed via Athens. Chania’s port, Souda receives daily ferries from Piraeus.
