| The city is divided in two parts: the
old and the new with wide streets and beautiful buildings. The scenic
back streets of the old city attract many visitors who stroll to Neoria,
the Marine Museum and the wharf. The old harbor is one
of Crete's prettier places, since great amounts of money have been
spent for restoration of the old buildings and some of them are transformed
into modern lodgings, elegant restaurants, cafes, bars and other shops.
Every neighbourhood of the city offers its own attractions (e.g. Evraiki
will impress you with the old Vemetian church of Saint Francis
which has been transformed today into the Archeological Museum. At
Halepa, the tall fensed enclosures hiding behind them forgotten mansions
with lovely palm and banana trees, etc.
Other sights worth seeing:
the Municipal Garden, the Municipal Market and Gallery which is housed
at the City Hall Building and where you can see Elefterios Venizelos'
personal library. Among others: visit Topana, the western district
(where during the Turkish period high society lived). Hania comes
alive in the evening. |
The harbor lights reflected into the calm
sea, the ancient paved walks crowded with people, music sounds everywhere,
cafes and bars await you to revel in, till exhaustion. From Hania
the road west takes you to Kastelli (Kissamou). You will go through
coastal cosmopolitan regions throbbing of life all summer long. Your
real wandering starts at Kastelli, the busy port where the caiques
leave for the small island of Ghramvoussa, at the edge of the peninsula.
Visit it, then go to Falassarna, where you are going to see the ruins
of the ancient city and swim in one of the best beaches of the island.
If you like to continue, the road takes you through small rural villages
and the verdant landscape becomes savage as you approach the Topoliano
gorge, you traverse it and the road brings you to Hryssoskalitissa
and Elaphonissi. |
The Monastery (of Hryssoskalitissa) is built on a white hill
and offers an amazing view towards the Libyan coast.
A little further south, Elaphonissi, covered in all shades of pink, invites
you. Immerse yourself in the indolent charm of its vast sandy beach.
In the nome of Hania there are approximately four hundred fifty
isles, most of them remote and uninhabited. The surrounding villages
will charm you as well with their astounding appeal.
Seashores:
Nearest the city good beaches with clear waters, Almyritha (2 1/2
miles); Kalathas (about the same distance), Chryssi Akti, Aghioi
Apostoloi, Stalo, Aghia Marina, Platanias and the Nea Chora Beach
(appr. 3 miles) which every year is presented with the blue flag
for cleansiness and facilitation.
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General Information for Hania