Destinations

The city of Chania, the second biggest city of Crete, invites you to explore every little corner and street. In this city, you can do and see many things that will surely enchant you. In the centre of the city, you will find our offices, visit us for helping you with each question you may have. You probably think that a few days are enough for this city, but believe us you need to stay more than a week to enjoy it as much as possible. Picturesque alleys, Venetian mansions, and many other hidden gems you will discover walking through the cobblestone streets of the Old City.

After your walk around the Old City and your visit to Topana region, where Christians gathered when Turks had settled on the eastern part of the city, you should visit the Old Port and the Egyptian lighthouse built by the Venetians. It is well worth walking all the way along the arm to see the superb view from the harbour and photograph with the view and the lighthouse. Unfortunately, the lighthouse itself is closed so you can’t go up the tower.

Around the Old Harbour, you will find many possible choices for food, coffee, traditional taverns, all kinds of accommodation options, αs well as, old buildings, museums, churches and craft shops. First of all, visit “Yali Tsamisi”, the building in the middle of the Old Harbour, and one of the most famous monuments in Chania. “Yali Tsamisi” was the first mosque built by Ottomans in Crete and was a Muslim place of worship until 1923. The architecture style of the building is Arabic and now is used for art exhibitions.

Visit the wonderful Maritime Museum from the other side of the harbour, at the entrance of the historical fortress “Firka”. It has a permanent collection of about 2,500 exhibits, organised in chronological order and it is absolutely worth visiting. This is by no means only for maritime mavens, but for all who would like to learn in less an hour all the Crete’s maritime past.

Visit the Archaeological Museum which is located at the place of the Venetian Monastery of Agios Fragiskos in Halidon Street. The collection of the museum includes findings from excavations in several areas of the city and they cover the history of Chania from the neolithic period till the Roman Empire. It is well worth visiting and appealing not only to archaeologists but all of us.

Visit Tabakaria, east of Chania, a historic area and home to old tanneries, the small leather craft businesses which remained active till the end of the 1970s. The area was chosen because it was just a few minutes away from the city centre and lay by the sea. The water was used to treat and soften the leather. Tabakaria constitutes a unique architectural complex that is really worth visiting and admiring it.

Visit the Etz Hayyim Synagogue, the only surviving Jewish monument in Crete. In the synagogue, you can find a library 4,500 volumes, including the complete history of the Jewish people, as well as Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the world.

If you would like to admire a magnificent view of the city, visit Venizelos Graves in an excellent location of the hill of Prophet Elias, just a few minutes away from Chania.

If you are lucky enough, you will find some cultural events organised by the municipality during the summer period. Various music and theatrical performances are available in the public gardens and at the open-air theatre of the city.

Elafonisi is located 75 km southwest of the city of Chania and is one of the most known beaches in the world. You will reach the region by driving around 90 km from Chania’s International Airport. We recommend you to choose Suzuki Jimny or Vitara for this trip. You will need less than two hours to reach your destination. The route from Chania to Elafonisi is beautiful and it is worth experiencing by car.

Elafonisi is also a Natura 2000 protected part as it is a habitat of the caretta-caretta sea turtle and other creatures and plant species. The place is home to 110 plant species. Elafonisi is basically a sandy peninsula and is known for its beauty and exotic landscape that reminds of the Caribbean. This is the reason that many people call it “The Caribbean Sea of the Crete”. If you would like to walk, you can find Kedrodasos a few minutes away, a peaceful beach full of cedar trees dominating all over the beach creating a wild and unique scenery.The Crystal blue waters, the pink sand that has been created by crushed shells, and the shallow calm waters create a unique setting in Elafonisi.

The above are only some of the reasons that make this place worth visiting. The beach on the open sea is a great place for watersports like windsurfing and is ideal for both couples and family. As the waters do not exceed 1m in depth in many points, the beach is perfect for children. Parents will feel confident enough to allow their children to play without disturbing them while they will enjoy their swim. If you would like, you can easily cross the opposite side of the peninsula and visit the other more peaceful side of Elafonisi.

If you would like to visit Elafonisi, we recommend you to avoid the hours of 11:00 to 16:00 because these times, the place attracts thousands of visitors and it is overcrowded. So, if you want to enjoy more this beach, choose the early morning hours or the evening ones. Also, it is better to bring your own umbrellas with you because you might not find any available on the beach.

Falassarna is located west of the city of Chania and is one of the best-known beaches. You will reach the region by driving around 70 km from Chania’s International Airport. We recommend you to choose Suzuki Jimmy or Vitara for this trip. The route is lovely and easy, and you will just drive less than one hour and fifteen minutes to reach your destination.

Falassarna isn’t, actually, one but five consecutive beaches with Pachia Ammo to be the largest and best known. Even if it is usually visited and overcrowded by many locals and tourists, because of its length, it never seems crowded. The beach has received many awards in the past for its beauty and services.

The lovely white sand, the green-blue waters and the stunning landscape will surely leave you speechless. You will enjoy swimming in the water and you will feel an absolute pleasure and a piece of happiness.

The beach offers umbrellas, sunbeds and a few snack bars and cafes, where you can get coffee, refreshments, food and water. However, there are places free, if you prefer to put your own umbrella and towel on the sand. The area is also known for its watersports such as windsurfing and canoeing due to its winds. There is also a court for beach volley for everyone who loves playing sports on the beach.

Falassarna is also the ideal place for couples and romantic moments. If you have time, stay late enough at the beach to enjoy the charming sunset. It is considered to be the best in Crete as there is nothing disturbing the sea view. Enjoy the moment with your other half and spend your most beautiful moments together.

If you are lucky enough and a party is organised this day, visit it and take part in one of the greatest beach parties that youths organised since 1995.

Heraklion is the biggest city of Crete and the fifth city of Greece. The city invites you to discover all its hidden secrets and beauties that will surely amaze you.

Heraklion is the biggest city of Crete and the fifth city of Greece. The city invites you to discover all its hidden secrets and beauties that will surely amaze you. In the centre of the city, you will also find our offices, visit us for helping you with each question you may have.

First of all, visit Koules Venetian Fortress which is located on the harbour walls, at the end of “25th of August” street. The amazing building and its impressive stone mass is the pleasure of viewers. The fortress was built by Venetians in the early 1500s for increasing the safety of the harbour. Nowadays, Koules is used as an archaeological site and you can visit the interior to find out more for its history. After your visit, you can enjoy walking all the way along the arm of the harbour.

Visit the Archaeological Museum that includes Phaistos Disc and findings from Knossos, Archanes, Phaestos, Zakros and many other archaeological sites of Crete covering over 5500 years of the island’s history. The museum is one of the most important museums of its kind in the world and it is worth visiting.

Another important museum is the Historical Museum of Heraklion. Visit this museum and learn all the history from early Christian times to the present day. The collections are ordered chronologically and by subject and are combined with visual material and multimedia. The most popular exhibits of the museum are these about the Cretan artist, Domenikos Theotokopoulos, most known as EL Greco.

One thing you shouldn’t miss, is the most popular square in Heraklion, Lion Square. This is a meeting point of many locals every day and the square with the famous Morosini fountain with the four lions. The fountain was built by the Venetian Doge Francesco Morosini in 1628. Take a photo with Lions Square in the background or visit one of the cafes around the fountain to admire the square sipping your coffee or eating the known “bougatsa”, a pastry filled with salty or sweet cream.

Just 50 meters away from Lions Square, you will meet the Venetian Loggia on your right. Loggia was completed in 1628 and used to be a meeting place for the Duke and the officials of Crete. Loggia is now the city hall of Heraklion. It is worth walking inside and taking a quick look.

The most important place to visit in Heraklion is, without doubt, the Palace of Knossos. Many people all around the world come every year in the city only to visit this place. It is the most important example of the Minoan civilization, which peaked from approximately 1700 BC until 1450 BC. There are many myths and legends around this place such as the tale of Minotaur’s maze and the tale of Daedalus and Icarus. The impeccable architecture, the buildings’ materials, the colourful frescoes and many other things will surely amaze you. It is really worth visiting this beautiful palace.