EXPLORE AND EXPERIENCE
Let's make a list
Sights in the area
Welcome to our neighborhood! it has been called the neighborhood of Plathia Rouga since long time ago. From when the town of Chania, surrounded by the Venetian walls of architect Shammichelli suffocated in its narrow alleys. It is here that the place widened to form a well lit courtyard in the front of the Byzantine chapel of Saint Irene. The children of the old neighborhood played their games without caring about religion. They played, smelling the rusk that was baked day and night, two steps further down in Kirousis's bakery. On Sundays, christian children would light their candle here, in the chapel of Saint Irene and Turkish children would run to the call of the imam from the Agha mosque which appears from the windows of the J&G Suites in the street opposite the building. Nearby, opposite the Agha mosque, they where assembled once again in order to continue their game in the courtyard of the convert of the Augustine order, Santa Maria Della Misericordia (Virgin Mary of Mercy) that was destroyed in 1538 and was rebuild in later times. Two steps eastward and when there was a feast, they run to Splantzia, the biggest square inside the walls of the town, Hiougar Tzamisi (the mosque of the Sovereign) was situated there. Older still under Venetian occupation in 1320 it was the abbey of Saint Nicholas of the Dominican order. In our days it is one of the few temples in which bell-tower and minaret coexist. Here in Splantzia square can also be found the Venetian temple of Saint Rokkos protector of the city from the plaque of 1630. In our neighborhood, in our days now, Mrs Georgia will offer you coffee like she did with her old neighbors and Costantine the German, will say good morning with a really wide smile because he has chosen to leave his country and live here in Plathia Rouga, where everything is in balance, like baking sweet smelling rusk. Have a nice stay!
Sights in the prefecture of Chania
Small traditional villages: Polirinia, Spilia, Deliana, Therissos, Meskla, Vamos, Gavalohori, Maheri, Douliana, Fres, Vafes Beaches: Falassarna, Ballos, Elafonisi, Kedrodasos, Palaiohora, Sougia, Fragokastelo, Glyka Nera, Marmara, Loutro, Agia Roumeli, Menies Gorges: Samaria, Agias Irinis, Ibrou, Aradenas, Sirikariou Areas of natural beauty: Ballos lagoon, Gramvousa island, Kournas lake Archaeological sites: Aptera, Polirinia, Falassarna, Lissos, Diktyna Museums: Chania Archaeological Museum, Folk Art Museum, Maritime Museum of Crete, Byzantine and Pose Byzantine Collection, Historical Archive of Crete Monasteries: Agia Triada, Moni Gouvernetou, Chrisoskalitissa
The Gorge of Samaria
The gorge of Samaria is the biggest, most imposing and beautiful gorge in Chania and in Europe, and that is why it is internationally renown and mostly visited, since more than 300.000 people have the opportunity to cross it each year. It has a wonderful landscape with rare geo-morphological formations. It is a unique biotope with particular richness in fauna and flora. It has a rich mythology as well, that goes back to pre-historical years and a tumultuous history during the difficult years of Crete. The length of the passage to the limits of the park is 12,800 km and the distance to the coast of Agia Roumeli is then another 3,200 km. Its crossing at a good pace can be done in five or fewer hours, but it is preferable not to walk less than 6 to 8 hours in order to enjoy its incomparable beauties.
Falasarna
Falassarna is a small resort boasting one of the best-known beaches in Chania Prefecture and indeed the whole of Crete, which attracts large numbers of tourists every summer. Nowadays Falassarna is a famous Cretan destination, thanks to its beaches and also its ecological interest. Falassarna Beach has won prizes for being the most beautiful beach in Crete and is always one of the top ten beaches in Europe, with its wonderful, fine white sand and warm, crystal-clear water. The beach of Pachia Ammos is so big that it rarely feels overcrowded even in high summer, when you are surrounded by hundreds of people.
Crete's Incredible Hospitality
Gramvousa - Balos
The peninsula of Gramvousa occupies the northwest of Crete and near its tip it has two islands, a good beach, an anchorage for small boats in bad weather, and the remains of a large Venetian castle. You may go to Gramvousa by organized boat trip from Kastelli or on foot. The boat trip is one hour long and the views of the rugged coastline are terrific. The hike, although not hard or long, can be very difficult during the summer months, when the sun and heat are strong. During the spring the area is blanketed in flowers.
Elafonissi
Elafonissi is something like an island and a peninsula, because to reach the island you have to walk through the sea. It is located in the southwest end of the prefecture of Chania, Crete, about 70km from the city of Chania. Elafonisi is a place of an exceptional natural beauty, and it has been included in the Natura 2000 Protection Program. That's why it is such a popular beach destination in the prefecture of Chania, and a top of the top beach destinations all over Crete.
Paleochora
Paleochora is a coastal town located on the southwest coast of Crete, approximately 70km from Chania and 200km from Heraklion. It is built on a peninsula between two picturesque bays, and as it borders the Libyan Sea it is justly regarded as the “Libyan Bride” and “Land of the Sun”. Around Paleochora are located some of the best beaches in Crete. There are several hiking trails including the European E4 & E1 and whichever one you chose to take they all end up at one of beautiful beaches of the area. Water activities include swimming, surfing, water skiing, snorkelling, jet ski, kite, sailing, fishing ... In the evenings visitors can enjoy a walk, food, wine, coffee etc., in both the sea front and central streets of Paleochora which remain closed to vehicles all night, and are transformed into pedestrian streets with tables & chairs.
Knossos
The Palace of Knossos. It is the largest of the preserved Minoan palatial centres. Four wings are arranged around a central courtyard, containing the royal quarters, workshops, shrines, storerooms, repositories, the throne room and banquet halls. Dated to 2000-1350 B.C. The Little Palace. It lies to the west of the main palace and has all the features of palatial architecture: scraped wall masonry, reception rooms, a pristyle hall, a double megaron with polythyra (pi er-and-door partitions) and a lustral basin-shrine. Dated to the 17th-15th centuries B.C You can get some practical information about your visit in Knossos here.