Sightseeings

a walkway with benches and a body of water in the background

The prefecture of Chania is for many the most beautiful and interesting part of Crete, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and the wealth of fascinating sights it offers. From the pristine beaches to the picturesque old town, where Venetian and Ottoman influences blend seamlessly, Chania is a destination that captures the soul. The region boasts a rich tapestry of history, with ancient archaeological sites like the Minoan city of Aptera and the remains of Ancient Kydonia, once a prominent city-state. The Archaeological Museum of Chania offers a glimpse into the island's past, housing a remarkable collection of artifacts that tell the story of its long and varied history. Charming old churches and traditional villages further immerse visitors in the island's deep-rooted culture and timeless allure.

a large ornate building with a statue in the middle

The Archaeological Museum of Chania was founden in 1963 and is located at the place of the Venetian Monastery of Agios Fragiskos in Halidon Street in Chania. The collection of the museum includes findings from excavations in several areas of the city that have been performed during the last 50 years, and its exhibits cover the cultural history of Chania from the neolithic period till the Roman Empire.

Chania is famous for its wonderful beaches with golden sand and crystal-clear blue water. It is a fact that some of the most wonderful and famous beaches of Greece are located in Chania. The visitor can find in Chania well organized beaches with sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports, restaurants, taverns and coffee-bars, which provide high quality services or can discover the pure, unexplored beaches.

Aptera is located about 15 km. away from the city of Chania and above Souda Bay, and during the Minoan period was one of the most important city-states of Crete. It is located on en extended plateau with altitude 200m and astonishing view of Souda Bay. Its history begins from the Minoan Period (3500- 1070 BC), however, the most visible archaeological traces in the ruins belong to the Geometric Period (1000- 685 BC), the Hellenistic Period (323- 67 BC) and the Roman Empire (67 BC - 324 AD).

The settlement that is presently excavated in the city of Chania has as center the hill of Kasteli and is the most important of the prefecture. Large habitations with well-built rooms, elegant floors with circular cavities- fireplaces, coated walls with deep red mortar, door frames and ceramics of excellent quality are some of the findings that indicate the existence of a significant proto-Minoan centre. The extended excavations in the archaeological site of Kasteli, which constitutes one of the most important monuments of the prehistoric period of Crete, are carried out since 1966 until today by the 25th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities. Some of the most important findings of the excavation are available in Chania Archaeological Museum.

Points of interest

Archaeological Museum of Chania

Beaches

Ancient Aptera

Ancient Kydonia

Location