Built on the ruins of ancient Kidonia it has seen and survived many invaders, but has also tasted civilizations that left their marks on building faces, castles, walls, antiquities, monasteries and churches.

The city has two entrances: the airport of Akrotiri, and the port of Souda (the largest in the Mediterranean). The public market holds a master place in the center of the city, a brilliant cross-shaped building that was completed in 1913, and in proportion with the one in Marseilles.

Near the city center the Public Garden awaits you next to the "Peace and Friendship of the people" park. The gardens are the prettiest in Crete, and also the public garden offers a small zoo with animals from Cretan fauna.

The Venetian port picturesque any time and season is attractive to visitors and locals, for it's beauty and for it's choices of entertainment for all tastes and demands. The old city "intramural" districts preserve their Venetian nobility. Narrow paved alleys are surrounded with tasteful renewed houses, from various ages, are offered for a pleasant walk. Many neoclassic houses are also saved in districts which "neighbor" with the city of Chania, like Halepa.

Scholars have been trying for years to analyse the etymology of the name "Hania," and to decide on the time when the name was changed from "Kythonia" to "Hania". The new name is first met as "Cania" in the document "Sexteriorum Cretensiu in Militias divisio" in 1211. Then the name "Canea" is mentioned in the document which relinquishes the Hania area to the Venicians in 1252. As for the change of the name from "Kythonia" to "Hania", the most convincing point of view is that of Prof. N. Platonas, who associates it with the existence of a big village "Alhania", named after the God "Valhanos" (Vulcan). The Sarasin Arabs found this name easier to use but confused it with their own word "Al Hanim" (the Inn). After the departure of the Arabs, the syllable "Al", probably taken to be the Arab article "Al" (the), was dropped when the name was translated into the Greek "Hania" and the Latin "Canea".

Historically and Archaelogically, the hill of Kasteli is one of the most significant parts of the city, as it has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The factors which contributed to the uninterrupted use of Kasteli as a residential area were : its geographic position and the fertile plain on the south, both of which contributed to making the district an important commercial and transport junction. Excavations have brought to light remains dating from the first Minoan period (2800-2000 B.C.). The houses of that period are large with well constructed rooms. The walls and floors are painted with a bright red colour. The Kasteli area was also inhabited in the Post-Minoan period (1580/1550 - 1100 B.C.).

According to the evidence offered by the clay tablets in Linear A scripture found on the hill, the area was reserved for royal use. Between 1380 and 1100 B.C. it developed into a commercial centre which was in constant communication with the rest of Crete and Greece.A historically significant ceramics workshop, known as "the Kythonia Workshop" has also been found in the Hania area. It now belongs to the post-royal period.

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Golden Beach Chania
Chrissi Akti means Golden Beach due to the incredible colour of the sand on this beautiful beach. It is located at a walking distance from the city of Chania and offers plenty of accommodations which are surrounding it. Chrissi Akti consists in three soft sandy beaches with clear and shallow waters particularly safe for children.
One of the beaches has a children play area and all have various touristy facilities such as umbrellas and sun beds rentals and sea sports.

Kalyves Chania
Kalyves is the name of a picturesque village located about 20 kilometres east of Chania, in one of the greenest areas of Greece, from where the silhouette of the White Mountains can be seen. The village is surrounded by wonderful sandy beaches with crystalline waters; among those beaches the eastern one is the most popular because it is located right in the village.
In the village visitors will find a friendly and authentic atmosphere and a good choice of small taverns, accommodations and bars.

Agia Marina 
Location: 10 Km away from Chania town
Description: Agia Marina is very much a tourist resort and gets busy with visitors who are mainly on package tours.
Nearest village: Agia Marina

Drapanias
Location: 30 Km west of the town of Chania
Description: Pebbled beach located in the famous area of Kissamos on the west part of the prefecture of Chania
Nearest village: Kissamos

Georgioupoli
Location: 39 Km east of Chania
Description: It is a coastal village on the Armyros plain. It used to be called Almyros or Armyroupoli, but was renamed in honour of Prince George, High Commissioner of Crete
Nearest village: Georgioupoli

Germaniko Pouli
Location: 2 km west of Chania town
Description: A large sandy beach with beautiful waters
Nearest village: Chania Town

Kalatha
Location: Couple of Km east from Chania Town, on the peninsula
Description: A beautiful and popular beach with soft sand and beautiful waters.
Nearest village: Chania Town

Kiani Akti
Location: 10 Km east from Chania Town
Description: Long sandy beach and only organised in some parts
Nearest village: Kalives

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