There is so much to see in and around Chania.
This page will be updated weekly, and in the future these places will have their own subpages.

Chania Harbor and ruins:
One of the best things to see when you are in Chania, is the old Venician harbor of Chania itself.
Encyclopedia’s write different stories of when it was built. It can already be seen on painting from the early 17th century.
It is surrounded by dozens of bars and restaurants, which add to the already great atmosphere.
Around and near the harbor are the old ruins of the Byzantine, Turkish and Venician empires.
It’s ruins can be seen between the restaurants, appartments and shops.
 

Aptera:
About 17km east of Chania, slightly up the mountain west of Kalyves, are the ruins of Aptera.
Perched 230 metres up on a hill overlooking Souda bay it panoramic views of the whole plain of Chania.
The city walls, still standing, echo the walls of Tiryns and Mycenae and you can also find remains of a small temple of Demeter built around 100 BC, a small Roman theatre and baths and a trio of enormous vaulted cisterns from the time of the Roman occupation. Aptera was founded in the 7th century BC and reached its peak in the Hellenistic period.
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Kalyves:
Kalyves is a town east of Chania.
Mostly thanks to it’s beauty, it is now rapidly becoming famous amongst tourists.
But Kalyves is not a fake tourist village. It is real Greek.
Kalives is located about 20 km east of Chania. Frequent public transport along the national road but the bus will let you off about 1 km away from the village. If you don't want to walk there are also several buses a day from the centre of the village to Hania.
It is most famous because of it’s great beaches, and beautiful surrounding mountains.
A great place for your vacation also. There are enough bars and restaurants, and even a mini-golf and a disco.
Looking over Kalyves is the castle Apicorono, which is the fortress of Aptera.

Kournas:
The village of Kournas is 43km from Chania and 20km from Rethimnon on a road turning south at 41km of the Chania - Rethimnon highway. Kournas Lake, old villages, Byzantine churches, a Minoan tomb and a cave are in the area around the village.
Lake Kournas is one of only two lakes in Crete and covers a total area of about 160,000 square metres with a depth of up to 25 metres. The name is derived from the Arabic word for lake. Dense vegetation surrounds the scenic lake and the southeastern bank is lined with olive trees. A strip of white sand beside the lake provides an area for swimming and cafes.

In Patima (near Kournas) there is the church of Agios Theodoros which also has a fine, decorated tomb within the church. In Patima there are also the remains of Venetian buildings.

Gramvoussa:
The Island of Gramvoussa is located in the far Nort-West of of Crete, right next to the beautiful beaches of Balos.
Gramvoussa is most commonly known for the shipwreck lying on the shores of it.
Gramvoussa was one of the best strategic locations in many historical wars, and the great fortress resting on a hill right next to the beach reminds us of that.
A great magical place to visit. Wonderful beaches, great nature, combined with an old shipwreck and a historical castle make it something you shouldn’t miss out on.

This page will be updated again very soon.

By Lukas de Vries