Chania is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It lies along the north coast of the island, about 70 km (43 mi) west of Rethymno and 145 km (90 mi) west of Heraklion.
The official population of the municipal unit is 55,838, while its metropolitan area has 108,310 inhabitants.
The city enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with sunny dry summers and mild rainy winters. During the period between April and October, clear-sky weather is almost an everyday feature.
The atmosphere is always warm, but temperatures above 38 °C are not very common, since the prevailing Etesian winds (“Meltemia”) blow from northern directions and pleasantly moderate the conditions.
Intervals of sunny days are frequent during the windy and rainy winter as well.
Even minor early heat waves can occur in March or April, during a Saharan dust event, whose main feature is the strong and hot wind from the south.
Such events happen only a couple of times a year, and their duration is never more than one or two days.
The city of Chania is of great beauty and archaeological interest as the now modern city is built on the ruins of the ancient Minoan settlement called Kydonia.
During the 1970s Crete became a major tourist destination for Greek and international tourists, something that gave a significant boost to the city’s economy and affected the everyday life and the overall culture of the locals.
Chania has managed to maintain its character and beauty and therefore is currently considered as one of the most picturesque cities of Greece.
Police: 100
Tourist Police: +30 28210 25931
Greek National Tourism Organization: +30 28210 92943
Port Authority: +30 28210 98888
Fire Department: 199
First Aid: 166
Bus Stations: To Heraklio – Rethymno: +30 28210 91288
Radio Taxi: 18300, +30 28210 98700, +30 28210 94300
Health Centre of Vamos (+30) 28250 22580
Health Centre of Kandanos (+30) 28230 22550
Health Centre of Kissamos (+30) 28220 22222
Foreign Embassies:
Great Britain (+30)2810 224012
Denmark (+30)2810 243714
Finland (+30)2810 284270
Norway (+30)2810 225991
Sweden (+30)2821060605
- Archaeological Museum of Chania, 25 Halidon str. Tel. 28210 90334. Open: 8.30-15.00 (except Mondays)
- Naval Museum of Crete, Chania, Akti Koundourioti, Venetian Harbour. Tel. 28210 91875/74484. Open: 9.00-16.00 (1/4-31/10), 9.00-14.00 (1/11-31/3)
- Μinoan Ship, Moro dock, Venetian Harbour. Τel. 28210 91875.Open: Μay-Οct. Mon.-Fri. 10.00-15.00 & 19.00-22.30 (except public holidays)
- Historical Archives of Crete, Chania, 20 I. Sfakianaki str., Tel. 28210 52606. Open: 9.00-14.00 (except Sat. & Sun.)
- Folklore Museum, Gavalochori, Apokoronas. Tel. 28250 23222. Open: 9.00-20.00, Sat. 9.00-19.00, Sun. 10.00-13.00
- Folklore Museum “Cretan House”, Chania, 46b Halidon str. Tel. 28210 90816. Open: 9.00-15.00 & 18.00-21.00
- Byzantine collection, Chania, Theotokopoulou str. Tel. 28210 96046. Open: 8.30-15.00 (except Mondays)
- Ekklesiastic Museum, Monastery of Holy Trinity of Tzagarolon, Αkrotiri. Tel. 28210 63310. Open: 8:00-20:00
- Ekklesiastic Museum, Gouverneto Monastery, Αkrotiri. Tel. 28210 63319
- Ekklesiastic Museum, Monastery of Chrissopigi, Chania. Tel. 28210 91125
- Ekklesiastic Museum, Monastery of Gonia, Kissamos . Tel. 28240 22313
- War Museum, Chania, Tzobanaki Cassern. Tel. 28210 44156. Open: 9:00-13:00 (except Sat. & Sun.)
- Chemistry Museum, Chania, 34c Eleftherios Venizelos str. Tel. 28210 42504. Open: 9:00-13:00 (except Sat. & Sun.)
- Byzantine and Folklore Museum of Spilia, Kissamos. Tel. 28240 22080/22357. Open: 17:00-18:00, Sat. 11:00-12:00
- Typography Museum, VIOPA, Souda. Tel. 28210 51003. Open: 10:00-18:00
- Museum of National Resistance, Therisso. Open all year round
- House of Eleftherios Venizelos:
a. Mournies, Kydonia. Tel. 28210 93132/95250. Open: 18:00-21:00.
b. Elena Venizelou sqr., Halepa, Chania (Eleftherios K. Venizelos Foundation). Tel. 28210 56008
