CHANIA TOWN AND PREFECTURE
Crete has 4 prefectures each with its own capital. The main Capital for the whole island is Heraklion. Almost all the cities from Crete are on the North Coast, except Ierapetra which lies on the south coast. You will find plenty of information about the cities in your guide book, there for I limit myself to a short description of each prefecture with the Capital, the interesting areas and I give you my tips for your trips.
CHANIA is the most western prefecture of Crete and it covers about a quarter of the island. The population is about 120.000 citizen from which 90.000 people live on the north coast near the town with the same name.
The prefecture is “the home” of the famous Samaria Gorge which lies in the Lefka Ori ( White Mountains). This mountain group covers 75% of the county and offers the best walking routes of Crete.
WALKS ON CRETE 1
Chania town is for me and many visitors to Crete without doubt the most beautiful town and many even believe "the best" of Greece. The town was one of the first settlements from the Minoans in the west of Crete. Their roots date back long before the birth of Jesus Christ it is estimated on 1400 B.C. For many centuries it was the Capital of Crete under the Venetian and Turkish occupation. Heavy bombings in the 2nd World War ( 1941-1945) destroyed many buildings in the old center, but private and council initiatives made the restauration of these buildings possible. Today we can find plenty of small romantic and picturesque streets for shopping situated around the biggest Venetian harbor of the island. For people that like shopping or having a nice place for a lunch or dinner, the town offers all year around a lively atmosphere.
The daily indoor market (Agora) 
where local products like honey, herbs, cheeses, olive oil, fish and meat are for sale should not be missed. The leather street is changing a bit into a jewelry street in the last years but good bargains for both trade wear can be found.
In the former Catholic Church of St. Francis we find the Archaeological Museum and in the Old Fortress at the Harbor is the War Museum. The Central Church is named after the Holy Trinity and next to this place of worship we find one of the few remains of the Turkish history, The Bath House.
Take your time to visit this magnificent town with the Venetian Mansions and if you are en route, stay the night here in one of the numerous historical accommodations around the harbor.
the part in rosa is the old town.
website of the Mayor http://www.chania.gr
Outside of Chania, towards the airport and on the Akrotiri http://www.akrotiricrete.com/
I can recommend a visit to the Memorial Park for the Politician Eleftherios Venizelos, the man that brought Crete back in the Greek family in 1913, after all the occupations from "the strangers". Later he became a famous Political leader for Greece. FAMOUS CRETANS
A part of the prefecture that I particularly like is the Apokoronas. It is situated north-east of Chania, towards the next prefecture Rethymno. The area there offers very beautiful Venetian style villages and since about 20 years many of the previous deserted old houses are being restored and occupied by Europeans that wish to retire on Crete. In the village Plaka is already the number of foreigners living here equal to the local residents. Vamos is the central village from the area and here a group of Architects restored many Venetian Mansions and they rent them now to the Tourist that prefer a holiday in the countryside.Very good food can be consumed in the central Taverna of Vamos. The area is also famous for ancient Cretan Crafts work. Stone carvers and embroidery producers make real pieces of art and in the Folk art museum of Gavalachori you'll find several exibits on show.
WALKS ON CRETE 2
the south-west of the prefectures lies Paleochora with the beautiful lagune beaches from Elafonissi closeby. Here your relaxed holiday with a book on the beach is guaranteed. BEACHES OF CRETE
In the eastern direction from the Samaria gorge is the Old Venetian Fortress of Frangokastello build behind a very quiet sandy beach. Here one may find good quality accommodations for a relaxing holiday. If you want to be completely isolated for a few days, without traffic etc.? Stay overnight in the village of Loutro, you can come there by boat from the village Chora Sfakion. Travelers touring around Europe with their own car with caravan, from Kissamos (Kastelli) in the North West of the prefecture is the fastest ferry boat connection to the main land of Greece. (Peleponessos) From here you can continue for example to Italy or Serbia. HOW TO COME IN CRETE
Tourism is concentraded mainly on the north coast between Kissamos and Chania town. The main villages here are Agia Marina, Platania and Kalamaki and they offer various accommodations, from the luxury Hotels till the simple clean room in a family house. ACCOMMODATION CHANIA AREA
