Chania, the capital of Crete, is one of the most famous towns of the Greek islands, particularly for its authentic culture and character and historic structures including its beautiful Venetian Harbour.
It is an incredibly well-preserved Venetian town with all kinds of Medieval architecture, framing a bustling metropolis of museums, churches, narrow shopping streets, waterfront restaurants and crafts shops. Alongside the stunning coastal areas and mountainous landscapes are an array of outstanding remains and glorious buildings of an ancient era, including a picturesque harbourfront and interesting venetian lighthouse.
Chania is also the perfect location to try all kinds of local cuisine, wine and traditional feasts – some of the best local restaurants include: The Well of the Turk, Antigoni, Karnagio, Chrysostomos and Above Chania. Furthermore, for educational and historical adventures you can visit the Maritime Museum, or the Archaeological Museum, or take a trip to one of the many surrounding monasteries or historical sites including the Samaria Gorge, Venizelos Graves or the unique architectural complex of Tabakaria.
To the north of the island are the more touristic beach areas, and to the south are the more secluded and traditional beaches, punctuated by small seaside villages, and of course there are thousands of deserted coves and isolated bays for private enjoyment, if you look hard enough! The West Coast beaches of soft sand and coloured pebbles, such as Falasarna, are around 38km away from Villa Aeolus, and the South Coast beaches with beautiful crystal-clear waters, including Sougia, are about 53km away.
The Region
Head to the West side of Crete to find some of the best beaches and most charming villages in the island. Indulge yourself by visiting the unique Balos lagoon and jumping into its turquoise waters, or have a truly Cretan dining experience in one of the many tavernas by the sea and taste the delicious seafood on offer.
Find more about Chania and the rest of the Southernmost island in Greece with our travel guide below
How to reach Chania
There are two ways to reach Chania: either by flight or by ferry.
By plane: Chania Airport (CHQ) is only a 20 minutes ride away from central Chania. During the summer months, frequents overseas and domestic flights are performed. In most of the cases, there are available buses that connect Chania city and most of the villas. You can also hire a car from one of the many rental companies at the airport, or alternatively get a taxi to bring you right to your doorstep.
By ferry: If you choose to do an island-hopping trip and use the ferry as a method of transportation, then the closest port is in Souda, only 8km from the centre of Chania. Only ferries from Piraeus in Athens or Heraklion in Crete. Heraklion port has a wider choice: you can also take a ferry from other Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos or Paros, but you will have to take a longer bus ride to reach your villa. You can easily book your ferry tickets using the link below or the booking engine.
Book your ferry tickets to Crete here >>
