Chania
From CruisersWiki
Chania has a Port of Entry
| Chania Port of Entry
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 Chania and its Harbor |
Chania or Hania or Khania (Χανιά) is in my opinion the most beautiful city in Crete if not the whole Aegean. It is a delightful town. The old city is very picturesque and has the inevitable souvenir stores, rooms for rent, restaurants, and jewelry stores. A whole street is devoted to leather goods. The marketplace (food) is amazing; it is crowded with small and a large stores selling anything from meat, wines, dried fruits, to herbs, chocolates, fruits, breads, pastries, fish, flowers, etc.
Charts
See Crete.
Weather
- See Aegean Sea
- For details see also Chania Weather
Passages
See Crete.
Communication
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12 (Chania) & 09 (Souda), Tel. +30 2810 98 888
- Navy operated Souda Control - VHF channel 16
See also Crete.
If approaching Chania from the east (e.g. Rethimno or Iraklio), is is important to check whether live firing is scheduled at the NATO missile firing range on the Akrotiri peninsula. The harbour authority in Chania can advise (telephone: +30 2821 098888).
Also see Crete.
Entrance
Chania is a port of entry and exit to Greece.
Please submit details about facilities for checking in - location of immigration & customs, etc.
Berthing
There are only two harbors: Chania Harbor and Souda.
Chania Harbor
The harbor of Chania is a beautiful harbor and well protected from the meltemi. The harbor consists of two sections: the West which is exposed to the North and is surrounded by a promenade with restaurants and cafes — no boats are allowed to dock there — and the East which consists of a small marina full of local boats (where you are unlikely to find a berth) and a visitors quay to the right of the entrance which has space for around 15 boats moored stern or bows to. At the time of visiting (June 2009) there were ten pickup lines for yachts. Once these are all taken, another 4/5 yachts should be able to moor using their anchors, being sure to avoid the mooring chain which is some 30m out from the quay. Water and electricity are available at a fixed charge of €3 for the first cubic metre/kilowatt, with a small additional charge for further consumption. A free wifi network is available from CAM hotspot. If laying out your anchor, note that the bottom is soft mud interspersed with rocks and the holding is not always secure. Many boats use two anchors. If you do find a berth on the visitors quay, you will be in heart of the picturesque old town. If the harbour is full, you may be able to find a berth in Souda.
Warning: When a strong northerly gale is blowing, take a line to the other side of the harbor if you are anchored.
Souda
Souda (Σούδα), about 7 km E of Chania, is the best harbor in Crete situated in the large Souda Bay. However, Souda is also a main Greek and NATO naval base. Yachts are permitted to enter the bay as long as they keep to the narrow channel leading to Souda port. Yachts are advised to contact the authorities on channel 12 before entering to obtain clearance. For further information contact the harbour authorities in Chania (telephone: +30 2821 098888).
Once in the harbor you can moor side-to.
Warning: If you leave the boat for any length of time, make sure that all the hatches are well sealed. Freighters load wheat and the wind can bring lots of wheat germ into your cabin.Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
None.
Amenities
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water |
|
| Electricity | N/A |
| Toilets | N/A |
| Showers | N/A |
| Laundry | In both Souda and Chania |
| Garbage | There are bins around the harbors |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel |
|
| Bottled gas | ? |
| Chandlers | |
| Services | |
| Repairs | There several machinists in Chania |
| Internet | Free wifi available from CAM hotspot or in cafés |
| Mobile connectivity | Good 3G signal |
| Vehicle rentals | Many agencies in Chania |
Provisioning
- There are good supermarkets in both Souda and Chania
- The food market in Chania is amazing; it is crowded with small and a large stores selling anything from meat, wines, dried fruits, to herbs, chocolates, fruits, breads, pastries, fish, flowers, etc.
Eating out
- Many good tavernas
- The Grill (Οβελιστήριο) across from Souda Harbor is worth trying
Transportation
There are daily, and in the summer several per day, flights and ferries to Athens.
Tourism
History
Chania is the site of the Minoan settlement the Greeks called Cydonia, Greek for quince (κυδώνι - kydoni). It also flourished after the Dorian Greeks settled on Crete.
Places to Visit
In town visit the Archaeological Museum. It is housed in a large Venetian building and it is very well appointed. It has exhibits from the Minoan to the Hellenistic times, all well-lit and labeled. There are some very nice floor mosaics.
Also there is a Maritime Museum worth visiting.
Samaria Gorge
 The Samaria Gorge |
 In the Gorge |
The Samaria Gorge is a "must see" place in Crete. The gorge is a 17 km walk (about 6 hours) and the visit will take a day. The best way is to take the earliest bus from Chania to Omalos where the gorge begins. From Xyloscala in Omalos you walk downhill into the gorge and eventually to the town of Ayia Roumeli on the south side of Crete. From Ayia Roumeli, where you can have lunch, you take a local boat to Chora Sfakion and from there a bus back to Chania. It is good to have water and something to eat with you during the hike.
The way down is very, very, steep and slippery. Having good shoes is very useful. It is very green with pine and cedar trees. The path starts at an altitude of 1,235 m and descends in switch backs, with a crude wooden rail at the most slippery spots, down to 600 m in less than 3 km. At that point, the going becomes easier and the scenery is magnificent with the high peaks towering over the gorge. There is water flowing in the gorge, even in October, not a lot but it is crystal clear. There are many fountains of icy cold pure water along the path. There are also plenty of tourists, way too many. The path is rough but less difficult to walk on than the one in the Hohlakies gorge.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
References
See Greece.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Chania and this page's details validated:
- October 1997 --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- June 2009 --Athene of Lymington
| This is a usable page of the cruising guide. However, please contribute if you can to help it grow further. Click on Comments to add your personal notes on this page or to discuss its contents. Alternatively, if you feel confident to edit the page, click on the edit tab at the top and enter your changes directly. |
 Contributors to this page |
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Names: Istioploos, Athene of Lymington |
