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Crete Chania Greece


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would line to get some info and tips about self touring Crete. Particularly interested in the Old Venetian Harbor. How far is it from the port - walkable or are taxis plentiful . How far is elafonissi beach from the old Harbor? We will be going in Oct.

Thank U

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The vast majority of cruise ships dock in Souda, Chania's main port. This is a 10 min bus or taxi ride to the city centre & a couple of minutes walk then to the old harbour.

A very few ships tender off the Venetian harbour, a wonderful way to see Crete.

 

Elafonisi is approx. 1 & a half hours drive from Chania. It is good to go there via Topolia gorge, for some great inland scenery & back via the coast road. Do make sure to walk or wade across to the island, this is the true Elafonisi beach, where the sand is tinged pink, many people just sit near the carpark! In October it won't be too busy & the sea will be warm.

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If you'd like to give a few more details of where/how long/when you are in the area & most importantly what sort of things you like to do, I can give you some ideas to suit you.

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If you'd like to give a few more details of where/how long/when you are in the area & most importantly what sort of things you like to do, I can give you some ideas to suit you.

Thanks for your help I loved your suggestion and thank U.We will be in port from 7-12 not very long . Wanted to do the beach but don't think we will have time. :(

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RV traveller, with just a few hours, the centre of Chania is the obvious choice, there will be plenty of buses & taxis at the port, it's a short journey into the centre. Then head for the Venetian harbour, it's so very pretty all round that area, lots of tiny alleyways to wander around just off the harbour, plenty of cafes for a coffee stop to people watch & soak up the splendid Venetian architecture. There are little shops selling traditional Cretan products, you may like the 'covered market' (where the buses stop). The Naval museum & little archaeological museum are well worth an hour or so should the weather not be good!

 

Queen P - if you would like to hire a car for a day, it sounds as if you would enjoy a trip to ancient Aptera, a fascinating site including a post-Minoan amplitheatre, recently restored, a Roman city, a Turkish fort& ancient monastery. it is 10-15 mins drive outside Chania, near Megala Horafia village. You could then take a drive around some of the very tiny, traditional villages of the Apokoronas area & go to the nice beach at Kiani Akti just outside Kalyves. Lunch somewhere like Kalyves, Vamos, Gavalohori, Plaka would give you access to proper local Cretan country cooking (is fantastic & cheap!)

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Queen P - yes, easy to drive, aalthough the streets in central Chania are sometimes narrow, & most hotels in the old town don't have parking as the little lanes are mostly pedestrianized.

 

Lolmerry - You could walk, but it's about 2km on just on a suburban road, not a very pretty route, although some is next to the harbour with palm trees) - a short taxi ride from the port, agree with the driver to collect you or wait. You could easily have a look (30 mins is enough time) on your way in or out of Chania.

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My husband and I usually cruise but have just come back from a land based holiday in Chania, Crete. If your ship stops at Suda Bay then Chania old town is about a 20 minute drive.

The war cemetery is about a 20 minute walk (depending on how quick you walk) from the port. There is a Hop on Hop off bus around Chania (open top). One of the stops is Souda (right by the port) and the next one is the War Cemetary (depending on which direction the bus goes in). In then goes in to Chania to lots of other stops including the Venetian Harbour, although once you are in the centre it's easy walking. It was 15 euros per person for a 24hr ticket. We found it a really nice way to see the war cemetary and bits of Chania which we hadn't walked to and we said that if we were to ever come in on a cruise then it would be a good way of seeing Chania. Chania old town is really nice, we spent a couple of hours wandering, eating, drinking and shopping. If we had come into Suda on a ship and spent a few hours in the old town we would be very happy, it's a lovely place. A little tip, all the restaurants serve pretty big portions and most give you a free dessert/fruit plate and a small bottle/shot of Raki with your meal.

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This is our holiday video, obviously you don't have to watch the whole thing but there is some footage in there of Chania Harbour, the war cemetery and suda bay. If you look at the picture at 2.33 (this is taken from the hoho bus) as we approached Suda bay. At the bottom in the middle is the war cemetery and you can see the port on the far side which will give you an idea of how far the 2 things are from each other. There is also some video footage looking out across the bay.

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This is our holiday video, obviously you don't have to watch the whole thing but there is some footage in there of Chania Harbour, the war cemetery and suda bay. If you look at the picture at 2.33 (this is taken from the hoho bus) as we approached Suda bay. At the bottom in the middle is the war cemetery and you can see the port on the far side which will give you an idea of how far the 2 things are from each other. There is also some video footage looking out across the bay.

Thank you for taking the time to post your fabulous video, loved it. Looks amazing can't wait!!!!!

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Many people say that Chania is Greece's most beautiful city.

The 'old town' is made up of a large Venetian harbour & many little alleyways behind, lovely to walk around. The harbour front is made up mostly with cafes, bars & tavernas, an excellent & extremely photogenic spot to while away an hour or 2 (although usually, better food is found just behind the harbour).

The backstreets are filled with individual small shops.

There are a couple of super museums, on Halidon St, (which is the main pedestrianized street leading to the harbour & has a good art gallery) & the Naval museum at the West end of the harbour.

There is a covered market where most cruise buses stop & 4 days a week are street markets selling incredible, fresh, local produce.

The ancient Lighthouse can be walked to from the Eastern side of the harbour.

Further past this is Koum Kapi, where the young locals gather to drink coffee & chat.

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Many people say that Chania is Greece's most beautiful city.

The 'old town' is made up of a large Venetian harbour & many little alleyways behind, lovely to walk around. The harbour front is made up mostly with cafes, bars & tavernas, an excellent & extremely photogenic spot to while away an hour or 2 (although usually, better food is found just behind the harbour).

The backstreets are filled with individual small shops.

There are a couple of super museums, on Halidon St, (which is the main pedestrianized street leading to the harbour & has a good art gallery) & the Naval museum at the West end of the harbour.

There is a covered market where most cruise buses stop & 4 days a week are street markets selling incredible, fresh, local produce.

The ancient Lighthouse can be walked to from the Eastern side of the harbour.

Further past this is Koum Kapi, where the young locals gather to drink coffee & chat.

 

Wow, thank you for the information. This is exactly what I was looking for. I appreciate it!

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  • 1 month later...

Yes, all the touristic shops will be open on Sundays.

 

The 'everyday'/ residents shops will not be open, such as electrical retailers etc.

But in the old town, around the harbour etc they will be open & ready for business for clothes, souvenirs, leather, jewellery & more!

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