Also nearby is the Nea Chora area well known for its traditional fishing port and of course spoilt for choice Fish Taverns that spread alone the whole strip of its bay and port offering the most spectacular sunsets that can be seen inside of the City.
Daratso & Galatas In 1645, the Turks made their camp here when preparing for their two months siege of Chania. During World War II there was a particularly murderous battle known as the “Battle of the Giants”, between Greek and New Zealand forces, on the one hand, and German paratroopers.
You can find excellent tavernas in these areas especially up in the village of Galatas sits an excellent Turkish Restaurant ‘Bigaza’ that prepares tantalizing dishes.
The surfaced coast road continues past the beaches of Glaros, Kalamaki, Stalos and Agia Marina. These particularly attractive beaches have helped the area to develop, in recent years, into a modern tourist resort with large hotel units and complexes. Close to the shore off Agia Marina is the islet of Agia Theodori or Thodorou. This is a National Park (landing is forbidden) where the Cretan ibex (kri kri goat) is bred.
According to the ancient Greek myths, an enormous sea monster with its newborn offspring was swimming towards Crete when the sea god Poseidon turned it into a rock to prevent if from swallowing up the whole island.
Platanias is a tourist resort on a little hill, very pretty old town offering panoramic views and great sunsets. (Please see our section on Platanias for full details). The sandy beach is 3k long and 39 metres wide.
Maleme used to be the site of Chania’s very first airport, and it was the first spot to be subjected to attack during the German airborne invasion of 1941. The fierce fighting between Allied and German forces has gone down in history as the Great Battle of Crete. The road to the left leads to a German Cemetery, where the remains of those who fell have been gathered.
On the side of the hill, at the spot known as Kafkales, a Late Minoan Tholos tomb has been discovered dating back between, 2,500-3,500BC. Although it had been robbed, it yielded two cylindrical seal stones and depictions of wild goats running.
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Health Centre: +30 28210 60606
Dentist: +30 28210 60095
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Amulance Services: 166
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