The city of Chania is the capital of Chania prefecture and is the second largest city in Crete, with a population of  55 838 inhabitants (2001 census). 
         
Chania is located on the northern coast of the island, at the east side of the  Gulf of Chania, about 70 km west of Rethymno and 145 km west of Heraklion. 
         
Chania is built on the site of the ancient city of Kydonia and it has been inhabited since Neolithic times. The city started to develop during the Minoan period, when it became one of the most important economical centres of ancient Greece. Today Chania is the ”cultural capital city” of Crete and also an important commercial and administrative center. 
         
The bay of Suda serves as a port for the prefecture of Chania, from where boats have daily connections to the mainland Greece. The airport of Chania is smaller than Heraklion and is located on the peninsula of Akrotiri, near Souda Bay, at about 14 kilometers from the city of Chania. Its official name is "Ioannis Daskalogiannis", after a Cretan rebel against Ottoman rule in the 18th century.
         
In Chania tourists can find any kind of accomodation, for all budgets, both in the center of the city and near the beach. Chania has penty of restaurants and cafes, most of them in the old part of the city.

Towns & villages situated North West of Chania Prefecture, following the route from East to West:
• Daratsos
• Galatas
• Therissos
• Agia Marina
• Platanias
• Maleme
• Kolymbari
• Drapanias
• Kissamos (Kastelli)
• Kaliviani
• Falassarna 

Towns & villages situated South West of Chania Prefecture, following the route from West to East:
• Chrissoskalitissa
• Paleochora
• Kandanos
• Agia Roumeli 
 
Towns & villages situated North East of Chania Prefecture, following the route from Chania Town to East:
• Chania Town
• Souda
• Kalives
• Almirida
• Vamos
• Vrisses
• Georgioupolis 
 
Towns & villages situated South East of Chania Prefecture, following the route from West to East:
• Sfakia
• Kournas