Villages & Towns

Halepa

Chania, Chania · Free

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

About

Chania's elegant old neighbourhood.

Halepa is a district of Chania, east of the old town. In the 19th century it was the most elegant area of the city, where foreign consuls and wealthy families built their mansions. The house of Eleftherios Venizelos is here, as is the Russian-style church of Agia Magdalini.

The district has neoclassical buildings, gardens and a relaxed atmosphere. It's nice for a walk, leading down to the old tanneries of Tabakaria.

In the time of the Cretan State, between 1898 and 1913, Halepa was the seat of the high commissioner, Prince George of Greece, and many foreign consulates stood here. Walking along Eleftheriou Venizelou street you pass grand mansions with gardens, the Venizelos house and the little Russian church. The old tanneries and the swimming spot of Kouloura are at the bottom of the district, by the sea.

Around Chania

Nearest town: Chania, about 4 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 12 km by road

The west of Crete is the island at its most dramatic. Chania has the most beautiful Venetian old town on Crete, wrapped around a harbour with a lighthouse and a domed mosque. In the evening the narrow lanes of Splantzia and the old Jewish quarter fill up with tavernas and small bars. More about Chania