Experience in Chania, Greece by Elli

What is it like to live in Chania? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

It'a s nice rather small city, but really cozy and beautiful. The weather is always nice, but for the humidity, and the sea is not far from the center. Because we start going to the beach from Easter untill october! Even at night, duting which you can always find people (mostly teens and young people) strolling the roads and having fun without fear!

What is the student lifestyle like in Chania?

The student lifestyle... what can i say, it gives you a sese of a familly, since compared to capital cities the scale is smaller, so everyone has a better chance in academic matters. Balancing your student and personal life is also not hard.

How much does it cost to live in Chania?

Chania is considered the second most expesive city of Greece, after Rhode. But so can say that its not such a big problem because u can minimize your transpotation expences sinde you can reach almost everywhere on foot, or by bike. For foreigers though everything seems very cheap.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Chania? Is there any advice you can give?

Not that hard. There are adds on the internet as well as the newspapers, but you always have to meet the landlords before accomodating anywhere. The accomodation is rather cheap, too.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Devine. Healthy or not, but still seems healthy! My fav's consist of gamopilafo of course, whitch is a kind of cooked rice with a special kind of butter (stakoboutiro) and is usually served at wedding parties. Others favorites is grilled fresh fish alongside grilled fresh veggies and of course hare stew!

What places would you recommend visiting in Chania?

The old town, xalepa, koukoubagia cafe - venizelos tombs, tampakaria, every sigle beach, the city center, every inch of the old harbor..... there are so many locations to visit, and so close to each other. Being here for almost a lifetime and still discovering new things!

Is it good to eat out in Chania? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Well, living here i dont usually eat out, we cook home, but one of my favorite spots are the fish-taverns located on the small old harbor of Nea Chora, west side of Chania. And they are practically on the beach, too! Just dont forget to taste ouzo with thatever u choose to eat there. Everything is super fresh ;)

Is the nightlife good in Chania? Where is good to go?

there are places for almost every taste. hipster spots, clubs, small coffe shops, a heavy metal kind of club, art places that also accomodate caffes or bars, cocktail bars and so on. Almost everything is located within the old town. My fav spot for chatting with friends would be piazza di Splantzia, for cocktails would be Baraki, for a night pub style with ethic music, would be Megalo Omikron

What advice would you give future students heading to Chania?

Have fun, you will love this place! Only the Univeristy is out of town, but approx 15min from city center by bus. And dont rent at kounoupidana, where the uni campus is, there are no busses after 11 at night, but then is when out nightlife has just beggun.