CHANIA (Hania)

Chania is one of the nicest towns in Crete, with wonderful houses, parks and squares and a well designed historic town. Chania’s Public Market is an impressive building in the town centre, with grocery stores, butchers' shops, a fish market and vegetable shops. Chania’s Public Gardens, next to Chania Market, are ideal for those in search of shade and tranquillity. Northeast of the Chania gardens is the beautiful neighbourhood of Chalepa where the residences of Prince George and Eleftherios Venizelos were.

Chania old city has preserved to a great extent the distinctive atmosphere and charm of the Venetian and Turkish periods. Entire Venetian, Turkish and Jewish quarters are saved, with well preserved buildings in the narrow picturesque streets. One of the most significant buildings in Chania Old city is the large Venetian church of Aghios Frankiskos which today houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania

HERAKLION (Iraklion)

Located in the middle of the island, all roads lead to Heraklion. Heraklion has a busy harbour and very busy airport and usually is the starting point of travels to Crete and nearby islands.
As it occurs with the rest of the prefectures (a district over which a prefect has jurisdiction) in Crete, Heraklion has a coastline both at the North, in the Aegean Sea and at the South, in the Libyan Sea. Most of Heraklion’s beaches to the North are sandy, some of them well protected from the "meltemia" (northern summer winds), due to the existing bays and small coves. 
The southern Heraklion coasts are open to the South, partly sandy but some of them pebbly, the beaches have crystal clear blue water and very interesting sea beds, for the fans of snorkelling and underwater activities the Heraklion south coast is a must.

The climate is milder in Heraklion compared to the mountainous landscape of Chania or Rethymnon. The central inland part of Heraklion is dedicated to agriculture and the visitor will come across extended enough fields with vegetables, olive trees plantation and vineyards.

RETHYMNON

Rethymnon is the third largest town in Crete with about 25.000 inhabitants. A charming and traditional town Rethymnon is also the capital of the Rethymnon prefecture. The visitor gets impressed by the rare nature of the town. The Venetian and Turkish monuments, the old traditional houses and neighbourhoods, everything makes clear the long history of Rethymnon. 

The nearby beaches are magnificent. The beach of Rethymnon and of Episkopi west of Rethymnon town are well worth the visit. Finally Rethymnon is well known for its nightlife. Taverns, live Cretian music, bars, you choose...

There is direct connection all year round from the port of Rethymnon to Piraeus. Tours to Santorini are also organized during the summer. 
Rethymnon does not have an airport but the city is served by the airports of Chania and Heraklion. 
Public buses can be used for travelling to Chania, Heraklion and most of the towns and villages of the Prefecture of Rethymnon