Your stay — Giannis
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The Property — Giannis
The Giannis is a simple, family-run three-star on a quiet side street just off Chania’s old harbour. The lobby feels like a slightly worn but friendly living room – tiled floors, a few plants, and a receptionist who probably remembers your breakfast order from a previous stay. It suits independent travellers who want a clean, no-frills base within walking distance of the Venetian port without paying for sea views or a pool.
Chronicles of Chania
Chania was founded by the Minoans as Kydonia, later became a major Roman and then Byzantine port. The Venetians rebuilt the harbour in the 14th century, adding the lighthouse and arsenals, and the Ottomans later added the mosque and minarets that still punctuate the skyline. In the 20th century the city expanded inland with modernist apartment blocks, but the old town remains a dense maze of narrow lanes where Venetian arches sit above Turkish wooden balconies. Today, Chania is Crete’s most photogenic city, mixing a laid-back café culture with serious archaeology and a thriving food scene centred on the covered market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chania guide →Best months
May, June and September offer warm settled weather (mid-20s°C) with manageable crowds and full ferry schedules to the south coast beaches.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are the absolute peak, driven by European school holidays and charter flights. Hotel prices double or more, and the old harbour is shoulder-to-shoulder from 10am to midnight. The main event is the August full moon when cruise ships and special concerts fill the town.
Budget shoulder season
October and April are the budget-conscious sweet spots: daytime temperatures are still 20-24°C, flights and rooms are 30-50% cheaper, and you’ll have the archaeological sites almost to yourself.
Weather & packing
Chania’s summer heat is always tempered by a strong afternoon breeze called the meltemi, which can pick up suddenly and whip sand off the beach. Pack a light windproof jacket or pashmina for evening harbour walks, and a real sun hat that won't blow off.
Live City Briefing — Chania
- The new Chania bus station at the port (opposite the old harbour) opened in late 2025, replacing the cramped site near the market; all local and regional buses now depart from here.
- Several old-town streets are pedestrianised from 7pm to midnight during July and August, so taxis and hire cars cannot reach many hotels after dark.
- A new direct charter route from Manchester to Chania launched in June 2026, likely increasing British visitor numbers by about 20% for this season.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Giannis, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) facing away from Sfakianaki Street. These rooms get more light and are furthest from street-level noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground floor rooms, especially those at the front—they get street noise from Sfakianaki and foot traffic from the entrance. Also avoid rooms directly above the reception area if it’s busy during the day.
Best views
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) have limited views but are quieter and more private. Front-facing rooms look onto Sfakianaki Street—a typical town street with cafes and shops, not scenic.
Quietest floors
Third floor is quietest. Second floor is okay but still picks up some stair noise from people going up and down.
🔊 Noise notes
Sfakianaki Street has foot traffic, some car traffic, and nearby cafes. There’s no lift, so guests hauling suitcases up stairs create noise on the stairwell. No significant bar or nightclub noise nearby.
Insider tips
1) Book the nearby Koum Kapi car park in advance in summer—spaces fill fast. It’s a 5-min walk, €12/day, no EV charging. 2) Since there’s no lift, request a first-floor room if you have heavy luggage, or be prepared to carry bags up two flights.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Giannis
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed approx 20 Mbps down, login via room number and surname no time limit.
No lift. 3-storey walk-up with stairs only (no historic sections, all floors via stairs).
No complimentary newsstand or physical newspapers.
Standard check-in 14:00–23:00. Early bag drop allowed after 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs €25; after 12:00 charged full night.
Complimentary luggage storage in locked room behind reception, available 08:00–22:00.
No step-free access. Main entrance has two steps; no wheelchair ramp or accessible rooms. Lift absent.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park at Koum Kapi (5 min walk) costs €12 per 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night (charged at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required 14 days before arrival; €50 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Transfiguration Of The Saviour (461 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Agios Antonios (550 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Άγιος Νικόλαος (622 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: Αγία Μαρίνα (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town; avoid exchange bureaux at Chania Airport or tourist centres as they give poor rates and charge high fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but smaller tavernas and markets often prefer cash; contactless is common.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants, not expected in taxis, and a couple of euros for hotel staff if they help with bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappe or freddo espresso at a local kafenio costs about €2.50-€3.50.
A gyros pita with salad from a street-side grill stand for €4-€6.
A main course at a taverna in the backstreets away from the harbour, like moussaka or grilled fish, for €10-€15.
The Old Town side streets off the harbour have clusters of souvlaki and gyros shops, and the market area near Odos 1866 has several cheap eats.
Supermarkets like Synka, Masoutis, and Lidl are common for basics.
The main shopping street, Odos Chalidon, has chain stores like H&M and Zara for affordable fashion.
Bus tickets cost €1.20 for a single journey within the city; from Chania Airport a budget option is the KTEL bus (around €2.50) into the town centre.
Eat in tavernas away from the waterfront for lower prices; buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets not tourist kiosks; use the public bus instead of taxis for short trips.
Good to know — Chania
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
ChaniaFor general emergencies in Greece, dial 112 (works in English). For Chania-specific assistance, the tourist police (Chania office) can be reached at +30 28210 27072. Local hospitals: Chania General Hospital 'Agios Georgios' (+30 28213 42000).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chania, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Giannis
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sorta Apartments (stop: Agia Marina) → Chania Old Town (stop: Venizelou Square)
💡 Buy a 24-hour ticket for 3.50€ if you plan multiple trips; the bus runs along the coastal road and gets packed in summer—stand by the rear door.
Sorta Apartments → Chania Old Town
💡 Use Taxi Chania app to avoid haggling; taxis in Crete rarely use meters for short hops—agree the fare before getting in.
Chania International Airport (CHQ) → Chania City Bus Station (near Sorta Apartments)
💡 Get the KTEL app for real-time schedules; the bus drops you a 7-min walk from Sorta Apartments, but luggage space is tight.
Chania International Airport (CHQ) → Sorta Apartments, Chania
💡 Book through the Welcome Pickups app for a fixed rate of 30€; local taxis often don't have card readers.
About Chania
Wikipedia ↗
Chania (Greek: Χανιά, Khaniá, pronounced [xaˈɲa] ), also sometimes romanized as Hania, is a city in Greece and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It lies along the north west coast of the island Crete, about 70 km (43 mi) west of Rethymno and 145 km (90 mi) west of Heraklion. The municipality ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Giannis?
Request a room on the top floor (third floor) facing away from Sfakianaki Street. These rooms get more light and are furthest from street-level noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Giannis?
Avoid ground floor rooms, especially those at the front—they get street noise from Sfakianaki and foot traffic from the entrance. Also avoid rooms directly above the reception area if it’s busy during the day.
Is Giannis noisy?
Sfakianaki Street has foot traffic, some car traffic, and nearby cafes. There’s no lift, so guests hauling suitcases up stairs create noise on the stairwell. No significant bar or nightclub noise nearby.
Which rooms have the best views at Giannis?
Rooms at the back (courtyard side) have limited views but are quieter and more private. Front-facing rooms look onto Sfakianaki Street—a typical town street with cafes and shops, not scenic.
What are insider tips for staying at Giannis?
1) Book the nearby Koum Kapi car park in advance in summer—spaces fill fast. It’s a 5-min walk, €12/day, no EV charging. 2) Since there’s no lift, request a first-floor room if you have heavy luggage, or be prepared to carry bags up two flights.
What time is check-in at Giannis?
Check-in at Giannis is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Giannis have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed approx 20 Mbps down, login via room number and surname no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Giannis?
€1.50 per room per night (charged at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Giannis?
A gyros pita with salad from a street-side grill stand for €4-€6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Giannis?
Bus tickets cost €1.20 for a single journey within the city; from Chania Airport a budget option is the KTEL bus (around €2.50) into the town centre.
When is the best time to visit Chania?
May, June and September offer warm settled weather (mid-20s°C) with manageable crowds and full ferry schedules to the south coast beaches.
Top Attractions in Chania
💡 Walk up the ramp inside the main gate for a photo spot over the harbour. The small museum inside costs €4 but the ramparts are free.
💡 Go mid-morning when stalls are fully stocked. Don't buy olive oil from the first stand – compare prices at the back. Free tasting of olives and cheeses if you ask politely.
💡 At sunset, sit on the low wall by the palm trees near the beach volleyball court. The light hits the old town walls perfectly. No entry fee, no facilities – bring water.
💡 Visit at sunrise to avoid crowds and get clean photos. The lighthouse path is free but gets busy after 10am.
💡 Walk 10 minutes west along the coastal path from the harbour. Avoid the area near the central drain pipe – swim further east.