About the area
Koum Kapi is a district of the city of Chania, located just outside the eastern walls of the old town of Chania.
The name Koum Kapi is Turkish in origin and means Sand Gate (Kum Kapisi). There is indeed a gate in the Venetian walls here, leading to a sandy beach.
In the mid-19th century there was a Bedouin village at Koum Kapi, the district of the Halikoutes as they were called. Two to three thousand people, mostly working as boatmen, porters and servants, lived there in rush huts.
No trace of the quarter remains today, and the huts have been replaced by smart, trendy cafes, restaurants and bars, all by the sea and overlooking the endless blue of the Cretan Sea.
So, think about Koum Kapi as an additional place for a stroll just outside the old town of Chania, and a couple of hundred meters away of the old harbour of Chania.
About Chania and Crete
Chania is the second largest city of Crete island and the capital of Chania province.
The cilty of Chania is situated on the north western coast of the island, 70 km (43 mi) west of Rethymno and 145 km (90 mi) west of Heraklion city.
The modern city of Chania is built on the ruins of the ancient Minoan settlement called Kydonia.
The city enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate.
From April to October, rainfalls are scarce and clear blue skies are almost an everyday feature.
Summers are sunny and dry but temperatures above 38 °C are not very common, since the prevailing northern winds pleasantly moderate the conditions.
Winters are mild and rainy, though sunny days are very frequent.
Chania is served by the “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” International Airport, on the Akrotiri Peninsula, 13km from Thia Maria,
and the port of Souda with daily ferries to Piraeus, around 7 km (4.3 mi) from the residence.
Thia Maria is located on a residential area, just 0,5km from the centre.
There is an abundance of local shops and super markets as well as banks, pharmacies and doctor’s offices, just a stone’s throw from the Thia Maria.
One of the two beaches of Chania city, Koum Kapi, frequented by locals, is just 150m from the residence.
At Koum Kapi you can have a coffee or an afternoon drink, soaking in the cooling sea breeze.
At a distance of around 1km lies the Old Venetian Harbour and the Old City of Chania.
Wander around the narrow Venetian streets of the Old City and be carried away to another time.
Visit the famous Venetian Lighthouse that is overlooking the harbour.
See the city’s most important sights such as Megalo Arsenali (Great Shipyard), the Neoria (Shipyards) and the Yali Tzamisi Mosque.
The Firkas Fort, at the entrance of the venetian Harbour, houses the Naval Museum with exhibits from the island’s rich naval history.
In the streets of the harbour you can enjoy a cup of coffee, a refreshing cocktail or dine in one of the numerous taverns and restaurants.
