This is the largest and most important town of western Crete, with a population of over 60,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the eastern shore of the bay of Chania, and is built on the neck of the peninsula, on the site of ancient Kydonia. Chania has, to a large degree, retained its local colour. It is one of the loveliest towns in Greece and the many vestiges of its past give it a particular charm. Entire Venetian, Turkish and Jewish neighbourhoods still survive, with well-preserved buildings, while the modern town, continuing to develop, is built according to well-designed plans, with parks and attractive edifices. It differs considerably from the tasteless big towns of today. Chania disposes of a large number of beds in hotels of various categories.There are also pensions and guest houses. There are many restaurants - some of them offering foreign specialities - tavernas, seafood restaurants, "ouzeries", pastry shops, coffee shops,pubs etc. in every neighbourhood and especially in the harbour area, which is lit up by the shop lights in the evenings and sparkles like a fairy-tale town.