For a Greek version click here.

Hello, hello! It took me a while, but here is my first article in English!

Now that the tourist season it’s getting closer to its peak, many are looking for somewhere to go for vacations. Greek islands seem always like a good choice. Are they though?

Yes and no. For the average traveller, Greek islands are undoubtedly a great solution, with perfect weather, unique beaches, delicious food, hospitable people, and in general, everything you could ask for your vacation. Unless you are disabled… Then there is a problem. Average or even nonexistent accessibility, few options for accommodation and almost nonexistent for accessible means of transport, and in general not much that you could do or see. Don’t take me wrong, year by year things are improving, but we still have a lot of work to do in order to be considered an accessible country.

In the past, and taking all that into consideration, I would advise you to travel abroad (like I have done numerous times), and have peace of mind. Now however, and after experiencing it personally, I have a better, and local, proposal to make you: Chania, on Crete island.

Access City Award

Chania, apart from being one of the most beautiful Greek cities (by the way, -and let’s keep it between us- very few towns in Greece could be called beautiful), it is one of the most accessible ones (even fewer) and this is not something I say, but the European Commission, which awarded a special mention to the Cretan city for its accessibility, during a ceremony for the European Access City Award some years ago – making it the first Greek city to have ever been awarded (followed, the year after, the city of Komotini).

This did not happen by accident. In 2020 I found myself there for vacations (for the second time, after 10 years) and sincerely, I have only good things to say.

How to go and where to stay

If you are not in Crete, there are two ways to go there: by airplane or ship. I would not suggest using an airplane, firstly because it is not ecological and Greta would be sad, and secondly because it is quite tiring and burdening to do so, especially if you have a wheelchair and want it to arrive in one piece. The ship on the other side, is comfortable, accessible and offers many choices while on it (from restaurants and shops to beds and sleep).

After booking your ship tickets nicely and smoothly, you have to look for a place to stay. This in general is not a problem, as Crete is a big island with many options, numerous among them being accessible. Nevertheless, I have also a proposal, as we are talking here for a quite special case. Its name? Eria Resort.

Eria, is a very beautiful hotel which targets mostly disabled visitors and their companions. It is among the most accessible hotels in the country. Among others, it has its own accessible vehicles, which can take you everywhere (for example I went for a day trip to Knossos), it has special beds that can be elevated, and generally any equipment you may need (from scooter to hoist and shower chair), even accessible swimming pool and jacuzzi. Ah, and great staff that know everything (e.g. in which place the toilet is accessible in x village etc)! It is located in Maleme, a few kilometres away from the city of Chania, but this is not a problem, as except for what we have already said, that it has its own vehicles etc, nearby there is a stop for the accessible bus (yes, there are accessible buses on a Greek island)!

In general, Eria has contributed significantly for the accessibility of the municipality of Chania. I do understand that accommodation of such a type (special hotel) is not for everyone, and that the prices are an issue, however if you want to have peace of mind from troubles, Eria is perfect for you.

What to do

When in Chania, it is certain that you will not get bored, as there are many things to do and see. First advice always and everywhere is to walk/roll the city, to “feel” it. A walk at the historical city of Chania is a multicultural experience, as you will find yourself at Enetic, Ottoman, Byzantine, and Jewish corners, and also obviously the ancient-Minoan element could not be absent.

As for sightseeing, there are many options: the famous lighthouse and the mosque at the harbour (which is by itself a sight), the Archeological Museum of Chania (which when I visited was accommodated at a former Enetic monastery), the St. Nicolas church in Splantzia (with the rare phenomenon to have a belfry and a minaret together), the central market (with a wide range of local products), the Venizelian tombs on the hill (with a superb view) and many more. You don’t need me to tell you that there are many other sightseeing spots on the outskirts as well, with the most famous being the gorgeous beaches (some with SeaTrac, which is an accessibility device helping disabled people to get into the sea).

However, dear reader, the main answer to the question “what to do there?” is “to eat!”. Oh! You cannot even imagine how delicious Cretan cuisine is! Anywhere you go, anything you take will be super tasty. I’ve been to many places, but I have not seen anything like that. Ntakos, staka, bourekia, kalitsounia, seafood, meat, salads, everything you can imagine! I think that so much deliciousness can be attributed to two “ingredients”: the Cretan products of high quality, but also to the Cretan filoxenia (hospitality) – thus to the island’s people. By the way, if you want to elevate (take off) your experience, then go to Perasma at Maleme, a family-owned taverna (restaurant) with great dishes and their unique rakolemono (liquor of raki with lemon), and you will thank me later!

To conclude

If you are a disabled traveller and are looking for vacations on an island, then Creta, and Chania in particular, is a great choice, especially in case you are a newcomer and do not wish to dive into deep waters (metaphorically). You will have an amazing and fulfilling time, you will eat well and you will experience the “summer in Greece” at its best. If you are not disabled, of course nothing changes, as Chania is a fantastic option for all and is worth a visit anyway.

P.S. It is important to note that I am addressing everyone, disabled or not, and that my experiences are those of an electrical wheelchair user. That means that someone who has for example a visual/hearing impairment or autism etc may not find the information or the places mentioned equally accessible.

——————–

Did you find this article interesting? Would you like me to write more in English about Greece or any other country I have visited? Please let me know in the comments and on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter! And if you found it useful, I would appreciate it if you could spread it on your networks!