Chania beaches overview: Detailed descriptions of Crete's finest coastlines from pink sand paradises to snorkeling havens with routes, costs and local insights
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In this article, I’ll describe in detail the beaches located in the vicinity of Chania city that deserve special attention. For convenience, I’ve divided all beaches into sandy ones, those suitable for snorkeling and diving, for nudism and active recreation.
Also, the article includes descriptions of one beach on Lake Kournas, one city beach, and several simply beautiful beaches that I’ve added as a bonus.
Before moving on to beach descriptions, I want to draw your attention that many of these beaches can be reached by regular buses (if you’re not afraid of transfers and many-hour trips in the heat), with great desire.
However, if you want to visit the most beautiful Cretan beaches with relative comfort, the simplest way will be to rent a car in Crete. I recommend doing this on large international portals: Discovercars, Economybookings or Autoeurope.
Comparing prices for car brands and dates that interest you on these three portals, you will undoubtedly be able to find a good car rental option on Crete island. Such a search usually takes us from 30 minutes to an hour. And we’re always satisfied with the options found.
Also, I recommend carefully reading the article about our experience renting a car in Crete, where I described all the nuances of this process – from searching for profitable offers to receiving and returning the car, insurance, deposits and other issues you may encounter in local rental companies.
For those who are not satisfied with either traveling by regular bus or renting a car, in this article I tried to select ready-made tours to some of the beaches described here, available on the international tour portal Getyourguide.
Beaches in Chania
Nea Chora Beach (Chania city beach)
Nea Chora is a very long sandy beach located 1 km west of Chania city center, on Akti Papanikolli Street. You can walk here from Chania harbor, it takes approximately 15 minutes.
The main Nea Chora beach is very well organized, with necessary amenities nearby. This is an excellent sandy beach with rocks in some places.
Nea Chora is ideal for those who want beach relaxation not far from the city center. Near the beach, there’s an old soap factory (you can still see its tall chimney), and Chania city’s central pool.
Nea Chora is popular among locals because there are many fish taverns. And of course, many restaurants, snack bars and cafes.
Entry into the sea is gentle, the beach is equipped with sun umbrellas and sun loungers, changing cabins and showers
Agii Apostoli Beach or Iguana Beach
Two beaches at Agii Apostoli (i.e. Holy Apostles) are located just 3 km west of Chania. This is a beautiful place located in a deep bay, just east of Glaros beach. Magnificent sandy beach with all amenities, with large parking nearby.
There’s a small peninsula formed in the western part of the beach that protects it from winds. On the peninsula there’s a wonderful park – ideal for leisurely walks, as well as the Chapel of the Holy Apostles, from which this Chania suburb takes its name.
When strong northwest wind blows on Crete’s north coast, beaches at Agii Apostoli are relatively calm and many locals and tourists hide here from sea agitation
The second “twin” bay is formed several dozen meters east of the first beach. It can boast beautiful turquoise waters and wonderful sand.
Rock formations on this side are simply amazing. In the eastern part of the beach, there’s a small pine grove stretching east to Golden Beach.
You can reach the bays by bus from Chania or even on foot. Besides, Agii Apostoli is an ideal place for cycling, as there’s a wide road for cyclists and pedestrians. Beach paradise with all amenities and a large selection of hotels around.
Agii Apostoli Beach can boast smooth entry into the sea
Agios Onoufrios Beach
Agios Onoufrios is a small seaside village in Akrotiri, located 8 km north of Chania and near Kounoupidiana. Agios Onoufrios village is actually a Chania suburb, as it’s very close to the city. It’s named after a small church near the beach.
The beach is quiet and hidden in a well-protected bay. At the same time, it’s pebbly and not very well organized. Here, residents of nearby villages and towns mainly prefer to relax. The picturesque landscape with traditional taverns and calm sea is a good reason to visit Agios Onoufrios.
Agios Onoufrios is located on Akrotiri peninsula, in the Kounoupidiana area, 10 kilometers from Chania city, in a small bay
Best sandy beaches near Chania
Balos Beach (Balos Lagoon)
Balos is Crete’s best beach, with snow-white and pink sand, sandbars that cut through the fabulously beautiful sea, surrounded by picturesque shores. This place is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire Mediterranean.
Balos is located in northwestern Crete in the Chania region, in the bay of the same name
Balos Bay, together with the surrounding territory, has been declared a protected area. The beach has preserved its pristine appearance since ancient times, and it seems that no achievements of civilization have touched it.
The beach is absolutely wild; there are no cafes or restaurants nearby, and getting here is quite difficult. Water in Balos Bay remains calm even when a strong storm rages at sea.
The bay is famous for its extraordinary crystal water, which is so clean that on a bright sunny day you can count up to 10 different color shades, from pale azure to dark blue. This feature is explained by the fact that three seas meet in Balos beach waters: Aegean, Ionian, and Libyan.
Incredibly beautiful combination of azure, crystal clear water and pink sand on the shore create truly impressive landscapes
Elafonissi Beach
Elafonissi is one of the most beautiful Cretan beaches on the island, located on Crete’s western coast, opposite a small island with the same name.
The calm and clean sea in this place has different depths – both adults and children will find a suitable option for themselves. Entry into water is gradual and safe, there are no stones or slabs nearby. The coast is covered with white and pink sand.
The number of people on the beach is large at any time of year. The main number of tourists relaxing on Elafonissi island come here by buses from surrounding villages, so peak beach attendance is from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Elafonissi Beach is one of the island’s most visited beaches, it’s famous for its pink sand and crystal clear, transparent water
From free beach infrastructure, it’s worth noting the presence of toilets and changing rooms, and for money you can get umbrellas and sun loungers. You can buy soft drinks and have a light snack at the only small cafe (the menu has drinks and sandwiches/hot dogs). There are no organized entertainments here.
Due to the large number of tourists, you often need to stand in line to access beach amenities, and most of what’s available at the cafe runs out before evening. Therefore, before going to Elafonissi beach, we advise stocking up on food and water, and also taking an umbrella or awning with you (there’s almost no natural shade here).
If you’re going to the beach by car, be careful and allow time – a narrow, partially unpaved road leads to Elafonissi, where spontaneous traffic jams are not uncommon. There’s no organized parking in this place.
The number of people on the beach is large at any time of year
Kedrodasos Beach
A sandy wild beach with wonderful views. Like Elafonissi, it’s also located on the island’s western coast (the distance between these beaches is only 1.5 km).
This place is paradise for lovers of quiet relaxation and untouched nature. Right by the sea there’s a juniper forest, a bit further – hills and black stones, and massive mountains are visible in the distance.
There are practically no tourists on Kedrodasos, but this place is popular with locals. Those wishing to admire beautiful landscapes need to consider that there’s no infrastructure on the beach at all, so water, food, sunscreens and other things must definitely be taken with you.
We love Kedrodasos beach very much for its picturesque landscapes, for the combination of azure water color with bright saturated greenery of juniper grove, for the fact that after swimming enough at Elafonissi, you can escape here, hide from the crowd, to enjoy the sea and sun in solitude in the shade of juniper
The water at Kedrodasos is warm and transparent. But in summer strong wind often blows here, due to which waves rise in the sea. The only shade on the beach is created by junipers, however they’re often surrounded by large slabs or stones.
The beach’s main disadvantage is its inconvenient location. It’s located 40 km from Kissamos city and can be reached only by car on an unpaved road or on foot (30 minutes from Elafonissi through quite rough terrain).
Since Kedrodasos is a wild beach, there are no such equipped beach attributes as shower or umbrellas with sun loungers
Platanias Beach
The seaside village of Platanias is located 11 km west of Chania. The entire Chania region, during recent decades, has been actively developing thanks to tourism and now Platanias is actually a Chania suburb.
The village is located on a slope from which fantastic views open. During summer nights, most local clubs and disco bars host thousands of visitors who dance in them until dawn.
Most often, young people choose Platanias for relaxation, as there are many discos and nightclubs here
Platanias Beach is a beautiful large sandy beach along which many hotels of any category and all necessary tourist infrastructure have been built. On the beach you’ll find everything necessary to make relaxation here comfortable and safe (beach bars, umbrellas, sun loungers, snack bars, lifeguard towers, water sports equipment rental, etc.).
In the eastern part of the village pier, closer to Agia Marina, you can enjoy swimming in several small artificial bays, especially pleasant to do on windless days.
Short distance from the city, beautiful beach and regular bus services from Chania made Platanias the most popular beach resort near Chania.
Best beaches for snorkeling and diving near Chania
Marmara Beach
Marble beach got its name thanks to beautiful caves located not far from shore. This is the best place for snorkeling and diving; many tourists include it in the list of must-visit places in Crete.
Marmara is a small beach not designed for large numbers of tourists. Here fit only a few dozen paid sun loungers and umbrellas, an excellent tavern with low prices and tasty food, boat rental area.
The beach is covered with small pebbles, entry into water here is convenient, waves are rare. It is a very picturesque place.
No automobile roads lead to Marmara beach, so you can get here two ways:
- by boat, which regularly runs here from Loutro (located 7 km away);
- or on foot, if you’re somewhere nearby.
Mavros Molos Beach
Mavros Molos Beach (i.e. Black Pier) is located right in front of Kissamos, 36 km west of Chania. Mavros Molos is a long bay where remains of ancient Kissamos port were found.
Mavros Molos Beach with wide coastline is equipped with sun umbrellas and sun loungers, changing cabins and showers
This is Kissamos’s main beach, which hosts most of the region’s guests. Large beach with wonderful sand and relatively shallow waters. Near the beach, there are many cafes, restaurants and hotels. As well as umbrellas, sun loungers and lifeguard towers. There are also many tamarisk trees providing natural shade.
To the west, from the main Mavros Molos beach, there’s a small rocky cove covered with pebbles. The cove never gets crowded and is suitable for snorkeling.
Best wild beaches for nudism and active recreation near Chania
Seitan Limania Beach (or Devil's Harbor)
This beach is intended for active tourists for whom climbing steep hills under hot sun seems like a good adventure. On the last descent to the beach, at the mountain’s foot, a piece of turquoise water flaunts – this is the Aegean Sea visible, surrounded on all sides by rocks.
One of the most attractive and quite inaccessible beaches of Crete
This place is not intended for long swims, sunbathing or water entertainment – people come here for new impressions and inspiration. Don’t be surprised if you don’t find cafes or changing rooms here – infrastructure in this place is absolutely undeveloped.
Seitan Limania is one of the few wild beaches that can be reached by bus. Ticket price – from 3 euros. Buses depart three times a day from Bus Station Chania. The beach itself is located 22 kilometers east of Chania and is part of Akrotiri peninsula.
Be sure to go to Seitan Limania in comfortable beach shoes.
This is what the path to Seitan Limania beach looks like
Georgioupolis Beach
In northern Crete is located a historical province named after Prince George of Greece, who constantly came here hunting. He was attracted here by virgin forests covering gentle mountain peaks, with an abundance of various fauna; rivers rich in fish; azure sea expanses.
The past century did not reflect negatively on these beautiful places’ ecology, and the opportunity to engage in active recreation throughout the year attracts many tourists here.
Near the small fishing town of Georgioupolis is located one of Crete’s longest beaches (its length is about 10 km).
Here are excellent swimming conditions: smooth, even bottom, mixture of warm currents, quiet and cozy harbor without large waves. Eucalyptus thickets saturate the air with phytoncides, creating a healing microclimate.
Fishing enthusiasts have places to sit with a fishing rod – rivers (Delphinos and Turtle) are rich in fish. Pleasant impressions remain from hiking in picturesque surroundings, horseback riding and, in general, from all time spent in this blessed paradise corner of Crete.
Entry into sea is gentle, bottom and shore are sandy, coastline is quite narrow
Sougia Beach
Sougia is a small settlement located 75 km southwest of Chania, at the exit from the amazingly beautiful Agia Irini gorge (Saint Irene). In the 70s this was a favorite hippie place; today it’s an ideal choice for quiet relaxation.
Here’s a beautiful landscape with all necessary beach amenities. In Sougia you’ll find many restaurants, taverns, coffee shops, bars, mini-markets, kiosks and ATMs. However, you won’t find a gas station or hospital here.
Here’s a wide coastline, thanks to which a pleasant sense of spaciousness is created and there’s an opportunity to settle with your umbrella wherever you like
In the village’s seaside part is a long, beautiful and calm beach with coarse sand and crystal clear water. The beach starts in the west in a small bay, stretches east for 1.5 km and ends in another bay hidden between rocks and protected from prying eyes.
The eastern part of the long beach is not organized and collects exclusively nudists.
On the central beach, opposite the village, at vacationers’ service are umbrellas, sun loungers, showers, water sports equipment, as well as lifeguard towers. Many tamarisk trees grow along the beach, under which you can find shade or pitch a tent.
In summer, boats run here daily from Hora Sfakion, Paleochora, Agia Roumeli and Loutro. Also, there are regular routes to Gavdos island.
Despite the fact that Sougia is quite a popular resort with good infrastructure, here even in high season there are not many people (verified in different years in July and, especially, in August)
Blue Flag beaches near Chania
Falasarna Beach
This is not just one of Crete’s best beaches, it’s part of a beautiful resort of the same name with a long history.
Falasarna is located 50 km from Chania. On this long, sandy coast, the Blue Flag of Europe has been flaunting for several years, awarded to it for cleanliness. Here, joyful cries of little travelers are heard daily, and adult tourists admire beautiful sunsets.
The beach is fully equipped and has all necessary amenities for vacationers, of whom there are many at any time of year. At Falasarna there are sun loungers and umbrellas, toilets, changing rooms, volleyball court, boat rental area. Nearby are two cafes with decent menus where you can taste Cretan cuisine dishes.
Falasarna is one of western Crete’s most popular beaches
Getting to Falasarna is quite simple – a regular bus runs here from Chania. If you’re traveling by rented car, in this case you also don’t need to worry. The road to the beach is straight and asphalted, there will be a small serpentine only at the end of the route.
Entry into the sea at Falasarna is very convenient – sandy and gentle. Depth increases gradually and over quite a long distance, so it enjoys great popularity among families with children.
The beach’s only disadvantage is water temperature, as it’s always a few degrees colder here than in other corners of Crete.
Stalos Beach
Stalos village is located 7 km west of Chania, between Kalamaki and Agia Marina. Like this entire region, Stalos is well developed and attracts quite a large number of tourists every summer.
Kato Stalos (i.e. Lower Stalos), which is the coastal part of Stalos village, has a fantastic sandy beach. The beach is very well organized and equipped with all possible tourist amenities. Therefore, this beach is awarded the Blue Flag every year.
Pano Stalos (i.e. Upper Stalos) – the southern part of the village is located 150 m south of the beach. There’s no beach here, but this place is surrounded by green hills and amazing rock formations.
Sandy beach located 7.5 kilometers from Chania city, 34 kilometers from Kissamos settlement, 2 kilometers from resort village Agia Marina, directly in Kato Stalos village
Stalos village is an ideal place to stay during vacation. It’s located close enough to Chania city and offers all necessary tourist services for visitors. Regular bus services to Chania run from here.
Beaches for family vacation near Chania
Gialiskari Beach (Yaliskari)
The beautiful Greek word Gialiskari denotes a complex of beaches located 5 km east of the resort town Paleochora.
Here, on the wide and clean coast, every vacationer will find a place to their liking: pebbles or sand, wild beach without amenities or sunbathing on comfortable sun loungers, peaceful enjoyment of calm sea or jumping into water from large boulders.
From Paleochora to Gialiskari you can get by bus or by car. It’s worth considering that roads leading to the beach are narrow and winding, and organized parking here is paid.
The beach is surrounded by mountains and hills; in some places coniferous trees grow, giving natural shade. Water at Gialiskari is warm, and entry into water is gentle. Here you can have a great vacation with small children.
From available entertainments: catamarans, boats, jet skis, snorkeling.
At Gialiskari there are three beaches: two of them are located in open area, and shade can’t be found here, and on the third tamarisks grow, in whose shade you can take shelter from the sun
Marathi Beach (Marafi)
Marathi is located 17 km east of Chania and 5 km east of the military base in Souda, on the southeastern coast of Akrotiri cape. This is quite a popular resort in the Chania area and it attracts many tourists here every summer.
In Marathi village there are two beautiful beaches with fine sand and calm water. They’re both ideally suited for vacationing with children. The beaches are well protected from wind and face south, thanks to which views of Lefka Ori (White Mountains) open from them. Marathi beaches are separated by a small bay with a marina located in it.
Marathi beaches are well organized and have all necessary vacation amenities nearby.
500 m opposite Marathi is a small island Old Souda (Palaio Souda), which you can swim to or reach by catamaran. On the island there’s a small pine forest, and the western shore is quite steep and popular among diving enthusiasts.
Marathi beaches are well protected from wind, entry into sea here is gentle, so this place is popular with families with children
Besides beach relaxation, Marathi village surroundings can boast historical landmarks.
If you walk northeast along the road going along the shore, near the beach you can see the ruins of ancient Roman Minoa located there, which probably was the port of Aptera city. In the archaeological zone, which is also known as the Little Palace of Minos (although it doesn’t belong to the Minoan era), you can discover remains of Roman baths and ancient military buildings, which are probably connected with the ancient port. Also, on the beach remains part of a semicircular wall that was once washed by the sea.
Continuing to walk along the beach, passing places where wild ducks usually rest, you can reach the Church of Saint Spyridon, where wedding ceremonies and baptisms are traditionally held.
If you go from the ancient Roman port in the southwest direction, you’ll find yourself at the end of a small bay where you can find a beach with large pebbles. The beach in this place is called Sosorides. It’s very popular with locals who are looking for a quiet place to relax without numerous tourists.
An asphalted road also leads to Sosorides, along which, passing Marathi village, you can drive from Chania’s direction.
Not far from Marathi beach are ruins from Minoan times. Excavations here were started back in 1939, thanks to mentions of them in notes of English traveler Robert Pashley
Kournas Beach: swimming at a non-sea beach
If during your vacation in Crete you suddenly get tired of the sea – head to the lake.
In beauty, Kournas beach doesn’t yield to sea ones – here’s transparent blue water, around forested mountains, on shore white fine sand. There are no umbrellas and sun loungers on the coast – this is prohibited by law here. But there are taverns, shops and parking. And you can take shelter from the sun in the shade of numerous trees.
Lake Kournas belongs to Chania nome (prefecture). But from Rethymno, it’s closer to this lake – about 20 km
Greeks love this place very much – they come here with whole families; you can often see them walking around the water body and feeding ducks.
Here you can rent a catamaran or kayak to enjoy views from the water side. Catamaran rental cost is 8 euros per hour.
It’s worth considering that this beach is seasonal: in winter water in the lake rises and at this time there’s practically no beach.