Chania beaches
Numerous beautiful beaches with soft sand or colored pebbles are found in the prefecture of Chania in western Crete. Many Chania beaches are among the best on the island, such as Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi. Apart from organized beaches in Chania Greece, there are also plenty of deserted coves and lovely bays to enjoy total privacy. All Chania beaches though have crystal waters and look like paradise. You will find below a list of the best beaches in Chania Crete.
Except for the beaches, there are also many places for sightseeing. Discover the best things to see in Chania.
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Guide to 46 beaches
Discover our guide to 46 beautiful Chania beaches. They are all presented with a detailed description, photos and their location on a map of Chania. For the most popular spots, we also provide information about sightseeing in the area, a selection of hotels and reviews.
Elafonisi beach
Partly-Organized, Windsurfing, Sandy, Nudism-FriendlyLocation: 82 km southwest of Chania Town
Description: Elafonisi is regarded as one of the most breathtaking beaches in Crete. It is world-known for its pink sand, which is a result of seashells being crumbled naturally.
Balos beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non-OrganizedLocation: 60 km northwest of Chania Town
Description: Balos is an amazing beach on the northwesternmost spot of Chania. It is accessed through a track road or by boat from Kissamos.
Falassarna beach
Partly-Organized, Windsurfing, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 58 km west of Chania
Description: Falassarna is a lovely tourist resort with a long sandy beach. It lies on the northwestern spot of Crete. The area is filled with olive groves and other vegetation.
Frangokastello beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 80 km south east from Chania Town
Description: This long and sandy beach is located on the southern side of Crete, in front of an imposing Venetian Castle.
Pahia Ammos beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, WatersportsLocation: 80 km south west of Chania Town
Description: Pahia Ammos is the most popular beach close to Paleochora, on the southern side of Crete. It is organized and has golden sand.
Georgioupolis beach
Sandy, Family Friendly, Well-Organized, WatersportsLocation: 37 km southeast of Chania Town
Description: Georgioupolis is a long and sandy beach that is frequented by hundreds in summer. It is well-organized and many accommodations are located around it.
Sfakia beach
Family Friendly, Pebbled, Well-OrganizedLocation: 72 km south east of Chania Town
Description: This small beach is located in a walking distance from the village of Sfakia. It has pebbled coast and it is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds.
Agioi Apostoloi beach
Diving Club, Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 3 km west of Chania Town
Description: This sandy beach gets very popular in summer due to its closeness to Chania Town. It provides a lovely environment to relax.
Loutraki beach
Sandy, Family Friendly, Well-OrganizedLocation: 12 km east of Chania Town
Description: Loutraki beach has crystal and shallow water, which makes it perfect for families with kids.
Maleme beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 16 km west of Chania Town
Description: Maleme is a picturesque tourist village with historical importance for Crete. This is where German parachutists landed in 1941 and managed to conquer Crete.
Souda Beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, SecludedLocation: 7 km east of Chania Town
Description: The beach of Souda is pretty popular due to its closeness to Chania Town. It serves as a nice base for excursions in the wider area.
Agia Marina beach
Diving Club, Sandy, Family Friendly, Well-Organized, WatersportsLocation: 9 km west of Chania Town
Description: This is a popular tourist resort, whose bars and clubs are a great pole of attraction for the youth of Chania. It has many tourist and water sports facilities, and the beach is well-organized.
Drapanias beach
Pebbled, Non-OrganizedLocation: 35 km west of Chania Town
Description: Drapanias is a sandy and pebbly beach close to Kissamos, the second biggest village of Chania Prefecture. As it doesn't have many tourist facilities, it provides a relaxing spot that is ideal for families with children.
Finikas beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non-OrganizedLocation: 80 km south of Chania Town
Description: Finikas is a remote partly organized beach in southern Crete, which is ideal for snorkeling and spearfishing. From here, you can go on short boat trips to Loutro or Marmara Beach.
Germaniko Pouli beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 2 km west of Chania Town
Description: This is a long sandy beach close to Chania Town, which gets very popular in summer.
Gialiskari beach
Partly-Organized, Pebbled, Secluded, Nudism-FriendlyLocation: 80 km south west of Chania Town
Description: A small beach near Paleochora, Gialiskari has soft pebbles and clean water.
Glyka Nera beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non-OrganizedLocation: 73 km south east of Chania Town
Description: Glyka Nera is a narrow, secluded bay close to Sfakia, on the southern side of Chania. It is the ideal place for total isolation and the wild landscape amazes visitors.
Golden Beach
Diving Club, Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Small Harbor, WatersportsLocation: 1 km west of Chania Town
Description: This is the closest beach to Chania Town, in a walking distance from the city centre, therefore it gets very popular in summer.
Grammeno beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 75 km south west of Chania Town
Description: In close distance to Paleochora, Grammeno is a large beach with soft sand and clean water. Some parts are organized, while others are secluded.
Kalamaki beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 7 km west of Chania Town
Description: A golden sandy beach in close distance to Chania Town, Kalamaki is a popular and organized tourist resort.
Kalathas beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 15 km north east of Chania Town
Description: This is a lovely beach resort in the peninsula of Akrotiri, in a close distance from Chania Town.
Elafonisi beach
Partly-Organized, Windsurfing, Sandy, Nudism-FriendlyLocation: 82 km southwest of Chania Town
Description: Elafonisi is regarded as one of the most breathtaking beaches in Crete. It is world-known for its pink sand, which is a result of seashells being crumbled naturally.
Balos beach
Sandy, Secluded, Non-OrganizedLocation: 60 km northwest of Chania Town
Description: Balos is an amazing beach on the northwesternmost spot of Chania. It is accessed through a track road or by boat from Kissamos.
Falassarna beach
Partly-Organized, Windsurfing, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 58 km west of Chania
Description: Falassarna is a lovely tourist resort with a long sandy beach. It lies on the northwestern spot of Crete. The area is filled with olive groves and other vegetation.
Frangokastello beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 80 km south east from Chania Town
Description: This long and sandy beach is located on the southern side of Crete, in front of an imposing Venetian Castle.
Pahia Ammos beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, WatersportsLocation: 80 km south west of Chania Town
Description: Pahia Ammos is the most popular beach close to Paleochora, on the southern side of Crete. It is organized and has golden sand.
Georgioupolis beach
Sandy, Family Friendly, Well-Organized, WatersportsLocation: 37 km southeast of Chania Town
Description: Georgioupolis is a long and sandy beach that is frequented by hundreds in summer. It is well-organized and many accommodations are located around it.
Sfakia beach
Family Friendly, Pebbled, Well-OrganizedLocation: 72 km south east of Chania Town
Description: This small beach is located in a walking distance from the village of Sfakia. It has pebbled coast and it is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds.
Agioi Apostoloi beach
Diving Club, Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 3 km west of Chania Town
Description: This sandy beach gets very popular in summer due to its closeness to Chania Town. It provides a lovely environment to relax.
Loutraki beach
Sandy, Family Friendly, Well-OrganizedLocation: 12 km east of Chania Town
Description: Loutraki beach has crystal and shallow water, which makes it perfect for families with kids.
Maleme beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 16 km west of Chania Town
Description: Maleme is a picturesque tourist village with historical importance for Crete. This is where German parachutists landed in 1941 and managed to conquer Crete.
Souda Beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, SecludedLocation: 7 km east of Chania Town
Description: The beach of Souda is pretty popular due to its closeness to Chania Town. It serves as a nice base for excursions in the wider area.
Agia Marina beach
Diving Club, Sandy, Family Friendly, Well-Organized, WatersportsLocation: 9 km west of Chania Town
Description: This is a popular tourist resort, whose bars and clubs are a great pole of attraction for the youth of Chania. It has many tourist and water sports facilities, and the beach is well-organized.
Drapanias beach
Pebbled, Non-OrganizedLocation: 35 km west of Chania Town
Description: Drapanias is a sandy and pebbly beach close to Kissamos, the second biggest village of Chania Prefecture. As it doesn't have many tourist facilities, it provides a relaxing spot that is ideal for families with children.
Finikas beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non-OrganizedLocation: 80 km south of Chania Town
Description: Finikas is a remote partly organized beach in southern Crete, which is ideal for snorkeling and spearfishing. From here, you can go on short boat trips to Loutro or Marmara Beach.
Germaniko Pouli beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 2 km west of Chania Town
Description: This is a long sandy beach close to Chania Town, which gets very popular in summer.
Gialiskari beach
Partly-Organized, Pebbled, Secluded, Nudism-FriendlyLocation: 80 km south west of Chania Town
Description: A small beach near Paleochora, Gialiskari has soft pebbles and clean water.
Glyka Nera beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non-OrganizedLocation: 73 km south east of Chania Town
Description: Glyka Nera is a narrow, secluded bay close to Sfakia, on the southern side of Chania. It is the ideal place for total isolation and the wild landscape amazes visitors.
Golden Beach
Diving Club, Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Small Harbor, WatersportsLocation: 1 km west of Chania Town
Description: This is the closest beach to Chania Town, in a walking distance from the city centre, therefore it gets very popular in summer.
Grammeno beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 75 km south west of Chania Town
Description: In close distance to Paleochora, Grammeno is a large beach with soft sand and clean water. Some parts are organized, while others are secluded.
Kalamaki beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 7 km west of Chania Town
Description: A golden sandy beach in close distance to Chania Town, Kalamaki is a popular and organized tourist resort.
Kalathas beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 15 km north east of Chania Town
Description: This is a lovely beach resort in the peninsula of Akrotiri, in a close distance from Chania Town.
Kalyves beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 20 south east of Chania Town
Description: This is a picturesque tourist resort close to Chania Town. Well-developed with many tourist facilities, Kalyves has a long, golden beach.
Kiani Akti beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 17 km south east of Chania Town
Description: This is a beautiful beach between the popular resorts of Kalami and Kalyves, on the south east of Chania Town.
Kissamos beach
Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family FriendlyLocation: 41 km west of Chania Town
Description: This long and sandy beach is located in a walking distance from the centre of Kissamos. It is surrounded by some fish taverns and small hotels.
Kolimbari beach
Partly-Organized, Family Friendly, PebbledLocation: 24 km west of Chania Town
Description: Kolimbari is a pebbled beach with crystal water. Tourism is not much developed there, so it provides a calm environment to its visitors.
Koutelos beach
Pebbled, Secluded, Non-OrganizedLocation: 75 km south of Chania Town
Description: Koutelos is a secluded beach in close distance to Frangokastello, southern Crete.
Krios beach
Partly-Organized, Pebbled, SecludedLocation: 70 km south west of Chania Town
Description: Krios is a seclude beach on the west of Paleochora, southern Crete. It is slightly organized and has a beach bar.
Marathi beach
Sandy, Family Friendly, Well-OrganizedLocation: 14 east of Chania Town
Description: This is a picturesque, organized beach with sandy coast and cystal water. An ideal spot for families with kids.
Nea Chora beach
Diving Club, Partly-Organized, Sandy, Family Friendly, Small Harbor, WatersportsLocation: 1 km west of Chania
Description: Nea Chora is the closest beach to Chania Town, just in a walking distance from the city centre. Due to its location, it gets very popular in summer.
Orthi Ammos beach
Sandy, SecludedLocation: 70 km south of Chania Town
Description: A small beach with narrow coast, Orthi Ammos is located close to Frangokastello, southern Chania.
Sfinari beach
Pebbled, SecludedLocation: 60 km south west of Chania Town
Description: Sfinari is a secluded beach on the western side of Crete. It is pebbled and some trees along the shore provide shade.
Sougia beach
Nudism-Friendly, Partly-Organized, Secluded, Non-Organized, PebbledLocation: 60.5 km southwest of Chania Town
Description: Sougia is a fantastic and popular pebble-filled beach in remote southern Chania, with beautiful waters, tourist amenities, free space for bathers, and a section used by naturists.
Stalos beach
Well-Organized, Watersports, Family Friendly, Non-Organized, SandyLocation: 7.5 km west of Chania Town
Description: A long seashore near the town of Chania, Stalos Beach provides a stretch of fine sand, clear waters, a family-friendly environment, and both organized and non-organized spots for bathers.
Stavros beach
Well-Organized, Facilities, Family Friendly, SandyLocation: 16 km northeast of Chania Town
Description: On the northern edge of the Akrotiri peninsula, Stavros is a beautiful beach with clean waters, beach sand, and sunbeds for rent, while it has hosted the historic dancing scene from Zorba The Greek..
Tavronitis beach
Pebbled, SecludedLocation: 20 km west of Chania Town
Description: Tavronitis is a calm beach between Chania Town and Kissamos, the two largest villages in this prefecture of Crete.
Tripiti beach
Sandy, SecludedLocation: 70 km south of Chania Town
Description: Tripiti is a secluded beach on the southern side of Crete, right at the end of Tripiti Gorge. The close villages are Sougia and Agia Roumeli.
Votsalo (Halikia) beach
Partly-Organized, Family Friendly, PebbledLocation: 70.5 km southwest of Chania Town
Description: Votsalo (or Halikia) is a small beach on the southern side of Chania, with large pebbles, clear blue waters, a stone-filled seabed, sunbed pairs, and sun umbrellas.
Platanias beach
Well-Organized, Windsurfing, Watersports, Non-Organized, SandyLocation: 11.5 km west of Chania Town
Description: The famous beach of Platanias is a long and sandy shore with clear waters, sun loungers, sun umbrellas, beach bars, and free space for bathers.
Paleohora Beach
Nudism-Friendly, Well-Organized, Windsurfing, Watersports, Family Friendly, SandyLocation: 71 km southwest of Chania Town
Description: Paleochora Beach is a long, sandy shore with clear waters, lots of sun loungers, nearby beach bar amenities, a lifeguard tower, and watersport amenities.
Almyrida beach
Windsurfing, Watersports, Family FriendlyLocation: 22 km east of Chania Town
Description: Almyrida Beach is a serene sandy beach in the village of the same name, east of Chania. It features two small bays that merge into one long beach that offers a relaxing time under the sun and plenty of opportunities for diving, surfing and family fun!
Agia Roumeli beach
Partly-Organized, PebbledLocation: 56 km south of Chania Town
Description: Agia Roumeli Beach probably boasts one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in Crete, as it combines stunning views of the White Mountains with the azure waters of the Libyan Sea. Located at the exit of the Samaria Gorge, it has retained a unique air of authenticity.
Kedrodasos beach
Secluded, Non-Organized, SandyLocation: 76 km southwest of Chania Town
Description: Kedrodasos is an untouched paradise in the southwest of Chania, right next to Elafonisi Beach. It is a sandy haven that is surrounded by lush green cedar trees, an image taken from a movie scene!
Kouloura beach
Non-OrganizedLocation: 3 km east of Chania Town
Description: Kouloura Beach is the favorite pool of Halepa’s residents! It is a small closed-off natural lagoon formed by a cluster of rocks in the shores of Halepa in Chania. It is unorganized, without an entrance, however it resembles an actual pool!
Macherida beach
Secluded, SandyLocation: 14 km northeast of Chania Town
Description: Macherida is a small secluded bay northeast of the main city. It is a sandy shore with crystal-clear pristine waters that got its name from the Greek word for knife.
Marmara beach
Well-Organized, PebbledLocation: 85 km south of Chania Town
Description: Marmara Beach is located on the exit of the Aradena Gorge, south of Chania. It is a small pebbly beach with charming caves next to it that are waiting to be explored!
Menies beach
Secluded, Non-Organized, SandyLocation: 45 km northwest of Chania Town
Description: Menies is a secluded bayis an unorganized paradise, with deep blue waters and sand and pebbles! Even though small in size, it holds a history dating back to ancient times!