Chania (Chaniá) is the largest city of western Crete, a port of about 108,000 people with a Venetian harbour, an Ottoman-era Old Town and easy access to Samaria Gorge, Balos and Elafonisi.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Chania.
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- busy in summer, calm shallow lagoon popular with day-trippers
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Tavernas and snack bars
- Car park about 650 m from the sand
- Limited shade
Elafonisi Beach
Pink-tinged sand and a shallow lagoon facing a protected islet in the far south-west.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10:00 in July and August, when the paid car park fills
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- scenic and crowded with boat-tour visitors in peak season
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Beach kiosk
- Boat access from Kissamos
- Dirt road to upper car park
Balos Lagoon
A sandbar lagoon of shallow turquoise water at the north-west tip of Crete.
Editor’s tip. Take the boat from Kissamos port for the easiest access, about EUR 50-60 per adult
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- relaxed, open and known for sunsets
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Tavernas
- Parking
Falasarna Beach
A long west-facing sandy beach with wide shallows and sunsets.
Editor’s tip. Stay for sunset, when the west-facing beach is at its best
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- small, scenic and crowded by mid-morning in summer
- No facilities
- No shade
- Car park at the top
Seitan Limania
A narrow turquoise fjord-like cove at the foot of steep cliffs.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 9:00 in July and August, when the car park fills
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- family-friendly, calm and shallow
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Tavernas
- Water sports
Stavros Beach
A sheltered bay where the beach scenes of Zorba the Greek were filmed.
Editor’s tip. Visit in the morning for calmer conditions and easier parking
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- family-friendly, organised and sheltered
- Sunbeds and parasols
- Showers
- Lifeguard
- Accessible facilities
- Nearby tavernas
Marathi Beach
A Blue Flag sandy beach on the Akrotiri peninsula with shallow, sheltered water.
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the morning on summer weekends for a sunbed
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- local and quiet
- Sunbeds and umbrellas
- Tavernas nearby
Agioi Apostoloi Beach
A small sandy beach just west of Chania, quieter than the city beaches.
Editor’s tip. Take a taxi or car, about 4 km west of Chania centre
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- urban city beach with local crowds
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Tavernas and cafes
Nea Chora Beach
The city beach of Chania, a 10 to 15 minute walk from the old town.
Editor’s tip. Walk from the old harbour in 10 to 15 minutes
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- popular and relaxed
- Sunbeds and umbrellas (paid)
- Tavernas
Kalathas Beach
A golden sand beach with shallow water on the Akrotiri peninsula.
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the morning in peak season for a sunbed
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- quiet southern village, walkers' base
- Tavernas
- Guesthouses
- Ferry pier
Sougia Beach
A pebble beach in a quiet southern village at the end of the Agia Irini Gorge.
Editor’s tip. Check KTEL bus days before travelling, as one listing shows Monday and Friday only
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- calm, family-friendly, historic setting
- Tavernas
- Sunbeds and umbrellas
- Fortress to visit
Frangokastello Beach
A shallow sandy beach beside a Venetian fortress on the south coast.
Editor’s tip. Visit the fortress alongside the swim
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Chania memorable.
Swimming
Snorkelling
Boat trips
Sea kayaking
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming runs from June to late September; May and October are good on calm days.
On-beach facilities
Organised beaches offer sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and tavernas; coves such as Seitan Limania have none.
Water Quality
Marathi is Blue Flag listed; check blueflag.gr for 2026.
Transport
KTEL buses serve Elafonisi and Falasarna seasonally; taxis and rental cars cover the rest.
Safety
Wind and swell can rise in July and August; swimmers should stay near lifeguards.
Money
A sunbed and umbrella set usually costs EUR 5-12 (approx $6-14) per day.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Chania’s coast.
How far is Elafonisi from Chania?
Elafonisi is about 75 km south-west of Chania, roughly 90 minutes by car. A seasonal KTEL bus takes about 2 hours.
From the Elafonisi Beach editorial.
Is the sand really pink?
The sand carries pink coral fragments that tint the waterline, most visible where the waves wash the shore.
From the Elafonisi Beach editorial.
How does a visitor reach Balos?
Visitors take a boat cruise from Kissamos port or drive a dirt road to a car park above the beach and walk down steeply.
From the Balos Lagoon editorial.
Does the boat trip include Gramvousa?
Boat tours usually include a stop at Gramvousa fortress before or after the Balos lagoon.
From the Balos Lagoon editorial.
How far is Falasarna from Chania?
Falasarna is about 59 km west of Chania and 17 km from Kissamos.
From the Falasarna Beach editorial.
Is Falasarna good for sunset?
Yes, the beach faces west and is known for its sunsets.
From the Falasarna Beach editorial.
How hard is the walk to Seitan Limania?
The path is steep and loose and takes 10 to 20 minutes. Sturdy shoes are advisable.
From the Seitan Limania editorial.
Are there facilities?
No. There is no shade and there are no facilities, only a car park at the top.
From the Seitan Limania editorial.