Chania Beaches
Chania beaches: Featuring a one-of-a-kind variety of magnificent beaches, the region of Chania can amaze every beach lover
Chania beaches are possibly the most varied collection of beaches in the Mediterranean Sea! In every corner of the region of Chania, on the north, on the south, and on the west, you can find dozens of exceptional beaches.
Chania beaches are privileged to be at the greenest region of Crete, so it is usual to find plenty of trees by the coastline, offering ample shade to the visitors. From the north coast to the south coast, Chania beaches have something to suit even the most demanding traveller.
Chania beaches on the north coast
There are plenty of superb beaches on the north coast of Chania region. To the west of Chania city we find the magnificent beaches of Agioi Apostoloi, Agia Marina, Platanias, Maleme, Tavronitis and Kolymbari. Almost all of these Chania beaches are well organized and feature plenty of amenities for the visitors. Possibly the best beaches in this area are the beaches of Platanias and Agia Marina. In these beaches one can find everything he/she possibly needs, and swim all day long in their extra-long coastline, which, combining the beaches of both resorts, as they are located one next to the other, is more than 5 kilometres long in total. Platanias and Agia Marina are considered the best organized beaches in West Crete.
To the east of the city of Chania we find Akrotiri Peninsula, which features many splendid Chania beaches, including the known beaches of Marathi, Loutraki, Kalathas and Stavros. Of these beaches, the beaches of Marathi and Loutraki, which are very close to each other, have amazingly crystal-clear waters. Regarding the beaches in Akrotiri Peninsula, a thing that immediately comes to mind is the famous classic movie “Zorba the Greek”, which was filmed at the beach of Stavros.
Going further to the east, and always on the north coast of Chania region, we find the magnificent Apokoronas Peninsula. Apokoronas, although is generally mountainous, has some excellent, unaffected by the winds Chania beaches, like the ones at Kalives and Almyrida, two excellent places to enjoy the sea and the sun of Crete.
Going further east from Apokoronas, at the northeast edge of the region of Chania we find the resort of Georgioupoli, with its long-stretched sandy beach.
Going west from Chania city, and after the beach of Kolymbari, we find the two characteristic long peninsulas on northwest Crete, Rodopou and Gramvousa. There are plenty of superb Chania beaches in these two peninsulas, as well as in the west coast of Crete, including the well known beaches of Afrata, Menies, Ravdoucha, Kissamos, Balos, Falasarna and Sfinari. Of these, the two most known – and literally famous – beaches are Balos and Falasarna. Balos is a real tropical lagoon in the heart of the Mediterranean, and Falasarna is a beach with crystal-clear waters in a stunning natural environment.
Chania beaches on the south coast
Many of the beaches in the south of Chania region are truly sensational! In the west and central part of the south coast of Chania region, we find the beaches of Elafonisi, Paleochora, Lissos, Sougia, Agia Roumeli and Agios Pavlos. Among these, the Chania beaches in Elafonisi, Paleochora, Sougia and Agia Roumeli enjoy what can easily be described as rock star status among the beach lovers in all over the world. Elafonisi beach is a tropical lagoon with white and pink sand, in a preserved and protected unique natural environment of extreme beauty. Paleochora is the most known destination in Southwest Crete with no less than 10 splendid beaches around. Sougia is a small village with a great beach, ideal for total seclusion. And Agia Roumeli is a historic location where the river meets the sea amongst a stunning natural environment.
Finally, to the southeast of Chania region we find the great beaches of the known Sfakia region, which include the beaches of Phoenix, Loutro, Sweetwater beach, Ilingas, Hora Sfakion, Vritomartis and Frangokastelo. Although it is hard to select the best among these fabulous Chania beaches, the crystal-clear beach in Loutro village enjoys being in what has been described as one of the most beautiful coastal villages in the Mediterranean. And we shouldn’t forget the historic location of the Frangokastelo beach, with its 14th century Venetian castle.
Chania beaches come in many types and sizes, and they will not fail to amaze the visitors. Among the beaches of Crete, Chania beaches enjoy in their own right the title of the best collection of splendid beaches the island has to offer.