If there’s one thing Chania is famous for, it’s its incredible beaches and having spent my summers here since I was a child, I’ve been lucky enough to visit so many of them over the years.
From the world-famous lagoons of Balos and Elafonissi to huge sandy beaches, hidden coves and some of my personal favorites, Chania has an incredible variety of places to swim.
But there’s one thing you need to know: distances in Chania can be long! If you really want to explore its beaches, I highly recommend renting a car and allowing yourself several days. Around one week is a great amount of time to combine different beaches with Chania Town and other parts of the region. Click this link to book a car from DiscoverCars that I trust and use.
And remember, Chania is so much more than its beaches!
Looking for what else to do? Check out my guide to the 10+1 Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Chania, where you’ll find everything from the Old Town and Samaria Gorge to traditional villages, Cretan food, nightlife and some of my favorite local experiences.
Now let’s get to the reason you’re here – these are some beaches you shouldn’t miss in Chania:
1.ELAFONISI
A magical place with absolutely incredible waters!
Unfortunately, it gets extremely crowded in July and August. If you have your own umbrella, you can usually find a spot to relax, but if you want sunbeds during peak season, I recommend arriving by 10 AM at the latest. I’ve also visited during the off-season, around Easter, and it was absolutely wonderful – such a different experience compared to August! The beach is famous for its white and pink sand and shallow, crystal-clear waters.
My tip: Don’t stay only on the main beach! Walk through the shallow water to the small island just opposite. On the other side, you’ll find another beautiful stretch of beach that many visitors don’t know about, so it’s usually much less crowded.
- Distance from Chania: 1h and 20 minutes, and curvy road for a big part of the drive.
The hidden gem on the back side of the “Elafonisi beach” that you need to walk through the sea since it is not visible from the main organized one
Angel’s tip: If you want a less crowded option close by , visit “White lake beach” , 15 minutes away from Elafonisi and close to Chrysoskalitissa monastery . Shallow waters, small beach and no facilities unless a few sunbeds.
2.KEDRODASOS
Next to Elafonissi, a less touristic beach – not organized, untouched and unexplored. Absolutely amazing waters – rocky spot with cedar trees everywhere. 10 minutes walk after you park.
Angel’s tip: Once I visited Elafonissi that was windy and crowded. I left since wind was tiring and didn’t have an umbrella & went to Kedrodasos. OMG! Amazing difference, few people and the absolute calmness. My friends after 8 days in Chania told me this was their favorite one!
- Distance from Chania: 1h and 25 minutes.
- Distance from Elafonisi beach: 10 minutes.
3.FALASARNA
One of my absolute favorite beaches in Chania! Falasarna is completely different from Balos and Elafonissi, with a huge stretch of golden sand, incredibly clear water and plenty of space.
Falassarna actually consists of several beaches, with Pachia Ammos being the largest and most famous. One of the things I love most about this area is that, even during the busy summer months, it rarely feels like there’s no room for you. The coastline is so long that you have plenty of options depending on what you prefer – from organized sections with sunbeds (cost around 30 euros per set) and beach bars to quieter spots where you can simply bring your own umbrella and relax.
It’s also one of my favorite places in Chania for sunset, as it faces west and you can watch the sun disappear directly into the sea.
Angel’s Tip: Come in the afternoon, spend a few hours swimming and stay for sunset. Just make sure to check the wind before you go – Falassarna can get very windy!
- Distance from Chania: 55 minutes.
4.BALOS
If you’ve ever seen a postcard from Crete, there’s a good chance Balos was on it!
Not even pictures can illustrate the exotic magic of this place. Sandy, shallow and with a wonderful view from above. But crowded, too crowded – go early like 9-10 am during summer season! Organized but canteen is expensive.
- Distance from Chania: 1 hour and 30 minutes drive. Get to the parking area, ideally with an SUV, since there is a veryyy difficult 8km dirt road and be prepared to walk 30-45 minutes with suitable shoes, if you manage to find a parking slot. If not, you can park further away and you walk more… The way back is tough as well. Angel’s tip: be careful since some car rental companies don’t allow visiting this beach.
- The easiest way but you don’t enjoy the view from the top: drive till Kissamos and take a boat from Kissamos/Kastelli port (20-26 euros per person) with a stop to Gramvousa island, or not if you want to get directly there. Another port you can take the boat from, is Falassarna beach: I used “Falassarna cruise” and I paid 40 euros round trip with 2,5 hrs stop in Balos and 1 hour stop in Gramvousa island.
Balos beach
Angel’s tip: Check the weather before you visit & leave it for another day if there is Western strong wind. You can check the weather here.
5.GLYKA NERA
Not “popular” one, Glyka Nera is an unorganized beach with trees that you can visit only by boat from Sfakia. During summer season there is a restaurant as well, literally inside the sea. Crystal clear waters, clean and absolutely stunning.
Angel’s tip: You can start early, make a stop in this beautiful beach and after a few hours take the boat again to visit the village next to it (15 minutes) called Loutro. A breathtaking fishing village (of course your can swim as well there) that you can enjoy delicious dishes. No need to book your tickets in advance.
The waters in Glyka Nera are fabulous.
- Distance from Chania: 1h and 20 minutes till Sfakia and 15 minutes by boat.
Ilingas on the other hand is close to Sfakia as well but accessible by car and ideal if you search a less crowded place. Semi organized(during high season) picturesque pebbly beach with magical waters and few umbrellas/sunbeds. There are also some caves which can provide natural shade and will be cool to explore & take pictures! Angel’s tip: there is a small “secret” side beach next to the main one but you need to swim to get there….so quiet and beautiful with the crystal clear waters and the small caves to get lost in and discover..a true peace of mind!
- Distance from Chania: 1h and 20 minutes till Sfakia and 25 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car.
6.LOUTRO & MARMARA BEACH
Loutro is one of the most beautiful and unique places in southern Chania – a tiny whitewashed seaside village surrounded by mountains and the crystal-clear waters of the Libyan Sea.
What makes it even more special is that there are no roads leading to Loutro. You can reach it by boat from Chora Sfakion (Sfakia) or on foot along the coastal trail, which gives the village its wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.
You can visit Loutro as a day trip, wander around the little harbor, swim in the turquoise waters and have lunch at one of the seaside tavernas. If you have more time, staying overnight is even better, as the village becomes much quieter once the day-trippers leave.
Nearby, you’ll also find Marmara Beach, a beautiful small beach known for its white marble rocks, crystal-clear water and sea caves. You can reach it by boat from Loutro or on foot along the coastal path.
Angel’s tip: Combine Glyka Nera + Loutro for an amazing day trip from Chora Sfakion. If you have an extra night, stay in Loutro and explore Marmara Beach the following day. 
6.SEITAN LIMANIA
Nobody can deny that the view from the top is breathtaking. This blue/turquoise colour of the sea is AMAZING.
Seitan Limani
Despite the fact that i love this beach, it is for sure too small and it is really easy to get crowded. Be careful driving there reaching the beach, go early to have a good spot, have convenient shoes since you need 20-30 minutes to go down through rocks (not easy for older people or young children) and enjoy the gorgeous scenery! You can see many wild goats as well searching for snacks…
- Distance from Chania town: 40 minutes.
Angel’s tip: Check the weather before you go, east wind is not ideal.
7.FRAGKOKASTELO
One of the best beaches on the south coast of Crete, organized, sandy and long. It is well known for the local old fortress built by the Venetians in 1371-1374 on the beach and the legendary spirits of Drosoulites. The legend has it, that after a battle there in 1828, the spirits of fallen soldiers appearing near the the castle every May. haha! In case you search a beach, even less touristic and not organized with great waters as well visit the beach right next to it, Orthi Ammos!
- Distance from Chania: 1h and 30 minutes.
8.MARATHI
If you want something beautiful without driving for hours, Marathi is an excellent option.
Located on the Akrotiri Peninsula, it has calm, clear and relatively shallow water, several tavernas nearby and a much more relaxed feel than some of Chania’s famous beaches. It’s also a great choice for families.
Angel’s tip: Marathi is one of my picks when you want an easy beach day close to Chania and the airport without sacrificing beautiful water.
- Distance from Chania: 25 minutes.
9. LOUTRAKI
Another beautiful option on the Akrotiri Peninsula and very close to Marathi. Loutraki is a small sheltered bay with gorgeous clear water and an organized beach area. Its protected location often means calmer water, making it perfect for a relaxed swimming day. Onar Seaside Lounge is one of my favorite spots here, with sunbeds right by the crystal-clear water, food and drinks throughout the day and a beautiful, more elegant seaside atmosphere.
Angel’s tip: You can easily combine Marathi + Loutraki in the same day. Both close to Chania and the airport, so you can combine both after/before your flight! Waters are crystal clear, beach is sandy and usually both are crowded, with parking spots getting full during summer peak season. Organized and wonderful!
- Distance from Chania: 25 minutes.
10.STAVROS
Stavros Beach is a beautiful, family-friendly beach on the Akrotiri Peninsula, around 17 km from Chania.
Its calm, shallow turquoise waters and dramatic mountain backdrop make it really unique. It’s also famous as one of the filming locations of the classic movie Zorba the Greek!
A great choice if you’re looking for an easy, relaxing beach day close to Chania
11.AGIA MARINA
I know many people may disagree with me, but if you’re looking for an easy, beautiful beach close to Chania Town, Agia Marina is a great option — and I personally love it! Of course, you can’t compare it to the spectacular scenery of Elafonissi or Balos, but not every beach day needs to involve hours of driving. Sometimes you just want to relax, swim and have everything you need right next to you.
Agia Marina has a long sandy beach with shallow, usually warm waters, with plenty of organized sections offering sunbeds, umbrellas and showers. You’ll also find unorganized areas if you prefer to bring your own umbrella.
One of the reasons I enjoy Agia Marina is the huge choice of beach bars like Ammos kai Ilios, Cabana Mare, Red Havana… You can easily spend the whole day here with sunbeds, food, cocktails, beers, music and even shisha. Some beach bars also have DJs and a livelier atmosphere during summer.
Nearby alternatives: Platanias, Maleme, Agioi Apostoloi and Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach) offer similarly easy-to-reach beach options. If you prefer something less touristy, less crowded and pebbly with deeper water, head further west towards Maleme or Tavronitis.
- Distance from Chania: 15 minutes.
Angel’s tip: Save Agia Marina for one of those days when you simply want an easy beach day without a long drive – especially after a full day exploring Balos, Elafonissi or the south coast!
Angel’s tip: My favorite beach bars in Agia Marina are Cabana Mare and Ammos & Ilios. My favorite beach bar in Platanias is Neromylos beach bar with an impressive swimming pool and organized beach. Almost all of them have a cost for sunbeds and minimum consumption (25 euros per person)
Neromylos pool & beach bar
12.PALAIOCHORA & ITS BEACHES
Located on the south coast of Chania, Palaiochora is a lovely seaside town surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Spend some time exploring the town and combine it with a beach-hopping day – Pachia Ammos is the easiest sandy option right in town, while Grammeno, Krios and the stunning Gialiskari beaches are all worth discovering nearby.
The south coast has a completely different, more laid-back feel from northern Chania – definitely worth the drive if you have enough days.
Angel’s tip: Palaiochora deserves more than just a quick swim. Stay for dinner – or even spend a night here – and enjoy the slower atmosphere of southern Crete. But in my opinion only if you have enough days!.
Which beaches should you choose?
- If you only have a few days, I would prioritize Balos, Elafonissi (combine it with Kedrodassos!) and Falassarna for the iconic Chania experience.
- For something wilder, choose Loutro, Glyka Nera or Menies.
- For an easier beach day closer to Chania Town, go for Marathi, Loutraki or Stavros.
- And if you want beach bars, music and a more lively atmosphere or just a relaxing day, head towards Agia Marina.
Angel’s tip: Chania is huge and many of these beaches are far apart. Don’t try to squeeze them all into two or three days! Rent a car, divide the region into different areas and combine beaches that are close to each other.
Chania is full of incredible beaches with some of the most beautiful waters in Greece, and this list is only the beginning! If you have enough time, there are so many more worth discovering – Sougia, Kalathas, Kalyves, Almyrida, Georgioupoli, Afrata, Ravdoucha, Grammeno, Orthi Ammos, Krios, Agioi Apostoloi, Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach), Maleme, Tavronitis and many more. And if you have a few extra days, you can even venture further south to Gavdos for a completely different, wild island experience.
The truth is, you need many days to really explore Chania – and even after all these years, I still find new places to love.
But no matter how many days you have, every day spent here feels like a little piece of paradise!!
And remember – Chania is so much more than beaches! Check out my other guide, “10+1 Things You Shouldn’t Miss in Chania, Crete”, for my favorite things to see, eat and experience around the region. CLICK HERE.
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IG: explorewith.angel
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