Summary
Chania has more than 100 beaches, and choosing the right one makes a real difference to your day. The best beaches in Chania range from the shallow pink lagoons of Elafonisi and the wild cliffs of Seitan Limania to family-friendly spots five minutes from the old town. This guide covers the seven top options, with honest notes on crowds, facilities, water conditions and how to get there.
The best beaches in Chania at a glance
| # | Beach | Distance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balos Beach | 56 km west of Chania | Scenic beauty, lagoon swimming |
| 2 | Elafonisi Beach | 75 km southwest of Chania | Pink sand, families, wading |
| 3 | Falasarna Beach | 60 km west of Chania | Sunsets, wide sand, surf |
| 4 | Seitan Limania | 22 km northeast of Chania | Drama, photographers, fit hikers |
| 5 | Agioi Apostoli | 4 km west of old town | Families, walking from town |
| 6 | Agia Marina | 11 km west of Chania | Long sandy beach, watersports |
| 7 | Preveli Beach (Palm Beach) | 105 km southeast of Chania | Adventure swim, palm river |
1. Balos Beach
- Location
- Gramvousa Peninsula
- Distance
- 56 km west of Chania
- Water
- Shallow, calm lagoon
- Facilities
- Semi-organised
Known for its surreal lagoon with shallow turquoise waters, Balos offers postcard-perfect scenery with semi-wild infrastructure. Its blend of fine sand and turquoise water nestled between cliffs and the Gramvousa peninsula makes it the most photographed beach in western Crete.
Infrastructure
Semi-organised — a few sunbeds and umbrellas in season, basic canteen; otherwise very wild. There are no developed restaurants.
Sand & swimming
Fine white-and-pink-tinted sand with a shallow lagoon-style bay. Typically calm, warm and very swimmable, with some rocky patches toward the outer sea.
Local secret
Walk toward the Gramvousa side for quieter corners and excellent late-afternoon light. Many visitors miss the higher viewpoints above the lagoon — perfect for the iconic shot, and well worth the 10-minute climb.
How to get there
- Drive 45–50 minutes from Chania to Kissamos port and take a day-cruise boat to Balos and Gramvousa (easiest, most popular).
- Or drive via Kaliviani village onto the dirt road and then hike 20–40 minutes down from the clifftop parking. The track is rough — not ideal for small rental cars.
2. Elafonisi Beach
- Location
- Southwest coast
- Distance
- 75 km southwest of Chania
- Water
- Very shallow, warm
- Facilities
- Organised — sunbeds, canteen
Famous for its pink-tinged sand and shallow turquoise lagoon, Elafonisi feels like a tropical island grafted onto Crete. The water is so shallow you can wade across to the protected nature reserve on the islet itself.
Infrastructure
Sunbeds and umbrellas, two canteens, lifeguard in peak season. Toilets and a bus terminus. The whole area is a Natura 2000 protected zone — stay on marked paths and don't take any sand home (it's illegal).
Sand & swimming
Soft sand with patches of pink (crushed coral). Lagoon is ankle-to-waist deep for a long way out — heaven for small kids. Open sea on the far side has waves.
Local secret
The drive in is winding and slow — leave Chania by 8am, arrive before 10am, and you'll have the lagoon almost to yourself before tour buses arrive at 11.
How to get there
- Drive 1h 45m from Chania via Kandanos and Chrysoskalitissa monastery (scenic mountain road).
- Daily KTEL bus from Chania bus station in summer (€10 each way, 2h 15m).
- Organised day-trip with hotel pickup, guide and free beach time (most popular).
3. Falasarna Beach
- Location
- Far west coast
- Distance
- 60 km west of Chania
- Water
- Open sea, can be choppy
- Facilities
- Organised
A 3 km arc of golden sand on Crete's wild west coast, Falassarna faces straight into the sunset. The beach is broken into three sections (Big Beach, Pachia Ammos and Livadi), connected by a rough track and offering everything from organised sun beds to nearly empty stretches.
Infrastructure
Sunbeds and umbrellas in the central section, two beach restaurants (good for fish), parking lots at all three entrances.
Sand & swimming
Very fine pale sand. Open Atlantic-style sea — swimming is excellent on calm days, but afternoon meltemi winds bring waves and bigger swells suitable for body-surfing.
Local secret
Drive 200m past the main entrance to reach quieter Pachia Ammos with no facilities and dramatic rock formations. Stay for sunset — the western horizon is unobstructed.
How to get there
- Drive 1h 15m from Chania via Kissamos. Final stretch is paved.
- Limited bus service from Chania (twice daily in summer).
- Combine with a Balos boat trip from Kissamos port to make a full west-coast day.
4. Seitan Limania
- Location
- Akrotiri peninsula
- Distance
- 22 km northeast of Chania
- Water
- Deep, cold, clear
- Facilities
- None
A narrow, deep blue inlet between sheer white cliffs that looks like a Norwegian fjord transplanted to Crete. The descent is steep (about 15 minutes down, 25 minutes back up) but the postcard-perfect view from above is worth a stop even if you don't go down.
Infrastructure
Nothing at the beach itself — no toilets, no shade, no canteen. Bring water, sunscreen and food.
Sand & swimming
Pebbly beach with crystal-clear, deep water — you're swimming in a sheltered crack between cliffs. Beautiful for snorkelling but no shallow area for small kids.
Local secret
Arrive before 10am or after 5pm to avoid the worst crowding (the small beach fills up entirely in midday peak season). Wear proper shoes for the descent — flip-flops don't cut it.
How to get there
- Drive 30 minutes from Chania via the airport road past the Cretan Aquarium — well signed.
- Park in the cliff-top lot, then walk down the marked path. No bus access.
5. Agioi Apostoli
- Location
- West Chania suburbs
- Distance
- 4 km west of old town
- Water
- Shallow, calm coves
- Facilities
- Fully organised
A series of three sheltered sandy coves separated by rocky outcrops, just 4 km from the old town. The shallow, calm water and easy facilities make this the default family beach for visitors based in Chania.
Infrastructure
Sunbeds, umbrellas, lifeguard, several beach restaurants and an ice-cream bar. A pine-tree park behind the beach offers shade and picnic spots.
Sand & swimming
Fine sand in three protected coves. The middle cove is the calmest and shallowest — ideal for toddlers.
Local secret
Walk to the small chapel on the rocks between the second and third cove for a sunset view back over the city.
How to get there
- Walk from the old town in 25 minutes along the coastal path past Nea Chora.
- Local bus 21 from the central station (every 20 minutes in summer).
- A short 5-minute drive with a free public parking lot.
6. Agia Marina
- Location
- West Chania coast
- Distance
- 11 km west of Chania
- Water
- Shallow, calm
- Facilities
- Fully developed
A long stretch of sand running for almost 2 km along the resort village of Agia Marina, with full hotel infrastructure and watersports. Less wild than Balos or Falassarna but the easiest organised beach day for families based in town.
Infrastructure
Sunbeds the entire length, watersports schools (jet-ski, banana, paragliding), 20+ tavernas and beach bars, fully accessible.
Sand & swimming
Soft sand, gradual entry, calm water — exactly what holiday-brochure beaches look like.
Local secret
Look out for the small island of Theodorou directly off the beach — protected nature reserve, accessible only on guided trips. Stunning at sunset.
How to get there
- Bus 21 from Chania central station every 30 minutes.
- 15-minute drive on the old national road — paid parking right at the beach.
7. Preveli Beach (Palm Beach)
- Location
- South coast (Rethymno region)
- Distance
- 105 km southeast of Chania
- Water
- Open sea, river pools
- Facilities
- Limited
Where the Megalopotamos river meets the Libyan Sea under a grove of native Theophrastus palm trees. The most exotic-feeling beach in Crete and well worth the long drive — combine with a south-coast escape from Chania for a weekend.
Infrastructure
A small canteen at the beach, nothing else. The river upstream offers natural pools for cooling off after the steep climb back.
Sand & swimming
Coarse sand and pebbles where the river meets the sea. Open Libyan Sea swimming with refreshing cool currents from the river mouth.
Local secret
Don't skip the river — walk 200m upstream from the beach and you'll find chains of natural pools shaded by palms, almost always empty in the morning.
How to get there
- Drive 2h from Chania via Rethymno and the south-coast road through Plakias.
- Park at the cliff-top lot near Preveli monastery, then walk down the steep concrete steps (20 min). The climb back is exhausting in the heat — start early.
Frequently Asked Questions
For pure scenic wow, Balos and Elafonisi share the top spot. For an easy walk-from-town swim, Agioi Apostoloi. For a long organised resort beach, Agia Marina. For drama, Seitan Limania. There's no single answer — most visitors mix two or three.
Balos has the more dramatic landscape (lagoon framed by cliffs) but harder access. Elafonisi is easier to reach and has the famous pink sand. Both are worth seeing if you have time; Balos by boat from Kissamos is the simplest combination day.
Realistically, no — they're on opposite west-coast peninsulas, each a full day from Chania including transit and beach time.
Most are, especially the shallow lagoons of Elafonisi and Balos and the city beaches at Agioi Apostoloi and Agia Marina. Skip Seitan Limania with toddlers — the descent is too steep and there's no shallow area.
Arrive before 10am or after 4pm in July–August. Midday is the busiest and hottest — and the meltemi wind often picks up after lunch on west-coast beaches.
