Top 10 most breathtaking Chania beaches you need to visit

Just imagine huge sandy shores with emerald waters, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty… Chania beaches will make you feel as if you’re a world away from the mainland. Besides, it’s not a secret that Chania boasts some of the best beaches not only in Greece but also in the world!

No matter whether you are a first time visitor or you’ve visited Chania before, there are some beaches you REALLY need to know!

So, without further ado, let’s explore the top 10 most breathtaking Chania beaches you just can’t miss!

Ready for a dip in exotic waters?

1. Balos beach

Balos beach in Chania is the perfect combination of an exotic landscape and wild natural beauty. No wonder why it’s the most photographed beach in Crete! Mesmerizing emerald waters, fine white sand and rock formations create a scenery of unreal beauty! You’ll want to sit there for hours, taking in the scenery...

The waters in Balos are warm and shallow, while in some parts of the beach the sand is pink (!), due to the broken shells covering parts of it. Located near Kissamos, Balos beach can be reached either by car from Chania, either by boat from Kasteli or by a three-hour hike from Kaliviani.

2. Elafonisi beach

Elafonisi is another very famous Chania beach, which stands out for its exotic setting! Elafonisi is basically a sandy peninsula, with many beaches, both organized and unorganized. The eastern part of the beach is organized, thus more crowded, but there are also many quiet coves that reward the traveler with privacy and serenity.

The sand in Elafonisi beach is fine and white, the water is turquoise and shallow, while the landscape is exotic and unbelievably beautiful. What else could one possibly ask for?

Fact: What you might not know about Elafonisi is that it is a protected natural reserve, where many plants thrive and rare animal species find shelter.

3. Marathi beach

Marathi is a beautiful sandy coast just 17 km from Chania town, consisting of 2 beautiful beaches, always protected from the strong winds. These two beaches are separated by a small port, which makes the scenery even more picturesque! They are both sandy and organized, with a backdrop of traditional taverns, where you can sit and taste the yummiest local delicacies.

Tip: For the brave ones, in front of Marathi beach, there is the little islet called Marathi or Old Souda, where you can swim to. Once there, you’ll be rewarded with amazing natural scenery!

4. Sougia beach

Loved by the hippies in the ‘70s, Sougia beach is now a rather quiet beach, boasting a wild natural landscape, which never fails to capture the visitors. Sougia beach is located in the little fishing village Sougia, near Chania, exactly where the beautiful Agia Irini gorge ends! As you can probably imagine, the natural beauty of this place is incomparable!

Sougia is a shingle beach stretching for 1 km and it is particularly popular to nudists who prefer its eastern part. Other than that, Sougia is an organized beach with umbrellas, sun loungers, restaurants, and cafes. What’s more, close to the beach you’ll find many types of accommodation, bars, and a mini market. Perfect for those who want to be close to amenities!

5. Falassarna beach

Falassarna beach is not only one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, but has also been voted the best beach in Crete and one of the 10 best beaches in Europe! It is a huge bay which actually consists of 5 exotic beaches. Falassarna beach has pink sand, cyan-hued water, and an unreal landscape.

The main beach of Falassarna is named Pahia Ammos and stretches for 1 km. Thanks to its huge size, this beach almost never gets crowded, so it’s a top choice for those who seek freedom! In Pahia Ammos you can find facilities, such as umbrellas, a canteen, a beach volley court, and water sports facilities, for the water sport fanatics!

6. Chrissi Akti beach

Located just 2.5 km from Chania, Chrissi Akti (Golden Bay) is one of the most popular beaches in Crete, visited by millions of tourists who chose it for its golden sand and crystal clear, calm waters. Stretching for 500 m, Chrissi Akti beach is protected from the strong winds, thus it is a safe beach, especially for families with little kids.

Chrissi Akti is an organized beach with many facilities, such as umbrellas, sunbeds, dressing rooms, and even a playground! Thanks to its close distance to Chania, this beach can be easily reached by bus (20 minutes ride) or by foot!

7. Stavros beach

Located 17 km from Chania, Stavros beach is one of the most beautiful Chania beaches! Besides, it is where the legendary syrtaki scene from the famous “Zorba the Greek” movie was filmed. If you seek peace and tranquility, you’ll love Stavros beach!

The surprising fact about this beach is that it is actually a lagoon, which highlights its natural ambiance. Nestled in a bay and protected from the strong winds, Stavros beach is the definition of wild natural beauty. The imposing mountains that surround it and its serene atmosphere create a unique scenery. What's more, Stavros beach is an organized sandy beach with many facilities!

8. Pachia Ammos beach

Pachia Ammos is a huge (1km) beach south of Chania and west of the beautiful Palaiochora village. This beach has sugar-fine sand, shallow, safe for the kids waters and is perfect for swimming! Some parts of Pachia Ammos beach are organized with facilities, while others are unorganized and quiet. So, whatever your taste might be, you’ll find the right spot in Pachia Ammos beach!

9. Seitan Limania beach

Seitan Limania is one of the best-kept secrets of Chania! This beach is unlike anything you’ve seen before: strips of water enter the rocky land, creating beautiful coves with emerald waters. The scenery will absolutely steal your breath!

This beach boasts an amazing wild natural landscape. It is surrounded by steep cliffs, it has fine white sand and mesmerizing turquoise waters. If you are a seeker for interesting natural landscapes, this beach will blow your mind! Keep in mind that Seitan Limania is not organized, so you have to bring your own umbrella and beach essentials.

10. Platanias beach

Platanias beach is located at the beautiful Platanias village, 11 km from Chania. It is a huge sandy beach, along which you’ll find a collection of hotels and beach bars, popular to the younger generations. What’s more, Platanias beach is organized with sunbeds, umbrellas, water sports facilities and many more. The water in Platanias beach is warm from June till October, which is great for those who love swimming!

Tip: If it gets windy, you can enjoy a dip on the east side of the local harbor, close to Agia Marina beach.

In a nutshell, Chania has many stunning beaches for every taste! Whether you love beaches with breathtaking natural landscapes or cosmopolitan organized beaches, Chania has it all!

So, it’s up to you now!

Book your stay and your ferry tickets to Chania and enjoy all these, plus many more beaches!