The beaches of Chania are some of the best in Crete, known for their sandy beaches and turquoise waters.

The absolute must on your vacation in Chania is this world-famous, double-sided beach, or to be more precise, lagoon. It is located at the northwestern end of Chania and has been designated as a Natura 2000 area for endangered species. On your way to the beach of Balos, you might be wondering how this place you've heard so much about is actually up close, but once you get to the point where the whole scene can be seen (yes, it's perfect for Instagram), you will immediately understand...

Elafonisi

A beach similar to Balo (is also a lagoon). Elefonisi which is well known for its shallow, turquoise waters and the worldwide famous pink sand, and equally ideal for young children will make you realize why it is called Cretan paradise! It is located at the southwestern end of Chania and is a popular destination for families, but also for surfers and kite surfers. Another similarity with Balo is that it is a natural refuge for endangered species.

Kedrodasos

Another destination that you should not miss if you are on vacation in Chania! Just below Elafonissi, the paradisiacal beach of Kedrodasos (named after a nearby cedar forest) is a secluded stretch of white sand coast. It is bathed by deep blue waters and in one part of it you will find trees that provide natural shade. And this beach of Chania is great for relaxing and resting or for snorkeling, and when the wind blows strong it becomes a popular spot for wind- and kite-surfing. As one of the most impressive beaches of Chania, it is very crowded, so it is advisable to go to Kedrodasos early in the morning. Oh, and make sure you have the necessary things with you, since the beach is not organized.

Seitan Port beach

Another ideal spot for swimming (this time on the north coast, east of the city of Chania) is Seitan Port beach. Ideally we recommend you to choose to go either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when there will not be many people. The name of the beach means "Devil's Harbor" because of the strong currents of the past, while to reach this amazing beach of Chania you will need to go down a path for 20 minutes and for your own safety it is wise to wear trainers because the path is quite rough and needs lots of caution. But, although the difficulty of the path the view, the extraordinary scenery and the crystal clear water that this amazing beach has to offer will bewitch you! 

Passing to the west coast of Crete, you will find Falasarna - the all-inclusive of the beaches in Chania - with a large selection of water sports (jet-ski, SUP, windsurfing, paragliding), ideal for all ages. Essentially this beach of Chania is a composition of a large and some smaller sandy beaches. What will you find - apart from an impressive landscape - in Falasarna? Big waves when it's windy and some of the clearest water you've ever seen! However, we recommend that you stay until late, to enjoy cocktails at sunset, creating a memory from your vacation in Chania that will surely be unforgettable!

It is not just another amazing beach in Chania, but a complete travel experience! To the south of the city of Chania, the small fishing village of Loutro exceeds all expectations... It takes about 10 minutes by boat to reach from Chora Sfakion (other options include Sougia, Gavdos, Paleochora and Agia Roumeli), but the route is magical and the destination so picturesque, like a postcard! There are many beaches here, most of which you can visit (Glyka Nera, Marmara and Perivolakia that are highly recommended). If you're more of an exploration type, then there are two more fantastic things here for you: snorkeling and a visit to the nearby Venetian ruins!

A must see place while on holiday in Chania... Frangokastelo is located east of Loutro and is one of the most characteristic beaches of Chania, with a 14th century fortress (from which it takes its name), visible from the beach. The beach has sand and shallow, clear water (so it's also ideal for families). With the fortress in the background, the picture looks like a postcard landscape, while Fragokastelo is a beach that invites you to walk and explore. What will you find around here? Excellent seafood taverns!

On the south coast of Chania you will find Paleochora: a picturesque little seaside town that has many beaches to explore. The main beach here is called Pachia Ammos and it is a long sandy beach with a Blue Flag, with infrastructure and amenities, but also with shallow waters. About 5 kilometers west, you will find another sandy beach called Grammenos. And here you will be impressed by the blue, crystal clear waters, as well as by the organized beach infrastructure. Even further, there is the wild, secluded and pebbly beach of Karavopetra. Meanwhile, the pebbly beach of Psilos Volakas is tucked away in a small, rocky cove and has shallow clear blue waters, while Krios beach (organized) is ideal if you're looking for peace and quiet. To the east of Paleochora, Gialiskari (or Gianniskari) beach is a mixture of fine pebbles and crushed shells. Finally, at a distance of 3 kilometers from Gialiskari (you can go on foot) is Astropelekita beach – isolated, relatively unknown to many people and wild, with underwater caves and even more tranquility.

Completing the acquaintance with the best beaches of Chania, we have two more options to recommend you near the city of Chania and near Seitan Port. The first is the Marathi beach, which is not only beautiful but also easily accessible. Here you will do water sports, such as kayaking and SUP, and you will enjoy the view of the islet of Paleosunda (you can if you want to get there by swimming). Marathi with its fine sand is divided in two by a pier and has calm, shallow waters that make this Chania beach ideal for children. If you are still hungry after swimming, there are seaside taverns with great seafood from its little port. The second option is the nearby Loutraki beach: hidden in a large, sandy cove, it has such calm and clear waters that you'll want to take a dip as soon as you arrive.

Closing this guide with the best beaches in Chania, let us introduce you to Stavros beach (it is one of the beaches of the settlement of the same name) or otherwise Golden Coast which is located next to a small port called Galini. Guess what...! It is also ideal for families, as its position in a lagoon protects it from the winds, the waters are shallow and green-blue, and there are taverns nearby for after swimming. Another thing that makes the Golden Coast so unique is the view of Mount Vardies, right behind the beach, which most of the day provides the beach with the needed shade.