6 Incredible Chania Beaches: Maldives of the Mediterranean

Chania beaches indeed deserve to be called the “Maldives of the Mediterranean”.

They are located in the Western part of the island of Crete, Greece, and are well-known for their white sand, stunning turquoise blue sea and the endless sun.

Enjoy these 6 incredible beaches that you can find around Chania – you wouldn’t have thought you had Maldives right here, in the Big Blue Med, would you? 🙂

1. Platanias Beach

The cosmopolitan Platanias Beach is long and sandy, and this picturesque tourist resort is 11 km/6.8 miles west of Chania town.

The beach offers plenty of activities and amusements to choose from, and it is also well catered to by beachfront bars and café-restaurants. This clean Blue Flag beach has a magnificent view over the Theodorou Islet that lies near the beach.

For water sports enthusiasts, the beach offers jet skiing, snorkeling and banana boats. The nightlife on this beach is very lively with parties going on late into the night. You can reach this beach located on the Chania-Kastelli road by bus or car.

2. Agia Marina Beach

Agia Marina is a popular resort 9 km/5.6 miles west of Chania, and is also a Blue Flag holder.

The well organized, long and sandy beach sports several tourist facilities including beach bars, small taverns and water sports. There are also organized camping sites all along the coastline.

The beach is well connected with Chania town by regular bus service.

3. Agioi Apostoloi Beach

This beach boasts a lovely environment to relax on its hot sand and enjoy its crystal clear water that rightfully earned it a Blue Flag as well.

It offers many amenities like sun beds, umbrellas and water sports. You can also find taverns serving traditional Cretan delicacies and a number of bars.

It is just 3 km/1.9 miles west of Chania and its proximity to the town has made it very popular. This beach with shallow waters is well protected from winds and thus it’s ideal for families with  children. It can be easily accessed by bus or car from Chania cruise port.

4. Elafonisi Beach

Elafonisi beach is the true Maldives-type beach at the far southwest of Crete, some 82 km/50.9 miles from Chania. It’s a Blue Flag holder as the other awesome becahes of this area.

Its pink-white sand, its shallow crystalline blue water, its blazing sun make it an extraordinary experience. It’s pretty undeveloped and it takes some effort to travel that far, but it’s definitely worth it.

There are just a couple of canteens available, with beds for hire. There is an islet further into the sea connected to the mainland by a reef which you can walk and wonder around the beach and roll around in the shallow, turquoise sea. A must-see!

5. Balos Beach (or Gramvoussa Beach)

Oh Balos… This is indeed a unique bay with an island surrounded by stunning blue water that makes you think you’re in the Caribbean somewhere.

Also known as Gramvoussa beach this breath-taking beach is some 60 km/37.2 miles north west of Chania. The beach is accessed by a track road from Kaliviani or by boat from Kissamos.

The white sand beach with soft seabed and crystal water looks like a lagoon when viewed from the hills that stand majestically above the beach. Opposite this beach, there is a rocky island with a Venetian castle, which provides wonderful views of the region and the sea.

Watch the video and be amazed! 🙂

6. Falassarna Beach

This is a lovely tourist resort 58 km/36 miles west of Chania in a fertile plane near Platanos village.

The extended sandy Falassarna beach is surrounded by olive groves and lush greenery. The beach is characterized by pure, soft golden sand, and incredibly clean and turquoise waters.

Umbrellas and sun beds are also available for hire. The beach offers wonderful views and magical sunsets. A few accommodations and taverns can be found in this area, especially the ones on the rocks right above the beach itself.

Chania beaches are some of the best in the whole of the Mediterranean.

Blessed by endless sun, white sand and beautiful sea, this area is the place to visit if you are looking for extraordinary beach experiences.

Put Chania high up in your “to visit asap” list! 🙂