5 Best Beaches in Chania, Crete (Includes Balos Beach)

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1. Balos Beach and Gramvousa Beach

If you like your beaches picture postcard-perfect then Balos Beach in Chania is for you.  This place is ridiculously beautiful. 

Crystal clear waters lap at your feet, or rather, come right up to your middle, as I discovered whilst striding out across the lagoon with bags and all.  As the water soaked through my rucksack I realised the error of my ways.  But when the water is this delightful who really cares. 

The water here has two main areas, joined by a spine of sand running down the middle.  There are plenty of sunbeds on the centre strip but if you prefer your beaches more au natural then head over to the far side where you’ll find plenty of fine white sand to snooze on. 

And goats. Not what I was expecting at the beach but they are a sight to see, with their little bells tinkling as they run along the scrub.

You’ll spend most of your time at Balos Beach grinning from ear to ear at the fact that you made it to such a stunning location.

You can also spend your time at Balos taking a pretty steep walk up a pathway on the rocks to get a bird’s eye view of the beach. Don’t forget to take plenty of photos and use my article on Greece Instagram captions for inspiration. 

Follow the signs at the back of the beach and the stream of people doing the same.  Partway up there are offers of horse rides to take you to the top. I wanted to feel like I’d earnt the fabulous view, so opted to walk the whole way.

How to get to Balos Beach from Chania Town

To get to Balos Beach from Chania Town, take a public bus from the Chania town bus station to the harbour at Kissamos. Bus tickets can be bought in advance at the bus station. 

For the boat trip, you can get tickets in advance online, at one of the tour agencies in Chania, or buy them at the harbour. 

It was chaotic when I arrived at the harbour on my trip, so buying in advance is advised.   As well as sailing to Balos, the boat tour includes a visit to spectacular Gramvousa beach. 

The return public bus stops just outside the café in the car park at Kissamos, to take you back to Chania.

If you don’t want the hassle of waiting around for a public bus and the busy boat harbour, book a day tour which includes hotel pick-up, the journey to Kissamos harbour and the boat trip all in one.

Gramvousa Beach

You don’t get very long at the stop at Gramvousa, so choose whether to stay on the beach, climb up to the Venetian castle or snorkel around the shipwreck visible from the beach. 

Pro Tip: If you go for the beach, most people stop at the first one you come to, but keep walking past the shipwreck and around the corner you’ll find a much quieter beach.  Just be sure to leave yourself enough time to get back to your ship. 

2. Elafonisi Beach, the best beach in Chania

Along with Balos Beach, Elafonisi beach is the second of the two big hitter beaches in Chania. 

This is my favourite of all the gorgeous beaches in Chania. It’s known as the pink beach on account of the pink sand but don’t go expecting it to be a vibrant shade of cerise.

Instead, it’s more a gentle hue of coral that washes in and out with the lapping of the waves.  It’s all the more exciting to look closely at the sand and realise that there really is a pink tint to it.

If pretty pastel-coloured sand wasn’t enough to earn this Crete beach its status as one of the top beaches in Europe, then the powdery soft white sand squishing between your toes and the shallow turquoise waters should do the trick. 

It’s a stunning place to visit, with plenty of space to find your own spot on the sand. 

Sunbeds are laid out along the bay on one side, with beach kiosks and surf lessons to get stuck into. 

However, there is also an informal beach, without all the paraphernalia that comes with an organized beach. 

If that sounds like bliss to you, head between the dunes in the direction of the lighthouse for the ultimate Elafonisi experience.

Whilst you’re at Elafonisi beach I recommend you also take a 40-minute hike east to visit the secluded beach of Kedrodasos. 

If you’re on a day tour or boat trip from Paleochora to Elafonisi, choose one that stops for a swim at Kedrodasos, the water here is an enticing aquamarine.

3. Viena Beach

After the natural riches of Elafonisi beach and Kedrodasos, where should you head next on your Chania beaches tour?  Well, conveniently situated a little further along the same coast is the mystical Viena beach. 

Offering a different experience to Balos and Elafonisi, this petite Crete beach is alluring in its own right. Here you’ll find a small number of ancient ruins lying around on the sandbank. 

If you enjoy snorkelling you might even spot bits of terracotta-coloured pottery on the sea bed. 

There is something magical about this beach. Perhaps it’s that it’s cut off from the main road, so requires some effort to get here. Prepare to scramble down pathways and between bushes. Or maybe it’s the hundreds of years of history it encapsulates.

Whatever it is, it makes for an idyllic place to spend a few hours.

4. Grammenou and the South Coast beaches in Chania

Travel eastwards to take in the rest of the southern coast of Chania region, from Viena to Gialiskari beach.  Here you’ll find long stretches of peaceful and mostly pebbly beaches.

Start at Grammenou beach, popular and family friendly, with bars, umbrellas to rent and a campsite. 

This is actually one of the few sandy beaches on this part of the coast. Although it’s busier than some of the others, it’s not hard to get your own little piece of paradise. 

Walk away from the beach towards the headland and you’ll come across a quieter small stony bay.

If you’re in need of a change of sunny scene, take in Azzurro, Keratides, Pachia Ammos and Anidri beaches as you move along the coast. 

5. Chania Town beaches

When visiting Crete you’re likely to want to spend a few days in Chania Town.  Whilst the town itself is a buzz of tourists and city dwellers, it doesn’t take long to get away from it all and find a beach to relax on. 

Many people ask, does Chania have a beach. The answer is yes. To the west of Chania there’s the popular Nea Chora beach, with sunbeds, cafés and a long stretch of sand. 

For a different experience, Koum Kapi beach is located a quick 15-minute walk to the east of the Old Town.  It’s a tiny place which means you’ll probably only have a few locals for company. 

It’s not one of Chania’s prettiest beaches but it’s perfect for a quick dip after a day exploring the sights. 

It also makes a great stopping point on the half-hour stroll out to Tampakaria, the old tannery area.  Here you’ll find old leather workshops and semi-abandoned buildings.  There’s also Thalassino Ageri restaurant, situated right on the water’s edge. With a location as perfect as this, why eat anywhere else?

Chania region is spoilt for beaches. If these beauties have inspired you, a couple of other great beaches in Chania to check out are Falassarna beach on the west coast and Seitan Limania beach, on the headland north of Chania Town.

Map of Beaches in Chania

I’ve created a map that shows all the beaches in Chania listed in this article. Click the arrow icon to the left of the map heading to view the names of each beach.

More resources

• If you’re looking for a wonderful place to stay in the Chania region, read my guide to Paleochora, Greece.
• For another amazing European beach, check out my guide to the Blue Lagoon Malta or go further afield and check out the Best Havana Beaches.
• Discover a fantastic day trip to the ancient city of Aptera, Chania.
• Uncover the Italian island of Ischia’s best beaches.