Chania Beaches: The Best Family-Friendly Spots for Sun, Sand & Splashing
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a booking or purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
When we booked our trip to Crete, we knew we were in for sunshine, incredible food, and a bit of ancient history — but what really sold it for us was how family-friendly it felt. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and full of contrasts: rugged mountains, traditional villages, quiet coves, and bustling harbour towns. And right on the island’s northwestern coast sits Chania — our base for the trip, and easily one of the most charming spots we’ve ever explored.
Chania is known for its colourful Old Town, Venetian harbour, and café-lined waterfront — but it’s also home to some fantastic beaches. Whether you’re after soft sand and shallow waters or quiet coves and sunset views, Chania beaches really do deliver.
As a family travelling with a four-year-old, we were on the lookout for easy beach days — calm seas, space to play, and somewhere nearby for snacks. Some of the beaches in this list we visited and loved ourselves; others came highly recommended by locals and fellow parents we met along the way.
Still deciding if Chania’s right for your family? I’ve written a full blog on that too:
👉 Is Chania Worth Visiting? Honest Family Review
But if you’ve already got Chania locked in and just want to know where to soak up the sun with your little ones, here’s our guide to the best beaches in and around Chania.
What to Expect from Chania Beaches
Chania has no shortage of variety — from organised sandy shores with sunbeds to quiet, pebbly coves where the sea looks like glass. Some are perfect for little ones; others… not so much.
Here’s what we found most helpful when beach-hopping with a four-year-old:
✔ Calm, shallow water
✔ Sand (or at least no sharp rocks)
✔ Somewhere nearby for food or drinks
✔ Shade — natural or from an umbrella
✔ Easy access with a pram or overloaded beach bag
We didn’t hire a car on this trip as it was an extended family holiday with seven of us, so we explored several beaches close to our base. Some of the beaches listed below are better suited to those with car hire — something we’ll definitely consider next time. If you’re planning your family holiday and looking for the best things to do in Chania, beach-hopping is a must — especially when there are so many beautiful, family-friendly spots nearby.
Must-Visit Chania Beaches
Chania has no shortage of beaches — and while we didn’t get to every single one, we did try a handful and researched plenty more. Here’s our round-up of the best Chania beaches for families, mixing personal favourites with recommendations from locals and other parents.
Nea Chora Beach
This was our go-to, especially as we were staying in the Nea Chora area. Just a short stroll from the Old Town, Nea Chora ticked all the boxes for a low-stress beach day. The water is calm and shallow, the sand is soft, and the road running alongside is full of tavernas, ice cream stops, and shops for grabbing last-minute inflatables or beach toys.
It’s not the most dramatic beach, but when you’re travelling with a toddler, convenience and safety win every time. Plus, the beach is long and wide, so there are always plenty of sunbeds available.
Our daughter happily pottered around all day on this beach. We have a few food recommendations for this area on my ‘best restaurants in Chania‘ blog. We also stayed in thsi area in Villa Giota, you can read my full review here.
Facilities: Loads of sunbeds, shops, and tavernas
Getting there: Walkable from Chania Old Town, with a direct bus and nearby parking available
Stavros Beach & Coves
Located on the Akrotiri Peninsula, around 30–40 minutes from Chania Town, Stavros Beach (also known as Zorba’s Beach) is a calm, scenic spot with shallow, clear water — ideal for kids. The bay is backed by a dramatic rocky mountain and famously featured in the movie Zorba the Greek. There are sunbeds and tavernas nearby, making it an easy and picturesque day out.
We didn’t make it here ourselves this time, but it’s frequently recommended for families — especially those wanting a quieter spot away from the crowds.
Facilities: Sunbeds and local tavernas
Getting there: bus from Chania or free parking along the beach
Seitan Limania (Not Toddler-Friendly, But Stunning)
Let’s be clear: Seitan Limania (also known as Goat Beach) is not toddler-friendly. The steep, zigzag hike down and complete lack of facilities make it a challenge, and I’d definitely recommend wearing trainers. You’ll need to bring everything with you — there are no shops or toilets — and don’t leave food unattended because the local goats will absolutely help themselves!
That said, it’s one of the most iconic Chania beaches and undeniably stunning. If you’re travelling with older kids or fancy an adults-only afternoon, it’s worth the effort.
Families: Not suitable for young children
Getting there: Parking is a 10-minute walk away; buses run 4x per day from Chania
Agii Apostoli Beach
Just outside Chania centre, Agii Apostoli is made up of two sandy coves — shallow, sheltered, and ideal for kids. There’s a little park nearby, shady areas, and calm water. It’s popular with locals, especially on weekends, so aim to go midweek if you want a quieter experience.
This was one of our favourites — it felt safe, spacious, and very toddler-friendly.
Facilities: Sunbeds and a couple of beach cafés
Getting there: Direct bus from Chania and free parking along the beach
Marathi Beach
Around a 30-minute drive from Chania, Marathi Beach is a peaceful bay with calm, turquoise water that’s great for snorkelling and small children. The sand is soft, but the sea floor can be rocky in places, so water shoes are a good idea.
We didn’t make it here ourselves, but it came highly recommended by several other families — especially for little ones who love to wade in and out of the water all day.
Golden Beach (Chrissi Akti)
Close to Agii Apostoli, Golden Beach is one of the most popular Chania beaches for families. The water here was noticeably cleaner than Nea Chora, the sand is lovely, and it felt less crowded overall.
We really enjoyed this beach — simple, spacious, and easy to manage.
Facilities: A few sunbeds and a beach hut selling snacks
Getting there: Quick taxi ride or bus from Chania Town; parking nearby for drivers
Falassarna & Elafonissi (Day Trips from Chania)
These two beaches are outside Chania Town but often top the list for must-see Chania beaches if you’re planning day trips during your stay.
Falassarna is a huge, golden-sand beach with crystal-clear water and dramatic views. It’s stunning but can get windy, so it’s better for older kids or confident swimmers.
Elafonissi, often dubbed the Chania pink beach, is famous for its pink-tinted sand and shallow turquoise lagoons. It’s a great option for young kids once you get there, but it’s a long (1.5–2 hour) drive and gets very busy in peak season.
We didn’t attempt either this time due to time constraints and logistics, but they’re definitely on our list for when we’re feeling more adventurous.
What to Pack for Beach Days in Chania (With Kids)
Here’s what we’d recommend packing:
Swim shoes – some beaches have pebbles or rocky sea floors
Sun cream – goes without saying!
UV suits & sun hats – the sun is strong, even in early summer
Snacks + water – especially for quieter or remote beaches
Beach toys – a bucket and spade goes a long way
Lightweight pram or baby carrier – depending on beach access
Muslin cloths or UV shade – for impromptu naps on the sand
Final Thoughts: Are Chania Beaches Good for Families?
Honestly? Yes. We were pleasantly surprised by how many beaches around Chania worked well with a toddler in tow. Nea Chora and Golden Beach were our top picks thanks to their proximity to our villa, but all of the beaches listed had something going for them — whether we experienced them ourselves or heard glowing reviews from others.
Crete overall is a brilliant destination for families, and Chania makes a fantastic base for mixing beach days, day trips, and charming towns — without ever feeling too hectic.
More Crete related blog posts:
Villa Giota: The Best Family Villa in Chania, Crete
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