Chania Beaches: Best places to visit (Family friendly & practical guide)
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.
If you’re planning a family holiday to Crete and searching for “Chania beaches,” you’ll find everything from sandy shorelines right near town to dramatic coves further afield. We spent time exploring several beaches around Chania in June 2025, including Nea Chora, Golden Beach and Agii Apostoli, and found some fantastic family friendly options.
Alongside the beaches we personally visited, I’ve also included a few highly recommended spots that often appear on “best Chania beaches” lists, so you can decide what suits your trip best. Here’s our honest, practical guide to the beaches in and around Chania, especially if you’re travelling with kids.
Still deciding if Chania’s right for your family? Start with my complete Crete travel guide.
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.
👉 Check prices for car hire with DiscoverCars
Things to know before visiting Chania beaches
🏖️ Sunscreen & shade: Some beaches have limited umbrellas, bring your own for little ones
🩴 Water shoes: A few beaches have rocky entry points
🌊 Tide and wind: Eastern beaches can be calmer earlier in the day
🚾 Facilities: Not all beaches have toilets or cafes
🚕 Parking: Some spots fill up early in summer
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 — Closest beach to Chania Old Town
This was our go to, especially as we were staying in the Nea Chora area. Just a short stroll from the Old Town (full guide on the Old Town here), 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’ guide. We also stayed in this 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 and 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 — Stunning views (not toddler friendly)
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 — Shallow bays for little ones
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.
Nearby beaches like these make a villa stay like Villa Giota even more relaxing.
Facilities: Sunbeds and a couple of beach cafés
Getting there: Direct bus from Chania and free parking along the beach
Marathi Beach — Calm water and turquoise views
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) — Sandy and family friendly
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 and 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. For easier day trip experiences, you can book a guided tour.
👉 Check prices for Falassarna tours from Chania on Viator
👉 Check prices for Falassarna tours from Chania on GetYourGuide
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.
👉 Check prices for Elafonissi tours from Chania on Viator
👉 Check prices for Elafonissi tours from Chania on GetYourGuide
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.
👉 Check prices for joint Falassarna and Elafonissi tour from Chania with Viator
👉 Check prices for joint Falassarna and Elafonissi tour from Chania with GetYourGuide
For more family trip ideas around Chania, see my Is Chania worth visiting? post.
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 and sun hats – the sun is strong, even in early summer
💦 Snacks and 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.
FAQs about Chania beaches
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