Platanias Beach

From all the villages in the area west of Chania, Platanias is the one most known for its nightlife. With many top rated resorts, hotels, and apartments, as well as traditional tavernas, restaurants and cafe-bars, Platanias has everything visitors could need for their holiday. Moreover, banks, chemists, medical centres and supermarkets are not more than a short walk away. The area is popular with international and domestic travellers, but also locals as it is well connected with public transport from the city centre and doesn’t require a long drive to reach.

Due to its accessibility, the area can get crowded during peak summer but you can always get a quieter stretch of sand in between the beach bars if lounging on a sunbed is not to your liking. The lovely beach is sandy, extending for 3 km, well-organized and suitable for all sorts of water-sports, with the usual umbrellas, sunbeds and beach bars. Lifeguards watch over your safety in the water.

To get there, just follow the road west from Chania towards Maleme. There is also a regular bus service throughout the day that runs until late at night. Parts of the beach are fenced off, due to the presence of Caretta Caretta turtles that chose this beach to lay their eggs on. After spending the day by the beach, you can move to the Ano (or Upper) Platanias village, a small, picturesque spot higher on the hill, with amazing views of the gulf below. The small island that is visible across the beach is called Agioi Theodori and is a protected natural reserve, where Cretan wild goats roam free. Approaching the island is forbidden.

The long stretch of sand is perfect for leisurely walking. Heading east, you will reach Agioi Apostoloi, which is practically a cluster of three small and sheltered bays separated by rocky outcrops. The bays have sand, blue-green waters and plenty of vegetation all around. The name, meaning Holy Apostles, comes from a church near the beach on a small hill. You can walk up the hill for a panoramic view of the bays and the surrounding area; the church is very popular during the summer for weddings.