Stalos beach
Located to the West of Chania, Stalos is part of a long stretch of sandy beaches that runs from Stalos to Gerani. Stalos, Agia Marina and Platanias run into each other forming one long coastal strip and beach. It is the most developed tourist area in the Chania region.
Type of beach: a long, wide sandy beach
Size of beach: Stalos beach is about 2 km long but the beach carries on into Agia Marina and beyond.
How busy: Stalos beach is not as busy as Agia Marina or Platanias as the hotels are not as densely packed along the length of the beach. It’s also very wide so doesn’t ever feel cramped.
Winds: open to the North so it will be affected by north winds (prevalent in summer) and can have waves on those days.
Facilities
Sunbeds and umbrellas, a few cabins to change, showers, life guards
Safe for children: on quiet days the water is safe and doesn’t drop to quickly. If it’s windy you will get waves and sometimes currents so children need to be supervised (and adults should be careful too).
Car parking: free parking in a number of areas.
Getting there
Chania is only 7 km away along the coastal road. There are plenty of regular buses from Chania.
Eating & drinking
Several cafés and snack bars along the beach
Best places to stay near Stalos beach
Agia Marina beach
Located to the West of Chania, Agia Marina is part of a long stretch of sandy beaches that runs from Stalos to Gerani. Stalos, Agia Marina and Platanias run into each other forming one long coastal strip and beach. It is the most developed tourist area in the Chania region.
Type of beach: a long and wide sandy beach
Size of beach: hard to say where Agia Marina starts and stops but the total length of beach of the 3 resorts is about 8km.
How busy: as it’s the main tourist area of Chania it is busy but the beach is wide so it won’t feel cramped.
Winds: open to the North so it will be affected by North winds (prevalent in summer) and can have waves on those days.
Facilities
Sunbeds and umbrellas, a few cabins to change, showers, life guards, water sports
Safe for children: on quiet days the water is safe though it can drop quite quickly in parts. If it’s windy you will get waves and sometimes currents so children need to be supervised (and adults should be careful too).
Car parking: free parking in a number of areas though it might get a bit tight in high season.
Getting there
Chania is only 10 km away along the coastal road. There are plenty of regular buses from Chania.
Eating & drinking
A huge choice to cater for the large number of visitors. The beach is also lined up with beach cafeterias serving snacks and drinks.
Best places to stay near Agia Marina beach
Platanias beach
Located to the West of Chania, Platanias is part of a long stretch of sandy beaches that runs from Stalos to Gerani. Stalos, Agia Marina and Platanias run into each other forming one long coastal strip and beach. It is the most developed tourist area in the Chania region.
Type of beach: a long, wide sandy beach. Rough sand and small pebbles in parts.
Size of beach: hard to say where Platanias beach starts but its total length up to the Platanias river is over 3 km
How busy: as it’s the main tourist area of Chania it is busy. Some areas can be pretty packed but it is also easy to avoid if you prefer it less crowded: if you head towards the West (and the Platanias river) it gets very quiet.
Winds: open to the North so it will be affected by north winds (prevalent in summer) and can have waves on those days.
Facilities
Sunbeds and umbrellas, a few cabins to change, showers, life guards, water sports
Safe for children: on quiet days the water is safe though it can drop quite quickly in parts. If it’s windy you will get waves and sometimes currents so children need to be supervised (and adults should be careful too).
Car parking: free parking in a number of areas though it might get a bit tight in high season.
Getting there
Chania is only 12 km from Platanias along the coastal road. There are plenty of regular buses from Chania.
Eating & drinking
A huge choice to cater for the large number of visitors. The beach is also lined up with beach cafeterias serving snacks and drinks.
Best places to stay near Platanias beach
