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Vlites beach, a well-sheltered spot situated in the grand Souda bay, lies about 5 km to the east of Chania city and holds the title of the longest beach in the bay. This expansive beach takes shape north of the Moronis River’s mouth, extending northwards to the Souda Bay War Cemetery.
The sandy seashore is ideal for kids due to its typically tranquil state and shallow waters. Previously, its closeness to both the Souda Naval Base and Souda’s commercial port led many locals to avoid swimming in its waters. However, chemical analysis has confirmed the water’s cleanliness, assuring that swimming at Vlites beach is entirely safe.
Get directions to Vlites beach
Vlites beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and stunning natural scenery.
Yes, Vlites beach is suitable for families with children as the water is calm and shallow.
No, there are no water sports activities available at Vlites beach.
No, there is no natural shade available at Vlites beach, so it is recommended to bring your own umbrella or sunshade.
No, Vlites beach is not accessible for people with disabilities as there are stairs to access the Vlites beach.
Yes, there is a small parking area available at Vlites beach, but it can get crowded during peak season.
No, there are no restaurants or cafes near Vlites beach, so it is recommended to bring your own food and drinks.
No, Vlites beach is not a popular tourist destination, so it is usually less crowded than other beaches in the area.
The water colour of the Vlites beach is blue.
The Vlites beach has sand as its sand type.
The water at the Vlites beach is shallow.
The surface of the sea at the Vlites beach is usually calm.
The Vlites beach has normal crowds.
The Vlites beach has accommodation options, food/water nearby, umbrellas/beds, and showers.
The Vlites beach can be accessed through a paved road.
No, there is no other information available about the Vlites beach.
Find below list of things to do near Vlites beach:
Are you ready for an unforgettable journey beneath the surface?
-Pick-Up or Meet-Up: We’ll either pick you up or meet you at our dive center, where you’ll meet your instructor.
-Theory and Briefing: Get ready for a quick session to cover essential theories behind safe diving practices and equipment use basics and safety tips.
-Choose Your Gear: Your instructor will help you pick out gear that suits you best.
– Beach Prep: We’ll head to the beach together, gear up, and get ready for our dive.
– Dive Time: Let’s dive in and explore the stunning underwater world together, for about 45minutes
-After we finish, we’ll return back to the dive center to get ready for the drop-off or if you have your own transportation, you are more than welcome to use it.
Our experienced instructors will take you through step-by-step instruction, before diving, covering everything you need to know in order to make most of it!
Book your beginner scuba diving course today and let the exploration begin!
Pick-Up or Meet-Up: We’ll either pick you up or meet you at our dive center, where you’ll meet your instructor.
Briefing and Theory: Following the excitement of your first dive, we’ll gather for a quick session covering essential theories behind safe diving practices, equipment basics, and safety tips.
Choose Your Gear: Your instructor will guide you in selecting the gear that best suits you
Beach Prep: We’ll head to the beach together, assemble our gear, and get ready for our first dive for about 45minutes.
After a refreshing break: we’ll change cylinders and then get ready for the second dive at maximum depth of 12 meters.
After we finish, we’ll return back to the dive center where you will receive your Basic Diver Certification .
Finally: Let’s get ready for the drop-off or if you have your own transportation, you are more than welcome to use it.
Book your beginner scuba diving today and let the exploration begin!
Andreas, an experienced soap maker, will provide you all the details and information to produce your own soap.
In 1.5 hours you will learn to make your own soap and gain experience in soap making. In a fully equipped laboratory you will have the opportunity to do the entire soap production process.
For the preparation of your own soap, we use ingredients that come from our land and at the end of the activity you take a soap with you.
By completing the workshop you will be in a position when you return home to produce soap for your own use.
Make the most of your time in Chania and discover the wonders of the Old City on this Segway tour through the Kasteli and Splantzia districts. Meet your friendly guide at the local partner’s office and get kitted out with the necessary Segway gear then set out onto the charming streets of Chania where adventure awaits.
Head into the Eastern part of Chania’s Old City and discover the remainders of the Ottoman rule as you explore the Turkish neighborhoods here. Glide along traditional cobble streets and narrow alleys while learning about the fascinating history of the districts throughout the ages. Along the way, see the most iconic sights and landmarks, including the impressive Venetian walls and Koum Kapi.
Live a unique experience of the city of Chania. Floating by the Lighthouse and the beautiful buildings of the harbour, Giali Tzami and the old shipyards. Our meeting point is the beach called Honolulu and there is a bus stop right above it. We will start paddling after a small introduction to sea kayaking. The part of the city where the local tanneries used to be called Tambakaria is our first stop and from there we will kayak to Koum Kapi, and enter the Venetian port. From the lighthouse we will continue to Lazareto island for a small stop fro swimming.
Chania is by far the most beautiful prefecture of Crete and surely one of the most beautiful areas in Greece. The coastline is a gem for the area from its rugged and colourful rock formations until the gold sand beaches. On a kayak you are the lucky one to explore the remote areas and the famous spots and beaches escaping traffic, queues and crowds. Chania city can be full of surprises wether wondering around the old city alleys or having drinks with the famous Chania lighthouse (Faros).
Explore Chania’s Rich History and Vibrant Culture on Two Wheels
Dive into the heart of Chania with an e-bike city tour that combines the ease of electric biking with the depth of cultural exploration. Starting from the Old Market, this tour takes you through historic sites, beautiful beachfront areas, and introduces you to the local flavors and traditions of Crete. It’s the perfect way to see the city’s highlights while enjoying the freedom and fun of riding an e-bike.
This e-bike tour is an ideal way to experience the historical richness, cultural depth, and natural beauty of Chania. It offers a unique perspective on the city, combining leisure and learning in an eco-friendly adventure. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, this tour promises a new and exciting way to explore Chania.
Find below the list of hotels near Vlites beach:
Featuring quiet street views, Eva’s Place Panoramic Sea View offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 2.9 km from Conference Centre of MAICh. It has mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The holiday home with a terrace and sea views features 3 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are featured in the holiday home.
If you would like to discover the area, walking tours is possible in the surroundings.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 3.8 km from the holiday home, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 4.2 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 10 km from Eva’s Place Panoramic Sea View.
from
€162
/night
Featuring air conditioning, Seametry Apartments offers accommodation in Chania Town. House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 3 km from the property. Free private parking is available on site.
Featuring sea and mountain-view balconies, all units include a dining area and a seating area with a satellite flat-screen TV. There is also a kitchen, fitted with an oven and fridge. A stovetop is also featured, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. Every unit is equipped with a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Bed linen is available.
Bike hire is available at the property. Municipal Market of Chania is 5.5 km from Seametry Apartments, while Saint Anargyri Church is 6 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 4 km from Seametry Apartments.
Featuring pool views, Seametry Luxury Living Penthouse provides accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around 3.8 km from Conference Centre of MAICh. It features a rooftop pool, a garden, mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The apartment is equipped with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
At the apartment guests are welcome to take advantage of a hot tub. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Seametry Luxury Living Penthouse.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 3.8 km from the accommodation, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 4.1 km away. The nearest airport is Chania International, 10 km from Seametry Luxury Living Penthouse, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€63
/night
Featuring a terrace, Panoramic Seaview Holiday House is a semi-detached holiday home in Chania Town. It has a mesmerizing view of Souda Bay and the Sea of Crete, the White Mountains and Malaxa Mountain, the Akrotiri Peninsula and picturesque villages.
A dishwasher and an oven can be found in the kitchen. Towels and bed linen are provided in this holiday home. There is a private bathroom with a bath. The air-conditioned unit offers free WiFi throughout.
It is located just a 3-minute drive from the nearest beach, 8 minutes from the port and 10 minutes from the centre of Chania and its Venetian Harbour. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 8 km from the property. Free private parking is possible on site.
Boasting garden views, DiMaGeo Life studio apartment features accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 4.1 km from House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos. The air-conditioned accommodation is 2.7 km from Conference Centre of MAICh, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
The apartment with a balcony and sea views has 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchenette with a microwave and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
The apartment offers a picnic area. Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Archaeological Museum of Chania is 4.4 km from DiMaGeo Life studio apartment, while Saint Anargyri Church is 5.5 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 10 km from the accommodation.
from
€71
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, Villa Androniki is situated in Souda. It has a garden, a terrace, sea views and free WiFithroughout the property.
This apartment features 4 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and an oven, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 2 bathrooms fitted with a bidet. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
House-Museum of Eleftherios Venizelos is 3.3 km from the apartment, while Archaeological Museum of Chania is 3.6 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 10 km from Villa Androniki.
from
€118
/night
Find below list of beaches near Vlites beach:
Koum Kapi is a roughly 1km strip of sand and a cafe and bar district on the eastern edge of Chania’s old town, just beyond the Venetian port. It is best known for its long coastal street lined with cafes and nightclubs rather than for classic beach days, and it stays unorganized, with no sunbed or umbrella setup. People do swim on the sandy east side, though many locals still hold back after years when swimming here was banned. Come for a seafront coffee, a sunset drink, and an easy walk from the old town; treat the swim as a bonus rather than the reason to visit.
Koum Kapi sits at the eastern edge of the scenic port of Chania, directly in front of the historical Bedouin district. The area was once home to African economic migrants who lived in rush-made huts during the Ottoman period, having first arrived on the island as slaves. None of those huts remain today. The only visible structures now are the buildings along a long coastal street lined with cafes and nightclubs.
The name comes from the Turkish phrase Kum Kapisi, meaning the Gate of Sand. This was a gate on the Venetian Walls that stood next to the sandy beach, and the district still carries that name. Backed by the old town and open to the sea, Koum Kapi reads more as a lively urban waterfront than a resort beach.
The heart of Koum Kapi is its seafront promenade. A long coastal street runs beside the water, lined with cafes and nightclubs, and this is where most visitors spend their time. It works through the whole day, from morning coffee to late-night drinks, with the sea and the old-town backdrop in view.
The strip sits within easy reach of the Venetian harbour and the old town, so it pairs naturally with a wider evening out. Browse guided walks, tours, and other bookable options to build a full day around the waterfront on the Crete Locals list of things to do in Chania and across the island.
Koum Kapi stretches for about 1km to the east, running beneath a pedestrian road. To the west, the sea meets the road’s wall with no beach in between, so there is little room there. On the east side, a strip of sandy beach forms, and this is where most people swim. Further east, a beautiful cove takes shape, though locals still tend to avoid swimming in it.
The sand is soft, the water reads blue, and the shallows stay shallow close to shore, with a sea surface that is usually calm. In earlier years Koum Kapi was a popular swimming spot in Chania, but declining seawater quality led to a swimming ban. Recent upgrades to the city’s biological cleaning infrastructure have improved the water, and the city’s Water Supply and Sewerage Authority considers it safe for swimming again. Even so, the beach stays unorganized and is still not fully trusted by many locals, so it is sensible to check conditions on the day before you get in.
Koum Kapi lies within the city of Chania, on a paved road at the eastern edge of the old town, which makes it one of the easier spots to reach on foot from the centre. Bus services run to the area, and the paved-road access means you can also drive in.
There is a parking area near the beach, but it fills up and gets crowded in peak season, so arriving early helps. Compare rental options through Crete Locals car rental in Crete when you want the freedom to move between beaches and villages across the wider region.
Koum Kapi fits travellers staying in or near Chania old town who want a seafront base for coffee, food, and drinks without leaving the city. It is family friendly, with shallow, usually calm water on the east-side sand, and it suits anyone who values atmosphere and walkability over a fully organized beach.
It is a weaker choice if you want sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach services, or a long stretch of open sand. For a more conventional swim close to town, the sandy bays just west of the harbour are a better match than Koum Kapi.
A short way east, in the Halepa suburb of Chania beside the Agia Kyriaki chapel and beach, you will find Kouloura, a small rocky pond. It serves as a favoured natural pool among Halepa residents, many of whom have their own story about the place.
Koum Kapi also sits close to some of the city’s landmarks, including the Venetian Harbour, the Archaeological Museum of Chania, and the Municipal Market of Chania. When you are ready to swim somewhere more open, nearby options include Lazaretta islet, Vlites beach, Chrissi Akti beach, and the sandy Nea Chora beach just west of the port. You can plan a wider coastal route from the full Crete Locals guide to beaches in Crete.
Koum Kapi beach is in the city of Chania, on the island of Crete, Greece, at the eastern edge of the old town in front of the historical Bedouin district.
Yes, Koum Kapi beach is suitable for swimming, and the city’s Water Supply and Sewerage Authority considers the water safe after infrastructure upgrades. It is still recommended to check the water conditions before entering the sea.
The beach has sand, the water colour is blue, the water near shore is shallow, and the surface of the sea is usually calm.
Visitors can swim on the east-side sandy strip and enjoy the several cafes and restaurants along the coastal street.
Koum Kapi beach is unorganized, so it has no sunbeds or umbrellas, but there are accommodation options and food and water available nearby.
The beach is reached by bus services and by a paved road, and there is a parking area nearby that can get crowded in peak season, so it helps to arrive early.
Yes, nearby attractions include the Venetian Harbour, the Archaeological Museum of Chania, and the Municipal Market of Chania.
Nea Chora, a picturesque sandy beach, lies just a kilometer west of Chania city center along Akti Papanikoli Street, opposite the Lazaretta islet. A short 15-minute stroll from Chania’s old harbor, this beach boasts a well-maintained main area with several facilities at hand. While mostly sandy, Nea Chora also features rocky patches. It’s the perfect spot for those who prefer to stay nearby the city center. East of the beach, you can still spot the old soap factory’s towering chimney and the former sanatorium of Chania. Nea Chora is a favorite among locals for its seafood taverns, but there are also plenty of restaurants, snack bars, and cafes to choose from. Every summer, the beach hosts the “Sardine Festival”, complete with traditional music, dancing, and free fish for attendees.
Kladissos beach
Further along the river Kladisos, a second beach unfolds all the way up to Aptera beach. Kladisos beach is a lengthy sandy bay, interspersed with pebbly areas. Despite its proximity to Chania and its appealing beauty, the beach remains relatively secluded and unspoiled. The simplest way to access this beach is by crossing the Kladisos river via the pedestrian bridge.
Agios Onoufrios, a serene seaside village located 8km north of Chania and close to Kounoupidiana, is a hidden gem worth visiting.
The beach of Agios Onoufrios is quiet and sandy, and well protected from the winds, as it is located in a deep bay, along with a picturesque small port. Although not well-organized, it’s a popular spot for locals who come for the picturesque landscape and traditional taverns. The only downside is the fuel tanks located northwest of the beach, which break the peaceful atmosphere.
Despite this, the beach is equipped with sunbeds, parasols, showers, changing rooms, and a lifeguard service. For sports enthusiasts, there are two volleyball courts available. Overall, Agios Onoufrios is a great destination for those looking for a quiet beach away from the crowds.
Lazaretta islet, situated across Nea Chora, functioned as a leprosarium for the Venetians in the 17th century, similar to most islets in Crete’s cities. Its moniker is derived from Lazarus, whom the Roman Catholic Church recognizes as the lepers’ patron saint.
Historically, it has been identified as a burial site, presumably for patients, and the site still exhibits the remnants of buildings that the Turks demolished in 1645 to install a sizeable cannon to assist their siege of Chania’s stronghold at the harbour entrance. In certain areas, fragments of bombs dropped during the German military operations in World War II can still be observed.
The islet is home to a Saint Nicholas shrine, constructed by a local man in 1954. This man suffered a sunstroke on the island but was able to swim to Nea Chora and survive. The island features a small sandy beach, favored for snorkeling and often visited by local diving schools and seafaring tour boats. In the 1950s, long-distance competitive swimmers frequently selected Lazaretta as their starting point for races, with the inner harbour of Chania serving as the finish line.
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