These images are powered by
Situated 13 km west of Chania city, nestled between Maleme and Platanias, lies the quaint coastal village of Gerani. The village is nestled in a lush valley filled with olive and citrus groves, which were once the primary source of income for the villagers. Today, tourism drives the economy of Gerani.
Stretching across 2.5 km, Gerani’s beach is known for its beautiful sand and crystal-clear water. The beach is equipped with numerous amenities such as umbrellas, showers, beach bars, water sports facilities, and lifeguards, making it an ideal destination for family vacations. Several tamarisk trees provide shade, and for those preferring less crowded spots, there are unorganized parts of the coast. However, visitors must tread carefully, as the sandy beach serves as a nesting ground for the Caretta caretta turtles from May to September.
The village of Gerani got its name from a simple water-pumping method used in the village. The method involved the use of a wooden fork and a horizontal piece of wood, with a rope tied at one end to a bucket and a counterweight at the other end.
Historically, Gerani is thought to be the site of ancient Kydonia, according to some scientists. It is also believed that the village once housed a temple dedicated to Goddess Vritomartis, the Cretan counterpart of Goddess Artemis.
The village witnessed a battle against the Turks in 1867, where the Cretan rebels emerged victorious. However, fearing retaliation, the locals asked the rebels to leave, leading to the Turks returning and causing havoc. Gerani also holds significance as the place where famed Cretan novelist John Kondilakis started his teaching career in 1885-1886. The school where he taught, located in Pano Gerani, still stands today.
There are various activities you can do at Gerani beach such as swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball, and water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides.
Yes, Gerani beach is suitable for families with children as the water is shallow and calm, and there are lifeguards on duty during the day. There is also a playground nearby.
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes near Gerani beach where you can enjoy a meal or a drink while enjoying the view of the sea.
Yes, there is a parking area near Gerani beach where you can park your car for free.
Yes, you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas at Gerani beach for a fee.
Yes, Gerani beach is accessible for people with disabilities as there are ramps and special facilities available.
Yes, there are water sports schools at Gerani beach where you can take lessons and rent equipment for various water sports activities.
Yes, there is a walking and cycling path near Gerani beach where you can enjoy a scenic view of the sea and the surrounding area.
The water colour of the Gerani beach is blue.
The Gerani beach has sand and fine pebbles.
The water depth at the Gerani beach is normal.
The sea surface at the Gerani beach is usually wavy.
The Gerani beach is usually quiet.
The Gerani beach has accommodation options, food/water nearby, umbrellas/beds, sports, lifeguard, showers, and a Blue Flag.
The Gerani beach can be accessed by bus services, paved road, and is handicap friendly.
Yes, there is tree shade available at the Gerani beach.
Yes, there is a seaturtle nesting point at the Gerani beach.
Find below list of things to do near Gerani beach:
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the rich culture and traditions of Crete! Set in the charming village of Kefalas in Apokoronas, our Authentic Cretan Night offers a unique experience filled with delicious food, live music, and traditional dance.
Pick-up Service:
Begin your evening with the convenience of a pick-up service . Relax as you are transported to Taverna Ortaki , nestled in the heart of Kefalas .
Arrival and Welcome:
Upon arrival, step into the warm embrace of Cretan hospitality. The welcoming atmosphere sets the tone for an unforgettable night filled with cultural delights.
Dinner with Cretan Flavors:
Indulge in a sumptuous Cretan dinner crafted from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The menu showcases the diverse and mouthwatering flavors of Cretan cuisine, offering a culinary exploration of the region.
Live Music Performance:
Immerse yourself in the soul-stirring melodies of live traditional Cretan music. Local musicians, often featuring instruments like the lyre and laouto, create an authentic ambiance that transports you to the heart of Crete.
Traditional Dance Show:
Be mesmerized by a spirited traditional dance performance, where skilled dancers adorned in vibrant costumes showcase the unique dances of Crete. The rhythmic beats and lively movements tell stories of the island’s rich cultural heritage.
Audience Engagement:
Feel the energy of the performance and join in the fun! The friendly atmosphere encourages audience participation, allowing you to experience the joy of traditional Cretan dances firsthand.
Dessert Delights:
Conclude your gastronomic journey with delectable Cretan desserts, adding a sweet note to your evening. Indulge in treats like baklava or loukoumades, savoring the perfect end to your culinary experience.
Closing and Departure:
Bid farewell to the gracious hosts and fellow guests, leaving with cherished memories of an authentic Cretan night. If you arranged for transportation, enjoy a comfortable drop-off back to your accommodation.
Embark on a cultural odyssey at Taverna ORTAKI , where every element of this Cretan night has been thoughtfully curated to offer an immersive and unforgettable experience. A perfect blend of music, dance, gastronomy, and warm hospitality awaits you.
Explore the World War II history of Crete and learn about its wider impact in southeast Europe and Greece. Explore the story of the Greek-Italian War of 1940 and the circumstances that lead to Hitler’s Operation Mercury.
Hear how the Battle of Crete and the resistance to the invasion helped revive the morale of the Allied troops around the world. Visit key location sites such as the pretty village of Maleme, where the German paratroopers first landed. Discover remnants of the war at Tavronitis and Galatas, and visit the war cemeteries of the German and Allied troops.
Be amazed as your guide brings history to life and tells you about secret shelters and other monuments from the war. Hear untold stories that take you behind the scenes and explore the role the partisans played as they helped the British, Australian and New Zealand armies change the course of history.
Head to Kolymvari port, Chania and be greeted by a crew member who will escort you to the vessel. Hop aboard and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea along with some light snacks. Then, after a short safety briefing, set sail towards the Agioi Theodoroi islands.
Sit back and relax as you make your way to the islands, where you can take advantage of a selection of fun activities. Go for a swim, try your hand at snorkeling, or use the SUP boards to go paddling.
If you prefer a more laid-back experience, this cruise also offers the ideal opportunity for some relaxed sunbathing.
A special entertainment area with board games provides some extra fun for those traveling with kids and if your little one needs a nap, the boat has some comfortable cabins at the ready.
Take a break to refuel with lunch aboard the catamaran. The menu is prepared using local, organic products and includes salad, pasta, seafood, and chicken.
Enjoy local white wine, beer, and soft drinks with your food, and savor a selection of homemade sweets and fresh fruit to round out the meal. A kid’s menu of chicken nuggets or pasta ensures that your little ones will be satisfied too.
Finally, benefit from some more free time before making your way back to the marina in Kolymvari where your cruise comes to an end.
Set sail from Kolymvari and start your trip with a welcome on board. Get to know the team and get briefed by your captain about the safety rules.
Navigate toward one of the most picturesque bays in the area, among the Agioi Theodoroi islands. Stop to swim, snorkel, play with inflatables, or try stand-up paddleboarding.
Enjoy a Mediterranean dinner onboard with vegetarian options available. Savor delicious seafood, and local and imported drinks. Cruise back to Kolymvari while surrounded by sweeping scenery.
Explore the island of Kri-Kri (Thodorou island) onboard a cruise around Crete. Sail around stunning gulfs, secluded small islands, and enjoy the turquoise blue waters.
Begin your cruise in the morning. Sail around Thodorou Island, located near Chania, opposite Agia Marina beach, and see the surrounding secluded islands in the area.
Discover Cretan wild goats (kri-kri). Enjoy the calm and tranquil sea. The coastline of the island and the wreck of a German aircraft from WW2 are perfect places for snorkeling.
Exploring the Olive Treasures: Begin your day with a visit to an olive mill in Kolymbary, where you’ll witness the olive oil-making process and engage in a flavorful olive oil tasting. Journey to Ano Vouves to encounter a 3000-year-old ancient olive tree, delving into the rich history and significance of olives in Cretan culture.
Wine Tasting and Longevity Secrets: At Karavitakis winery, savor the finest wines while uncovering the secrets of longevity associated with Cretan living. Enjoy an informative wine tasting session amidst stunning vineyard landscapes, immersing yourself in the cultural significance of winemaking in Crete.
Off-Road Adventure and Scenic Beauty: Embark on an exhilarating off-road adventure towards Sebronas village, navigating through picturesque gorges, lush vegetation, and panoramic vistas. Capture the essence of Cretan countryside life with photo opportunities of chapels, livestock, vineyards, and olive groves.
Cretan Gastronomy and Hospitality: Satisfy your appetite at a quaint tavern in Nea Roumata, experiencing the true essence of Cretan hospitality through local platters and authentic cuisine. Immerse yourself in the flavors and warmth of Cretan culture while enjoying a memorable dining experience.
Embark on a unique wine and olive escape, immersing yourself in the famed Greek hospitality and embracing the sights, flavors, and warmth of Cretan culture. Enjoy a professionally guided journey through ancient landscapes and indulge in authentic culinary delights, making this safari tour an unforgettable experience.
Find below the list of hotels near Gerani beach:
Located right on the sandy Gerani Beach in Chania, the family-run Baladinos Apartments features a bar-restaurant amidst its lush gardens. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout and self-catering accommodation with a balcony or patio.
Overlooking the Cretan Sea or the garden, the apartments of Baladinos have a kitchenette with dining area, fridge and cooking hobs. Each unit is equipped with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom comes with a shower and a hairdryer.
Guests can start their day with a continental breakfast served daily at the dining area. Coffee drinks and traditional flavours can also be enjoyed at the bar-restaurant offering sea views.
Baladinos Apartments lies within 17 km from Chania Town and its scenic Venetian Harbor and 21 km from Souda Port. Agia Marina Village with its sandy beach is at 4 km, while the famous Falassarna Beach is 34 km away. Free private parking is possible on site.
from
€57
/night
Featuring river views, Wooden Beach House offers accommodation with a balcony and a coffee machine, around a few steps from Gerani Beach. It features a garden, barbecue facilities, mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The holiday home is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with sea views.
Popular points of interest near the holiday home include Platanias Beach, Maleme Beach and Platanias Square. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 26 km from Wooden Beach House.
Situated right on Gerani Beach, Silver Beach Hotel features a swimming pool set within well-kept gardens. Guests enjoy spacious rooms with seating areas, sports facilities and delicious Cretan cuisine.
Silver Beach air-conditioned rooms are bright and airy, and offer views of the hotel gardens, the pool or the sea. Each comes with free internet access, a safe and TV, as well as a fridge.
A traditional Cretan breakfast, featuring local delights, is served at the Silver Beach each morning. Refreshing drinks and cocktails are available by the poolside bar. The on-site restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.
Silver Beach Hotel includes a well-equipped gym, as well as volleyball. Younger guests will enjoy splashing in their own pool, as well as safe play at the hotel’s playground.
Silver Beach is a short distance from the tourist resort area of Platanias, 13 km from the Venetian port of Chania, and 26 km from Chania Airport. Free parking is available.
Featuring air-conditioned accommodation with a patio, Passatempo Casa is set in Gerani Chanion. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The apartment is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
A continental, Italian or American breakfast is available every morning at the property.
A car rental service is available at the apartment.
Popular points of interest near Passatempo Casa include Gerani Beach, Maleme Beach and Platanias Beach. The nearest airport is Chania International, 27 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€162
/night
Boasting a garden, an outdoor pool and sea views, Liberty & Freedom Luxury Villas is set in Plataniás. Mini soccer and basketball courses are available, while a private helipad is also featured on site.
This villa features a balcony, a living room and a flat-screen TV. The air-conditioned villa also features washing machine and a bathroom with a hot tub and a bath.
Speaking French and English at the reception, staff are ready to help around the clock.
The villa offers a hot tub. If you would like to discover the area, cycling is possible in the surroundings and the property can arrange a bicycle rental service.
Agios Dimitrios Church is 2.1 km from Liberty & Freedom Luxury Villas. Chania International Airport is 23 km away.
from
€67
/night
Set directly on Platanias beach, in a garden full of orange and olive trees, this aparthotel suits guests in search of a memorable Cretan vacation.
Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or fun family holiday, Hotel Caretta Beach caters to your every need. Spend the day relaxing on your balcony and marvel at stunning views of the Aegean Sea.
Traditional Cretan cuisine is available at the beach pavilion, where you can also enjoy breakfast at a time that suits you best. If you prefer, you can also make use of the kitchenette and facilities in your spacious guest unit.
The outdoor pool provides you with a great alternative to swimming in the sea and includes a special kids section. This way you can watch your children splash in the water while sipping a refreshing drink at Caretta’s bar.
Tours of the island, as well as hiking trips and rental bikes, can be arranged at reception.
Find below list of beaches near Gerani beach:
Platanias, a coastal hamlet situated 11km west of the city of Chania, has seen a significant surge in tourism in recent years, transforming it from a quaint village into a bustling suburb of Chania. Its close proximity to the city, coupled with its stunning beach and frequent bus services from Chania, have made it the most favoured beach near the city. The original village, nestled on a hillside, offers a breathtaking view of the sea and the islet of Thodorou.
The beach in Platanias is an attractive stretch of sandy shore dotted with hotels of varying class and standard tourist facilities. Beachgoers can avail of all the amenities typical of well-organized beaches, including beach bars, umbrellas, showers, snack bars, lifeguards, and water sports. On the eastern side of the local harbour, near Agia Marina, swimmers can enjoy several small, man-made coves. In the summer, the area’s nightclubs come alive, hosting thousands of both Greek and foreign party-goers who dance until daybreak.
Situated 18km west of Chania, Maleme forms part of the expansive beach that stretches from Kolimbari to the vicinity of Chania. This lengthy bay is adorned with stunning sandy and pebbly beaches, although they are exposed to frequent northerly winds. The beach at Maleme is sandy and the surrounding area is well developed, with all necessary amenities conveniently located near the beach. For those seeking a more secluded spot for a swim, the west end of the beach, adjacent to the old military airport, offers a quieter location.
The name Maleme is believed to derive from the word “Malama”, translating to gold, hinting at the possibility of a gold mine existing in ancient times, although this hasn’t been confirmed. In addition, a domed tomb from the late Minoan period has been discovered near Maleme. Despite having been looted, two cylindrical seals depicting running wild animals were found by archaeologists.
During World War II, Maleme held significant historical importance. It was home to the Allies’ military airport until it was seized by German forces. The Battle of Crete in 1941 saw German paratroopers descend upon Maleme to gain control of the airport. They were met with fierce resistance from local Cretans and Allied forces, leading to substantial casualties on the German side. With only rudimentary weapons at their disposal, the local Cretans dealt a significant blow to the German paratroopers, which drew praise for Cretan patriotism from Hitler himself. This marked the first time in the Second World War where German forces faced strong resistance from a local population. It was also the first large-scale airborne invasion in history, and the last of its kind. The German Cemetery, located on a hill near Maleme, is the final resting place for the 4500 German paratroopers who lost their lives. A monument dedicated to fallen RAF airmen can also be found near Maleme, close to the River Tavronitis bridge.
Agia Marina, a charming coastal town, lies just 9km west of the city of Chania. It’s one of Chania’s most sought-after holiday spots, boasting numerous hotels and a full range of tourist amenities. The town’s name is derived from the local Agia Marina church, which holds its festival on July 17th.
Agia Marina is renowned for its stunning chain of sandy beaches. To the west, near the Platania port, there are several small, man-made piers where swimming is possible. To the east, the beach extends to Stalos, offering a long stretch of sand. A variety of services are available along the seashore, typical of a well-appointed beach.
Around 1.5km south of the town, you’ll find the Nerospilia cave, home to spectacular stalagmites and stalactites. Unfortunately, public access is not permitted due to its location on private property. This cave was a place of worship during the Middle Minoan era. While in Agia Marina, don’t miss a visit to the local folklore museum.
Facing the beach of Agia Marina is the protected island of Thodorou, designated as a nature reserve. It’s a sanctuary for the endangered Cretan wild goats, relocated here from the White Mountains, near Samaria Gorge. While approaching the island is generally forbidden, limited boat tours are sometimes available with special permission from the Forest Service. The island’s small sandy beach in the tiny cove, which doubles as the harbour, offers wonderful views of Agia Marina.
Tavronitis beach, found 20km west of Chania, is situated on the western side of the historic Maleme airport, one kilometer north of the village of Tavronitis and is named after the Tavronitis river that flows nearby. This long, pebbly beach is just a segment of the expansive coastline that stretches from Kolimbari to Stalos, making it an ideal swimming spot, especially during calm weather as the northern coast of Crete often experiences waves. There are ample amenities nearby, including hotels, tavernas, restaurants, and a variety of tourist facilities.
The beach holds historical significance as it is near Maleme airport, the site of a significant resistance against the German forces in 1941, known as the Battle of Crete. This marked the first time in World War II where the local population fiercely resisted the German army, causing them heavy losses. Despite this, the Germans managed to gain control of a small area east of the Tavronitis river and the airport. Today, visitors can pay their respects at the German cemetery and other monuments dedicated to this historic event.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
