Aghii Apostoli: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Aghii Apostoli is a beach suburb on the north coast of western Crete, about 3 km west of Chania city. The name, also written Agii Apostoli and translated as the Holy Apostles, comes from the chapel that stands on the small peninsula at the western end of the first beach. Two sandy beaches sit side by side here, and a park on the peninsula separates them from the longer run of shoreline that continues west towards Kalamaki.

Chania (CHQ) is the nearest airport to the area. Aghii Apostoli forms part of the Kato Daratso strip, in the municipal unit of Nea Kydonia, whose beaches are Glaros, Iguana, Chrissi Akti and Agioi Apostoloi and whose shore carries organised sand and holiday accommodation.

Things to do in Aghii Apostoli

Six outings sit within 4 km of Aghii Apostoli, listed below from nearest to furthest.

1. Swim in the two coves. The first beach has soft sand, full amenities and ample parking, and a small peninsula to its west shields it from the wind. A short way east a second semicircular cove holds green-hued water and fine sand between striking rock formations.
2. Walk the peninsula park, which occupies the headland between the two beaches and makes an easy stroll. The chapel of the Holy Apostles that gives the area its name stands on the same cape.
3. Move on to Glaros beach, where the shore of Kato Daratsos begins 200 m west, with fine sand and tamarisk trees for anyone who would rather have shade than a rented umbrella. Glaros faces the north wind, so on rough days people move back to the sheltered bays here.
4. Spend a day at Kalamaki, the organised resort beach 700 m west, which marks the far end of the long shoreline that starts at Aghii Apostoli. Kalamaki has umbrellas, showers, lifeguards, dining, beach bars and water sports, plus a tiny secluded cove at its western edge.
5. Take children to Chrissi Akti. Golden Beach sits 1.3 km away in the same area and holds a Blue Flag, with shallow, clear water that stays calm on most days. Sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and cafes line Chrissi Akti, and the walk into Chania from there is short.
6. Explore Chania old town. The city centre lies 3.8 km east, and its harbour, lighthouse and Venetian and Turkish monuments sit inside the old town. Chania is the capital of the prefecture and the second most populated city on Crete.

The beaches of Aghii Apostoli

Aghii Apostoli has 2 beaches of its own, and 3 more lie within 1.5 km along the same coast. The pair at the centre are the sheltered ones, because the peninsula and its rock formations break the swell that reaches the open sand on either side.

• Agii Apostoli covers the two home beaches, one with soft sand, full amenities and parking, the other a semicircular cove with green water, sand and rock formations at its edges.
• Glaros lies 200 m west, the beachfront of the village of Kato Daratsos in the Makris Tihos area, backed by tamarisks and exposed to the northern winds.
• Kalamaki sits 700 m west, the beach of Galatas village, fully organised and set against a fertile plain of citrus and olive groves.
• Chrissi Akti is 1.3 km away, named for its fine golden sand and one of the closest good beaches to Chania town.

Lazaretta islet lies 2.4 km away, across the water from Nea Chora. The Venetians used the islet as a leprosarium in the 17th century, and the Turks demolished its buildings in 1645 to mount a cannon against the harbour fortress of Chania.

Where to eat in Aghii Apostoli

Eating options stand within 600 m of the beaches, so most of them are reachable on foot from the sand.

• Restaurant Orexi stands 100 m from the beach.
• Kuzina Galerie serves traditional cooking 200 m away.
• Siroccos Restaurant sits 200 m away.
• Golden Bay Bar Restaurant works as both bar and restaurant, 300 m away.
• Talos Restaurant lies 400 m away, the furthest of this group.

Getting to Aghii Apostoli

Aghii Apostoli is reached from Chania by following the coast west, and the beaches start about 3 km out from the city. The resort strip of Kato Daratso, 400 m away, carries on along the same shoreline with its organised beaches and holiday accommodation, and both belong to the municipal unit of Nea Kydonia.

Chania (CHQ) is the airport for this coast. Further along the shoreline, Platanias lies 6.1 km away and Souda 9.3 km away, which puts several bases within a short drive of the same beaches.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Aghii Apostoli in Crete?

Aghii Apostoli lies about 3 km west of Chania city, on the north coast of western Crete. The area sits between Chrissi Akti to the east and Glaros beach to the west, in the municipal unit of Nea Kydonia.

Does Aghii Apostoli have a beach?

Aghii Apostoli has 2 sandy beaches, set next to each other. The first has full amenities and parking, and the second is a semicircular cove with green water and rock formations at each end.

Is the sea at Aghii Apostoli calm?

The bays here are the sheltered ones on this stretch of coast. A small peninsula blocks the wind on the western side, and swimmers at neighbouring Glaros, which is exposed to the northern winds, move to these bays when the waves get too high.

How far is Aghii Apostoli from Chania town?

Aghii Apostoli is about 3 km west of Chania town. Chrissi Akti, the beach 1.3 km along the same shore, sits roughly 2.5 km from the city and is close enough to reach on foot as well as by road.

What is there to do near Aghii Apostoli away from the beach?

The old town of Chania, 3.8 km east, is the main outing away from the sand. Inland, the Therisso Gorge runs for six kilometres between vertical cliffs and can be combined with the village of Therisso, 15 km from Chania, while the Cyclamen Gorge drops from the Aletrouvari settlement at 300 m to Vandes at 50 m.