Gerani is a charming village situated on the northwestern coast of Crete, located between Platanias and Maleme, and easily accessible from the Old National Road and the new national road. The village is spread out along the coast, with the new part of the village, Kato Gerani, located along the beach and the old Gerani, Palaio Gerani, further inland. The village is 14 km west of Chania and has a small river running through it.
Gerani is a great option for those looking for a peaceful vacation spot. Although it is not as developed for tourism as Platanias, Gerani offers a variety of accommodation options, including big hotels and small family-run businesses renting rooms, studios, and apartments. There are also several taverns, cafes, supermarkets, a bakery, a butcher shop, a hairdresser/barber, a pharmacy, and a petrol station in Kato Gerani. Additionally, there is a regular bus service to Chania and Kolimbari for those who want to explore beyond the village.
The beach in Gerani is a mix of coarse sand and pebbles, with the former covering most of the expanse and the latter restricted to the waterline and a few meters inwards. It is recommended to wear bathing shoes due to this. There are sections of the beach where visitors can rent sun beds, parasols, showers, and changing facilities. During busier seasons, a lifeguard is stationed at the busiest area of the shore. While there are a few restaurants along the beach, most visitors prefer to eat at their hotels.
For those who want to explore the surrounding areas, Gerani has a regular bus service to Platanias, which has sandy beaches and amenities such as doctors, banks, chemists, supermarkets, bakeries, and tavernas. It is also possible to walk two kilometers along the road or the beach. Chania town is a 20-minute drive away, and the international airport is about 40 minutes away.
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.
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€162
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Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, Quiet Villa Aviana, garden, heated pool, BBQ,jacuzzi is situated in Gerani Chanion. It has a garden, pool views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The 4-bedroom villa features a living room with a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and oven, and 2 bathrooms with hot tub. Towels and bed linen are available in the villa.
A car rental service is available at the villa.
Maleme Beach is less than 1 km from Quiet Villa Aviana, garden, heated pool, BBQ,jacuzzi, while Gerani Beach is a 14-minute walk from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 27 km from the accommodation.
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€575
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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.
Situated in Gerani Chanion, 200 metres from Maleme Beach, Myrion Beach Resort & Spa – Adults Only features accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness centre and a garden. This 5-star hotel offers a shared lounge, room service and free WiFi. The hotel provides an indoor pool, evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk.
All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Complete with a private bathroom fitted with a shower and free toiletries, the rooms at Myrion Beach Resort & Spa – Adults Only have a flat-screen TV and air conditioning, and certain rooms have a terrace. At the accommodation rooms include bed linen and towels.
The daily breakfast offers American, vegetarian or vegan options. At Myrion Beach Resort & Spa – Adults Only you will find a restaurant serving Greek, Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Vegetarian, dairy-free and vegan options can also be requested.
Gerani Beach is less than 1 km from the hotel, while Platanias Beach is 2.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International Airport, 28 km from Myrion Beach Resort & Spa – Adults Only.
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.
Set 20 metres from Gerani Beach, Villa Gerani offers free bikes, a bar and air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi.
Featuring a kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, each unit also comes with a satellite flat-screen TV, ironing facilities, desk and a seating area with a sofa. There is a private bathroom with shower and a hairdryer in each unit, along with free toiletries.
A garden, barbecue and a terrace are offered at the apartment.
Maleme Beach is 700 metres from Villa Gerani, while Platanias Beach is 2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Chania International, 29 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
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€225
/night
This is a Paint and Wine Event at Manousakis Winery. It costs €60, and includes:
•Tour of the beautiful winery
•Tasting of 5 different Manousakis Wines
•Rusks and Olive Oil
•Step by step Painting related to the Winery
• All Paint Materials are provided and you’ll take home your painting on canvas / canvas paper.
Transport to and from the winery is also provided and food from the Winery’s restaurant can be purchased.
This trip runs from Chania to Manousakis winery at Vatolakkos for a guided tour of the facilities and a tasting of five wines, served with Cretan rusks and the winery’s own olive oil. Manousakis is a family producer in the hills south of the city, and the whole thing takes 3 hours including the drive out and back. Uncharted Escapes runs it in small vehicles from €59, with a 4.31 rating across 41 reviews.
The trip is a drive, a tour and a tasting, with a private table set aside for your group. Three parts make it up.
First is the pick-up and the drive through the countryside to Vatolakkos, with the escort-driver giving commentary on the villages you pass. Second is the guided walk around the winery’s facilities, covering how the wine is actually made rather than just where it is stored. Third is the tasting: five wines at your own table, served with traditional Cretan rusks and the estate’s olive oil.
Departure times are flexible and set to suit the group, and the vehicle carries 5, 7 or 9 depending on the booking.
The route runs inland from the coast into the Chania hinterland.
The €59 covers the vehicle, the driver, the winery tour and five wines.
Included:
Not included:
A minimum of 2 people is needed for the vehicle to run.
We recommend this as the sensible way to visit a Cretan winery, for the obvious reason: you cannot taste five wines and then drive back down a mountain road. At €59 including transfers from your door, that problem is solved, and reviewers rate the transport a flat 5.0 out of 5, the highest dimension score on the tour.
The drivers are the reason. Reviewers name them individually, Stellios, George, Jon, and describe warm, knowledgeable commentary on the short drive, with one American group’s guide stopping at a couple of churches along the way. A Danish reviewer said their driver told them a lot about Crete on the journey. An Australian guest praised both the driver and the host at the winery itself.
Several reviewers like the format: short, to the point, good wine, relaxed atmosphere.
Now the honest part, and this tour has two reviews at three stars or below in a sample of eight, which is a high proportion.
Value for money scores 3.9 out of 5, the weakest dimension, and a German reviewer rating it two stars said plainly it was not worth it. Their transport and support scored 10 out of 10, the complaint was entirely about the winery end of the experience.
There are no vineyards on the visit. A British reviewer rating it three stars found the tour interesting but very quick, with no actual vineyards to see. That is worth knowing: this is a winery facility tour and a tasting, not a walk through the vines.
Nothing to eat comes with the wine. Meals and snacks are explicitly excluded beyond the rusks and olive oil served with the tasting, so five wines land on a fairly empty stomach unless you eat beforehand.
If you want the vineyards, the same estate is also reached by a private 4×4 tour through the vines with a full meal, at considerably more per head.
Eat before you go, book for two or more, and ask the driver for the village commentary.
Free pick-up covers a 5-kilometre radius of Chania city centre and the coastline out to Kolymbari. Provide your hotel name at booking; if the vehicle cannot reach your address you are emailed the nearest pick-up point.
Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a camera and cash. No food, drink or smoking is permitted in the vehicle, and children under 18 cannot consume wine. Timings vary with group size and weather.
The trip runs 3 hours in total, including the drive from Chania and back.
The tasting covers five wines, served with traditional Cretan rusks and the estate’s own olive oil.
No, the visit covers the winery facilities rather than the vines. One reviewer specifically noted there were no actual vineyards to see.
Meals and snacks are not included beyond the rusks and olive oil served with the tasting, so eat beforehand.
Pick-up is free within 5 km of Chania city centre and along the coast to Kolymbari.
A minimum of 2 people is required for the vehicle to run.
Check dates and prices for the Manousakis winery tour with wine tasting.
This private tour drives a 4×4 off-road up the Vatolakkos hills to 660 metres, then finishes at Manousakis winery with a five-wine tasting and a full meal. Manousakis is one of the established producers of the Chania hinterland, and the route up to it takes the dirt tracks through the vineyards rather than the asphalt road. Uncharted Escapes runs it over 5 hours from €480 per vehicle, with a 4.9 rating across 5 reviews.
The day climbs, tastes and descends, with your own vehicle and driver throughout. Three stages fill the 5 hours.
First is the off-road ascent through the Vatolakkos hills, gaining 660 metres on rough track, with the northern Crete landscape and the vineyards opening up as you climb. Second is the winery: a tour of the premises explaining how the wines are made, then a five-wine tasting served with a full Cretan meal and two glasses of the wine of your choice. Third is the return, taken on the easy asphalt route back to your accommodation.
Vehicles are 5 or 7-seaters driven by multilingual escort-drivers, and the price covers the vehicle rather than the head.
The route runs inland and uphill from the Chania coast.
The fare covers the vehicle, the driver, the winery and the meal.
Included:
Not included:
Prices are per vehicle, for 4 or 6 passengers depending on the car.
We recommend this for groups who want the winery without the coach, and the off-road climb is what makes it more than a transfer. Most winery visits in the Chania hinterland arrive on asphalt at the front gate. This one goes up through the vineyards themselves to 660 metres, which turns the drive into the first half of the experience rather than the dead time before it.
The reviews that exist describe the driver as the reason it works. A Canadian couple called their guide phenomenal and passionate about Cretan culture and mentality, and said they were constantly impressed. A Finnish reviewer described the driver enthusiastically explaining everything of interest along the way. That matches what we would expect from a private vehicle with one escort-driver rather than a group guide.
Three things to be straight about, and the first is the most important.
The review base is tiny. Five ratings is not enough to judge an operator, and a 4.9 across 5 tells you almost nothing statistically. We would treat this as promising rather than proven, and anyone booking should know that.
One reviewer flagged a wait at the winery. The Finnish guest who rated it four stars praised the driver but said the winery staff served one group so long that the others waited. That is a single account, but it is the only substantive criticism in the record and it points at the winery rather than the tour operator.
The price is per vehicle and it is high. €480 for a 5 or 7-seater works out at €80 to €120 per person if you fill it, and considerably more if you do not. This only makes sense as a group booking.
Fill the vehicle, wear real shoes, and bring cash for extra wine.
Provide your hotel name when booking; if the vehicle cannot reach your address you are emailed the nearest pick-up point. Timings vary with group size and weather.
Bring comfortable closed shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, a jacket and cash. High heels, sandals and flip-flops are not permitted, and no food, drink or smoking is allowed in the vehicle. Children under 18 cannot consume wine.
The tour runs 5 hours, covering the off-road ascent, the winery visit, the tasting and the meal.
The price is per vehicle, covering 4 or 6 passengers depending on whether you book the 5 or 7-seater.
The tasting covers five wines, followed by a full meal served with two further glasses of your choice.
The route climbs to 660 metres through the Vatolakkos hills, with views over the vineyards and the north Crete coast.
Wear closed comfortable shoes. High heels, sandals and flip-flops are not permitted for the off-road section.
A full Cretan meal is included, served at the winery alongside the five-wine tasting.
Check dates and prices for the private Manousakis winery and vineyard tour.
Tour a boutique winery in Vatolakkos and admire views of rolling vineyards in the countryside. Let the winemakers reveal the winemaking process to you. Savor a hand-picked selection of regional wines paired with some local snacks.
Meet the staff and go down to see where the wine is stored in the cellar. Listen as you hear about how grape varieties are selected and cultivated following strict guidelines set by a an international team from France, the United States, and Greece.
See the verdant vineyards where varieties of Rodanos of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Roussanne grapes are ripened to perfection. Head to the garden to satisfy your palate with 5 different wines that are accompanied by a simple traditional Cretan flatbread, sea salt, and olive oil.
This trip combines entry to Aqua Creta Limnoupolis with a shared hotel transfer from Chania or Rethymno and a two-course lunch. Limnoupolis sits inland from Chania with the White Mountains visible from the sunbeds, and the package covers the gate, a sunbed and one of three set meals. Cretanholidays runs it from €40, and the transfer is optional at booking. The trip holds a 3.72 rating across 33 reviews, the lowest score of any experience we list.
The day is a shared coach run to the park and back, with the hours in between unstructured. Three elements make up the package.
First is the transfer, which collects guests from multiple points across the Rethymno and Chania areas before continuing to the park, so your journey time depends on where you sit in the daily route, not on the distance. Second is the park itself, with freefall slides, a black hole tunnel, a lazy river and a large pool area, plus sunbeds looking towards the White Mountains. Third is lunch, chosen from three fixed meals.
The three meal options are a burger, cheeseburger or hot dog with fries and one scoop of ice cream; a slice of pizza with salad and ice cream; or spaghetti Neapolitan with ice cream. Lunch is not available for children under 2.
The transfer runs the north coast between the two western cities and turns inland to the park.
The price covers transport, entry, a sunbed and one meal, and it excludes every drink.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend Limnoupolis with a caveat attached, and we would rather say so than sell it hard. It is a genuinely pleasant mid-sized water park in a good setting, and the reviews agree on its real strength: it does not get crowded. Guests visiting in peak July and August repeatedly describe short queues and a relaxed atmosphere, which is not what you get at the larger parks on the Heraklion side. If a calm day matters more to you than the biggest slide list, that trade is worth making.
Reviewers also consistently praise the staff and the guides, with one naming their guide directly, and several describe the included lunch as better than they expected.
Now the honest part, because this trip scores 3.72 out of 5 and three specific things drag it there.
The transfer is the weakest element, at 3.6 out of 5. Because the coach collects from many points across two cities before heading inland, journey times vary widely, one reviewer travelling from Rethymno reported over two hours each way, and another was surprised to end up with only 4.5 hours actually inside the park. If you are at the Rethymno end of the route, budget accordingly.
Value for money also scores 3.6. Reviewers point out that drinks cost €3.50 at the bar but €1.50 at the shop by the entrance, that food is priced up, and that tickets bought directly on the park’s own website work out cheaper than the package. One reviewer said plainly they would not bother with the lunch inclusion again.
The park is small. Several reviewers describe it as fine but not large, with one noting there are not always enough rings or mats when it gets busy. And one guest rating the day three stars described a dispute at the lunch counter over whether ice cream was included, even though it is listed.
Buy your drinks at the shop, take the Chania pick-up if you have the choice, and check the direct price before you book the package.
The transfer is shared, and guests are collected from several points across both the Rethymno and Chania areas before the coach continues to the park. Transfer times vary with your pick-up point and the daily route, this is the detail that decides how long your day at the park actually is.
Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Lunch is not available for children under 2, and the transfer is optional, so you can book entry and lunch alone if you have a car.
Time in the park varies with the coach route, and one reviewer reported 4.5 hours inside after a long shared transfer.
One two-course meal is included, chosen from a burger and fries, a pizza slice with salad, or spaghetti, each with a scoop of ice cream. Drinks are not included.
Reviewers travelling from Rethymno report over two hours each way, because the coach collects from multiple points across two cities before heading inland.
Limnoupolis is mid-sized rather than large. Reviewers describe short queues even in peak season but also note the park is small and can run short of rings and mats.
Yes, the transfer is optional at booking, which suits anyone with a hire car who wants only entry, a sunbed and lunch.
Value scores 3.6 out of 5, its joint-weakest mark. Reviewers flag drink pricing at the bar and note the park’s own website can be cheaper than the package.
Check dates and prices for the Limnoupolis water park trip from Chania or Rethymno.
This cruise leaves Chania’s Old Venetian Harbour and spends 4.5 hours at two islands west of the city: Agioi Theodoroi, a protected reserve for the Cretan wild goat, and Lazaretta, with its two sandy beaches. Manos Cruises runs the Ferryman boat from Akti Enoseos, prices start at €38, and the tour holds a 4.91 rating across 799 reviews with a perfect 5.0 on guiding, transport and value alike.
The boat heads west from the Old Port, makes three stops and returns past the harbour for the view back at the city. Each stop has a distinct purpose.
First comes a 20-minute anchorage off Agioi Theodoroi beside the wreck of a German aircraft from the Second World War, destroyed and lying in clear water. Swimmers go in to see it, this stop is for swimmers only, with no landing. Second, the boat moves to a small gulf on the same island for around 30 minutes, where the kri-kri goats are often visible on the slopes. Third is Lazaretta, a small island opposite Nea Chora, where two sandy beaches and clear water make the longest stop of the trip.
The return leg runs past the Venetian harbour, giving you the lighthouse and the walled fortresses from the water. Homemade raki is poured on the way.
The route covers two islets off the Chania coast, both within sight of the city.
The fare covers the boat, the guiding, snorkelling kit and a light snack, and it leaves out towels and hotel transfer.
Included:
Not included:
Oversize luggage and large bags are not allowed on board.
We recommend this cruise as the easiest way to get off the Chania seafront and into clear water without committing a whole day. We rate the stretch west of the Old Port as underused, most visitors look east towards the beaches and never notice that two islands sit twenty minutes from the harbour wall. The wreck stop in particular is the kind of thing you normally need a dive licence to see, and here it is a swim.
The review record is the strongest argument. A 4.91 average across 799 reviews with 5.0 on every measured dimension is close to the ceiling. Reading through them, three things recur. The crew are named personally, Manos and Lucas come up repeatedly, and described as attentive rather than merely competent. The history commentary is mentioned as often as the swimming, so the guiding is real rather than decorative. And several people describe booking it last-minute as a filler and rating it the day of their trip.
Two honest caveats.
GetYourGuide’s own summary of the verified reviews says the included lunch is basic and that travellers would like more substantial snacks and drinking water. The inclusion list is a sandwich, a juice and raki, so treat it as a snack, eat beforehand and bring your own water.
The second is the swimming itself. The first stop has no landing at all, it is a swim-only anchorage, and the second beach is reachable only by swimming or by the tender. One reviewer flagged sea urchins between the rocks. Confident swimmers get the most out of this trip; hesitant ones will spend it on deck.
Bring your own water, wear something on your feet in the water, and take the morning sailing for the calmest sea.
The boat leaves from Akti Enoseos 5 in Chania, on the Old Port waterfront. Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear and a towel.
Two points about access matter when you choose this trip. The first stop at Agioi Theodoroi is for swimmers only, and the second stop’s beach can be reached only by swimming or by taking the tender boat. The trip is flagged as likely to sell out, so book ahead in July and August.
The cruise runs 4.5 hours, covering two stops at Agioi Theodoroi and a longer stop at Lazaretta.
Yes, by swimming to it. The boat anchors for about 20 minutes beside a destroyed German aircraft from the Second World War, in water clear enough to see it from the surface.
A sandwich, juice and raki are included. GetYourGuide’s review summary notes travellers would prefer more substantial snacks, so eat before you board.
Non-swimmers see the islands but not the stops. The first anchorage has no landing, and the second beach is reached only by swimming or by tender boat.
The boat departs Akti Enoseos 5 in Chania, on the Old Venetian Harbour waterfront.
Sightings are likely rather than certain. Agioi Theodoroi is a protected reserve for the endangered Cretan goat, and the second stop is positioned where they are most often visible.
Check dates and prices for the Chania boat cruise to Agioi Theodoroi and Lazaretta.
Gerani beach is a long, quiet stretch of sand and fine pebbles on the north coast of western Crete, about 13 kilometres west of Chania between Maleme and Platanias. Gerani is one of the widest and calmest beaches near the city, and its sand is a protected nesting ground for Caretta caretta sea turtles from May to September. The beach has sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and beach bars along part of its length, while long unorganised stretches stay peaceful even in high summer.
Gerani beach lies on the north coast of western Crete, about 13 kilometres west of Chania city, between the resorts of Maleme and Platanias. The beach belongs to the village of Gerani in the Platanias municipality, set in a green valley of olive and citrus groves that were once the area’s main income before tourism. A small river, the Keritis, separates Gerani from busier Platanias just to the east, and you can walk across the sand between the two. Because the beach faces open sea on the north coast, it is more exposed to the wind than the sheltered coves closer to Chania.
Gerani beach is a mix of sand and fine pebbles, with softer sand in the upper part and small pebbles where the shore meets the water. The beach runs for roughly 2.5 kilometres and is very wide, so there is room to spread out even when the organised section is busy. The sea is clear, but it deepens fairly quickly a few steps in, and it turns wavy when the north wind picks up, so water shoes and care with young swimmers both help. Several tamarisk trees behind the sand give natural shade, and more trees mark the quieter western end towards Maleme.
Gerani beach is a nesting ground for the endangered Caretta caretta loggerhead sea turtle, which lays its eggs in the sand from May to September. The nests are not always marked, so keep clear of the soft dry sand and the low dunes at the back of the beach, especially at night. Do not dig in the sand or push umbrella poles deep near the dunes during the nesting months, because a single nest sits just below the surface. Stay near the water’s edge in the evening, and the turtles and their eggs stay undisturbed.
Gerani beach is partly organised, with paid sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and beach bars along the central stretch and open, unorganised sand on either side. A lifeguard watches the organised part in the summer season, and there are water sports along this coast, with more of them at neighbouring Platanias. The beach suits families who want space and quiet, though the water deepens quickly and can be choppy in the wind, so keep a close eye on small children. For a calmer swim on windy days, the sheltered beaches nearer Chania are a short drive east.
Gerani is a small, functional village rather than a resort strip, with a mini-market, a bakery, a pharmacy, a souvenir shop and a few tavernas near the beach. Platanias, about 1.7 kilometres east, adds many more restaurants, bars and water sports, and you can reach it on foot or by the local tourist train. Maleme, about 3.7 kilometres west, holds the German war cemetery and the wartime airfield from the 1941 Battle of Crete, while Agia Marina and its beach lie about 4.1 kilometres away. This makes Gerani a quiet base within easy reach of the livelier beach resorts on the Chania coast.
Gerani takes its name from an old method of drawing water from a well, using a wooden fork, a horizontal beam, a rope with a bucket at one end and a counterweight at the other. Some researchers link the site to ancient Kydonia and to a temple of the Cretan goddess Vritomartis, a local counterpart of Artemis. In 1867 the village saw a battle against Ottoman forces, in which Cretan rebels won before the Turks returned in reprisal. The Cretan novelist John Kondilakis began his teaching career here in 1885 and 1886, and the school where he taught still stands in Pano Gerani.
Reach Gerani beach from Chania in a few easy ways, whether or not you have a car:
Parking is easy along the access roads that lead down to the beach, so arriving by car is straightforward outside the busiest afternoon hours.
A day at Gerani beach is easy to combine with Platanias, Maleme and the other beaches west of Chania when you drive yourself, since the bus timetables thin out in the evening and the quiet coast rewards an early start. Having your own car lets you reach the wide, unorganised sand before the sunbeds fill, move on to a sheltered cove when the north wind rises, and carry beach gear and water shoes for the whole family. For the most flexible day along the Chania coast, book a car rental in Crete.
Gerani beach forms one link in a long bay that runs from Kolymbari in the west to the edge of Chania, so 7 more beaches lie within 9 kilometres of it. Pano Gerani, the older half of the village set inland, shares this same shoreline, and every beach below sits on the coast road that passes the village.
Gerani beach is on the north coast of western Crete, about 13 kilometres west of Chania city, between Maleme and Platanias. The beach belongs to the village of Gerani in the Platanias municipality and sits in a valley of olive and citrus groves.
Gerani beach is a mix of sand and fine pebbles, with softer sand in the upper part and small pebbles at the water’s edge. The beach is long and very wide, so there is plenty of open space to spread out.
No, the sea at Gerani beach deepens fairly quickly and often turns wavy when the north wind blows. The water is clear, but water shoes help on the pebbles, and swimmers should take care with children on windy days.
Yes, Gerani beach is a nesting ground for Caretta caretta loggerhead sea turtles from May to September. Keep clear of the soft dry sand and the dunes, and avoid digging near them, so the unmarked nests stay safe.
Gerani beach suits families who want a wide, quiet beach with room to spread out, and a lifeguard watches the organised stretch in summer. The water deepens quickly and can be choppy in the wind, so keep a close eye on young children.
7 beaches lie within 9 kilometres of Gerani beach. Platanias sits 1.7 kilometres east, Maleme 3.7 kilometres west, Agia Marina 4.1 kilometres east, Tavronitis 5.6 kilometres west, Stalos 5.8 kilometres east, Kalamaki 7.7 kilometres away and Rapaniana 8.1 kilometres west.
Agia Marina beach, 4.1 kilometres east of Gerani, stays sheltered on windy days because man-made stone piers break the swell. The water there is shallow and calm, and the beach carries a full row of sunbeds, umbrellas and water sports.
Reach Gerani beach from Chania by driving about 13 kilometres west along the coast road in 15 to 20 minutes, or by taking the Chania City Bus or KTEL coach that pass through the village. Chania International Airport is roughly a 35-minute drive away.
Yes, the central part of Gerani beach has paid sunbeds, umbrellas, showers and beach bars, while the stretches on either side stay open and unorganised. The beach itself is free to enter.
No, Gerani is a quiet family beach and is not a designated naturist beach. It has an organised section with sunbeds and beach bars, and long open stretches used by families and day visitors.
Platanias beach is a long, organised, Blue-Flag sandy beach on the north coast of Crete, 11 km west of Chania. Platanias beach lines the front of the Platanias resort, so sunbeds, beach bars and water sports stay a few steps from the sand, while the old village on the hillside behind looks out over the sea and the islet of Thodorou.
Platanias beach sits 11 km west of Chania city, on the north coast of western Crete. Platanias grew from a small hillside village into a lively suburb of Chania, and frequent buses from the city make it one of the easiest beaches to reach near Chania. The beach runs for about 2 km, starting at the edge of Agia Marina and reaching west to the mouth of the Keritis river.
Platanias beach is a long stretch of sand with small pebbles in parts. The water is clear and deepens fairly quickly over a partly rocky seabed, so it suits confident swimmers as well as families who stay near the shallower sections by the shore. The beach faces north, so afternoon winds can raise short waves, and mornings are usually the calmest time to swim. The western end near the Keritis river is quieter and less built-up, which gives swimmers more space away from the busiest stretch.
Platanias beach is well organised along most of its length. Platanias beach offers sunbeds and umbrellas, beach bars, snack bars, showers and lifeguards on duty in season. Much of the shore is free public beach where you can set your own spot, so the beach mixes organised sections with open stretches. On the east side of the local harbour, close to Agia Marina, several small man-made coves give sheltered spots for a swim.
Platanias beach offers a wide choice of water sports through the summer. Visitors can try jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, parasailing, banana-boat rides and beach volleyball along the organised sections. After dark, the nightclubs of Platanias fill with Greek and foreign visitors who dance until dawn, which has made the resort one of the main nightlife spots west of Chania.
Platanias beach is a nesting point for loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). The turtles nest on this coast from May to September, so keep clear of any marked nests and leave the dry sand undisturbed after dark. Tamarisk trees along parts of the beach give natural shade for hot afternoons.
The coast on either side of Platanias beach runs into several more sandy beaches, listed below by distance.
Platanias beach lies 11 km west of Chania on the north-coast road. Frequent buses run from Chania to Platanias through the season, the approach road is paved, and the beach has handicap-friendly access. A beach day here pairs well with the nearby beaches at Agia Marina, Stalos and Maleme and with the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete inland, and the easiest way to reach them on your own schedule is with a rental car, which you can compare on our car rental in Crete page.
Platanias beach is on the north coast of western Crete, 11 km west of Chania, on the stretch of coast that runs from Agia Marina to the Keritis river.
Platanias beach is 11 km west of Chania city, reached by a short drive or by the frequent bus from Chania to Platanias.
Yes. Platanias beach is a long sandy beach with small pebbles in parts, running about 2 km between Agia Marina and the Keritis river.
Yes. Families can use the shallower sections near parts of the shore, and lifeguards are on duty in season, though the water deepens fairly quickly and afternoon winds can bring short waves.
Platanias beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, beach bars, snack bars, showers and lifeguards, along with water sports and free public stretches where you can set your own spot.
Platanias beach offers jet skiing, stand-up paddleboarding, parasailing, banana-boat rides and beach volleyball along its organised sections in summer.
Take a bus from Chania on the frequent Platanias service, or drive 11 km west along the paved north-coast road, and a rental car also makes the nearby beaches at Gerani, Stalos and Maleme easier to reach.
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.
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.
The verdant Boriano canyon, more commonly referred to as Karanou Gorge, begins in the Boriana neighborhood of Karanou village and extends for 1800 meters until it merges with the Mavropiliotis River via an attractively laid out path. The trail features a dilapidated watermill, caves, and the entrances to the old iron ore quarries (locally referred to as the Averof quarries), along with a charcoal furnace and tunnels. The gorge runs parallel to the Kydoni Gorge, and it’s common for hikers to explore both gorges simultaneously.
In the mountainous region of Kydonia near Chania, nestled at the base of the White Mountains, you’ll find the picturesque Kydoni gorge. Named after the area, not the Greek word for “quince” which is also kydoni, this gorge is one of the most verdant in Crete, boasting lush vegetation with trees towering over twenty meters high. The journey begins in the village of Karanou, starting at the site of an ancient fountain. A downhill path takes you through a breathtaking centuries-old olive grove, past the church of Saint Demetrius (Agios Dimitrios) with its remnants of old frescoes, and finally to the stream bed. The greenery is abundant throughout the gorge, with sunlight only filtering through in a few places, making it a perfect spot for a cool walk on a hot, sunny day.
The trail that traverses the gorge is one of the most well-marked in Crete, with signs posted every 500 meters indicating the distance. The entire route is 2 km long, ending where the Kydoni stream meets the Platanias river tributary, Mavropiliotis, in the Mavra Pila area. The name Mavra Pila translates to “dark muddy soil” in the Cretan dialect, a fitting description for the blackish soil that turns into black mud when wet.
The trail continues from the end of the Kydoni gorge into the Boriano gorge, which runs parallel to Kydoni and originates from the Boriana neighborhood in Karanou. The Kydoni stream is typically dry throughout the year, only filling with water during the heavy rains of winter. Along the route, there are 2-3 small waterfalls, with the tallest one crossed by a charming wooden bridge that leads to a rock shelter adorned with small stalactites. The descent through Kydoni takes about an hour of hiking. Towards the bottom of the gorge, you’ll find two old trails leading to the nearby settlement of Skordalou.
The Rocca, Roka, Rocka, or Rokka Gorge, situated 32km west of Chania in the Kolymbari region, stretches for 2km from the village of Deliana to the village of Roka. The settlement features Trouli hill, which is home to the remnants of a Byzantine fortress.
Despite the ease of hiking through the gorge (typically a 2-hour trek), it can be challenging to traverse without getting wet during periods of water flow in the narrower sections. The gorge is adorned with numerous plane trees that provide a cool respite from the sun. The gorge’s vertical sides are incredibly tall and impressive at certain points. The main path follows the dry riverbed during the summer.
Upon exiting Roka gorge, you’ll encounter the Mesonisi settlement. Following a dirt road will lead you to Roka village and Trouli hill. You can climb up to the castle ruins for a breathtaking view of the surrounding areas, or unwind in the local coffee shop.
Positioned near the city of Chania, the Therisso Gorge (also known as Eleftherios Venizelos) is an awe-inspiring sight. This six-kilometre-long canyon is adorned with impressive vertical cliffs and lush greenery, rivalling any other gorge in the Chania region. Accessible by car, it’s worth combining a trip to the gorge with a visit to the historic village of Therisso, nestled at the foot of the White Mountains, just 15 kilometres from Chania. This village, steeped in history, offers an unforgettable experience to any visitor.
With a population of just over 100, the valiant village of Therisso has held a significant role in Crete’s modern history, mainly due to the resilience of its inhabitants against Turkish invasions. In 1866, the village was burnt by Mustapha Pasha Naili, forcing many, including the mother of future Greek Prime Minister, Eleftherios Venizelos, to relocate to Kythera and the Peloponnese. Therisso gained further historical prominence in 1905 when Eleftherios Venizelos and his allies initiated a revolution against the autocratic rule of Prince George, imposed by the Great Powers, charting a course for Crete’s union with Greece. Notably, the heroic Halides brothers, key figures in the 1821 revolution, also hailed from Therisso.
Gerani is a small village located on the northwestern coast of Crete, between Platanias and Maleme, right off of the Old National Road.
Gerani is located 14 km west of Chania.
Gerani is spread out along the coast, with the new part of the village located along the beach (called Kato Gerani, or lower Gerani) and the old Gerani (Palaio Gerani) further inland.
In Kato Gerani, you’ll find a few taverns and cafes, supermarkets, a bakery, a butcher shop, hairdresser/barber, a pharmacy, and a petrol station. There is also a regular bus service running to Chania and Kolimbari.
The beach in Gerani is composed of both coarse sand and pebbles, with the former type covering most of the expanse and the latter restricted to the waterline and a few meters inwards into clearer waters. It is recommended to wear bathing shoes. There are also sections where one can rent sun beds and parasols, as well as showers and changing facilities.
There are a few restaurants along the beach in Gerani, but most of the visitors live in Gerani and eat at their hotels.
Yes, there is a regular bus service from Gerani to Platanias, which has sandy beaches and amenities including doctors, banks, chemists, supermarkets, bakeries, tavernas, etc.
Chania town is a 20-minute drive from Gerani.
The international airport is about 40 minutes from Gerani.
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