A never-ending feast for the senses!
Pictures of heavenly Balos Lagoon in Chania have featured in travel guides and glossies all over the world, as have those of the eternally beautiful Falarsana, one of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. And as for exotic Elafonisi, on the southwestern tip of Chania… seeing is believing.
ELAFONISI
20km from Elos
Elafonisi beach, situated on an island-lagoon in southwestern Crete, wows its visitors with exotic blues, whites & pinks during an unforgettable day out at the beach.
When it comes to bucket-list swimming spots in Crete, Elafonisi Beach makes quite a case for being right at the top. On some days it’s connected to the coastline of southwestern Crete, & on others it’s an island you can easily wade to through knee-deep water. One way or another, you’ll find an exotic paradise of fine white and pink sand (coloured by crushed shells), shallow turquoise water and gorgeous little coves.
While the organised mainland side of Elafonisi beach can get busy during the peak season, you can easily find yourself a hidden bay to lie in or wallow in the shallows. The sand extends for some distance along the 1km coastline, with the small church of Agia Irini and a lighthouse at the far end.
It’s safe for swimming & snorkelling and has been awarded a Blue Flag for environmental cleanliness. Water sports are popular where the lagoon widens. But mostly, spending a day at Elafonisi beach is about relaxing and enjoying a beautiful landscape. Your kids (and Instagram) won’t stop thanking you.
BALOS
35km from Elos
Balos beach in Chania captures your heart twice over: Once with a heart-stopping view and then from up close as a dream swimming spot on the northwestern tip of Crete.
A day trip to Balos beach in Crete
Situated by the northwestern Gramvousa peninsula, Balos should be inked in on everyone’s wish-list when they visit Crete.
SEE MOREIt’s hard to know what’s more impressive: The magical blend of colours that greets you as you approach Balos from above, or the experience of wading into the still waters of the lagoon, surrounded by white sand with shimmering flecks of pink from crushed shells. One way or another, Balos is a beach that has rightly become a landmark of Europe as much as it has of Crete.
The exotic greens and blues of the water, the sweeping sandbanks and backdrop of Cape Tigani, and all the wild beauty of a Natura 2000-protected area… It’s an Instagrammer’s dream – especially from the viewpoint on your way down to the beach.
The area supports rare species of flora and fauna, including birds such as Eleonora falcons, shags and cormorants nesting in nearby caves. Just please tread carefully so as not to disrupt the animals. The wider area also offers shelter to the Mediterranean monk seal and the caretta caretta sea turtle.
Balos Beach
The water is perfect for snorkelling at the boundaries of the lagoon, where it gets a bit deeper. And don’t forget to explore. You can stroll across the peninsula to the shrub-covered Cape Tigani, narrowly connected to the mainland, and climb to the chapel of Agios Pantes. The sunset view from here is fantastic.
Falasarna
36km from Elos
Found on the west coast (as many of the best beaches in Crete are), this is the all-inclusive of beaches in Chania, with a wide array of water sports (jet-ski, SUP, windsurf) to keep the kids & adults happy.
Essentially an assortment of one big and some smaller sandy beaches, Falasarna beach benefits from big waves when it’s windy (it’s more suited to families on calmer days) and some of the clearest water you’ll see. Sunset cocktails will never taste as good.
How much heaven can you stand?
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