Platanias beach
Platanias is located on the northwest coast of Crete, around 10 km west of Chania. Together with the neighbouring resorts of Agia Marina and Gerani, Platanias forms part of the popular Chania coast, one of the most visited holiday areas in Crete.
The resort is best known for its long sandy beach, many shops and lively atmosphere. You’ll find also plenty of good hotels in Platanias, and most of them are close to the beach. For families, we recommend the Minoa Palace Resort, which has a reputation for being the best hotel in Platanias.
Platanias beach in general
Platanias has a long sandy beach that stretches along the whole resort and continues towards Agia Marina in the east and Gerani in the west. The beach consists mainly of coarse sand, mixed with pebbles in some places, especially close to the waterline.
The water is clear and inviting, and there are beautiful views of the island of Agioi Theodoroi, home to the famous Cretan wild goats known as Kri-Kri. We joined a boat trip from the small harbour in Platanias, where we swam and snorkelled in the little bay in front of Agioi Theodoroi.
The beach in Platanias has all the facilities you would expect from a modern holiday resort, including sun loungers, parasols, showers and toilets.
Child-friendliness
Platanias is generally a good beach for families with children. There is plenty of space to play in the sand, but the water becomes deep relatively quickly, so younger children need a little extra supervision.
Water sports activities
There is a wide range of water sports activities on the beach in Platanias. Jet skiing, banana boat rides and sea kayaking are among the most popular options.
Beach restaurants
Along the beach, you will find a large selection of restaurants, cafés and beach bars. The choice ranges from traditional Greek tavernas to places with a more international menu, and in several of them you can enjoy lunch with views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Platanias holiday resort
Platanias is the second-largest holiday resort on the Chania coast, and its lively atmosphere makes it popular with both families and couples. The town has a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafés, and the modern Olea Shopping Center is the largest shopping centre on the whole Chania coast.
From Platanias, there are many opportunities to explore other parts of Crete. A popular excursion is to the lagoon beach of Balos on the Gramvousa peninsula, which is among the most beautiful beaches in Crete. For families with children, we highly recommend Limnoupolis Water Park, while couples can enjoy a romantic day in Chania’s charming old town.
Watch our video from Platanias
Platanias map
Most of Platanias is located west of the small harbour, which can be seen on the map. To the west, the beach continues towards Gerani, while Agia Marina lies to the east. Chania is located around 10 km east of Platanias.
