Sandy beaches

Maleme Beach

Platanias, Chania · Free

Directions

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

Organised

Partly organised

Characteristics

Good for

Family friendly

Facilities

Access

Step-free access

About

A long, easy beach west of Chania with tavernas across the road.

Maleme is a peaceful stretch of sand and pebbles facing open blue water. Most of the beach is free, and the tavernas and cafes across the road rent out sunbeds and umbrellas. Maleme is also known for the airfield where the Battle of Crete began in 1941.

Maleme played a key role in the Battle of Crete in May 1941. German paratroopers captured the airfield here, which turned the battle in their favour. On the hill above the beach, the German war cemetery holds more than 4,000 graves and is a quiet place for reflection.

The beach itself is long and easy-going, a mix of sand and pebbles with open blue water. Most of it is free, and there are tavernas and cafes across the road. It's quieter than Platanias and Agia Marina further east, but still close to Chania.

Around Platanias

North coast, on the Cretan Sea
Nearest town: Chania, about 20 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 36 km by road

The west of Crete is the island at its most dramatic. Chania has the most beautiful Venetian old town on Crete, wrapped around a harbour with a lighthouse and a domed mosque. In the evening the narrow lanes of Splantzia and the old Jewish quarter fill up with tavernas and small bars. More about Chania