The major highlight of most vacations is the beach. A lot of people plan their holiday according to it as they wish to have a lot of fun, come back with sun-kissed skin, and also participate in a number of adventure sports. If you are traveling to Crete, then you must visit Chania in your rental car as it is a beach lover’s paradise.
Elafonisi
Elafonisi is one of the most popular beaches in Chania and there’s a reason for that. The beach is known for its pink carpet of shells on the seabed and the beach, crystal clear turquoise waters, and golden sand. The scenic beauty will mesmerize your senses, however, getting here can be a bit tiring. If you are driving in your rental car then surely you will enjoy the convenience that other realize at a later stage. The beach has umbrellas and sunbeds, giving you a perfect spot to get some sun and a flawless tan.
Paleochora
Called the bride of the Libyan Sea, Paleochora is 70 km from the city of Chania, featuring a number of beaches, responding to all tastes. Here, there are two main beaches, i.e. Pahia Ammos and Chalikia, attracting many surfers as the winds in the region form quite appropriate waves for surfing! You can drive along the National Road Chania – Kissamos in your rental car and follow the signs to reach Paleochora.
Glyka Nera
One of the isolated Chania beaches, ‘Glyka Nera’ means ‘Sweet Waters’. Its name comes from the freshwater flowing from the mountains and ending by the sea. The beach gets the much-needed shade from the cliff, hanging over the beach, while the turquoise waters invite you to take a refreshing dive. If you are in a mood of a hike, take the rough trail from Sfakia or Loutro to reach this secluded beach.
Agia Marina
Locals just love Agia Marina and as soon as the temperature starts rising, the beach gets “flooded” with young people dancing in the rhythm of the loud music from the beach bars. If you love music, looking for a young vibrant crowd, then this beach should be on your list. The bars here are ideal for a night out, which you can easily combine with night swimming. Sounds interesting, right? It is just 15 minutes from the center of Chania, which you can easily cover in your rental car.
Balos
Balos’s deep blue shallow water is mixed with the sky and the rocky formations, breathtaking enough to make you fall in love with this place at the very first sight. There are daily cruises that can take you to this place. However, if you aren’t in the mood for a cruise but want to get here by road than follow the National Road Chania-Kissamos for 46 km in your rental car. From here, you will have to take a boat to get to this stunning beach. Here, you can visit the Venetian castle (1579-1584), countless cacti and then you can enjoy the beauty of this beach.