Kalathas Beach — Attraction in Municipality of Chania

Great sandy beach, the water is warm and shallow for 70 meters, the sea bottom is made of the finest sand. It was a good choice on a windy day on the north coast because this beach is well protected from the winds and there are no waves. Set of 2 sunbeds and umbrella costs 10 euros. There are toilets, showers and changing rooms. You can park on the road on both sides but it can be tricky if you come in the afternoon. Overall great beach. There is a small island right in front of the beach, easy to reach by an average swimmer. Edit: After two days with 10€ charge for ANY two sunbeds and umbrella, the old man who collects the money raised the price to 15€, explaining that blue umbrellas are still 10€ but bamboo style umbrellas offer more shadow and that price is higher. I am talking about the far left part of the beach (view from the road). I find this expensive comparing to many other Cretan beaches ... Edit Nr.2: We visited this beach this summer too (July 2024). The water was great, pretty warm but there was more rubbish compared to the previous year - papers, cans were on the beach and in the water. The old man who collects money for parasols and sunneds raised the price, now the blue umbrella costs 15€ and a bigger bamboo style costs 20€, which is quite expensive on Crete. I witnessed an amazing scene this year. Behind the organized part of the beach there were few trees that made good shadow for those who opted not to pay for expensive sunbeds. I saw a german couple leaving that shady part and at the same moment the old man literally jumped from his chair and put two sunbeds at the only shady place. Can you imagine the level of greediness of that old man? He did that just to make the next visitors pay the sunbeds instead of letting them use their own towels, and that scene happened 20 m behind the last row of organized part of the beach. I'm beginning to think that the old man deliberately cut those branches during spring just to make them small and to avoid people using the tree shade forcing them to pay 20€, such a shame... I also saw a scene when the US family came to the beach and paid for a set (2 sunbeds and 1 umbrella). The beach was not so crowded and their kid laid on the third sunbed. Then, the old man literally ran from his chair and made them pay 5€ more for a third sunbed. After all this, I can just say don't go to this beach, it is lovely, but the people I've described made me feel awful because of...

Kalathas Beach – Calm, Clear, and Perfect for a Relaxing Day by the Sea

Located on the Akrotiri Peninsula just 15–20 minutes from Chania, is a beautiful and peaceful spot perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing away from the busy tourist crowds. Its crystal-clear shallow waters, soft sand, and sheltered bay make it an ideal beach for families, couples, and locals alike.

🌊 Why You’ll Love It: The water is incredibly clean and calm, thanks to the beach’s natural protection from strong winds. It’s perfect for children, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or simply floating in peace. The beach is generally quiet, even in peak season, offering a more authentic and uncrowded Cretan beach experience.

🪑 Facilities & Comfort: Kalatha is partly organized, with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, but there’s also plenty of space for those who prefer to bring their own towel and relax in the sand. There are showers and changing cabins, and sometimes a small beach bar operating in the summer for drinks and snacks.

🚗 Parking Advice: You can easily park along the road near the beach, just a short walk from the sand. In July and August, try to arrive before 11 AM to get the best spot.

🍽️ Nearby Food Options: There are no tavernas directly on the beach, so it’s a good idea to bring water and snacks or head to nearby Kounoupidiana or Chorafakia for a meal. You'll find some excellent local tavernas within a 5–10 minute drive.

🎯 Things to Do Nearby:

Combine your trip with a visit to Seitan Limania (25 minutes away) for a dramatic change of scenery

Explore Agia Triada Monastery or Gouverneto Monastery for a cultural detour

Visit Marathi Beach for tavernas and a more developed setting just 15–20 minutes away

🏄 For Sports & Activities: While Kalathas isn’t a major water sports hub, it’s excellent for paddleboarding, snorkeling, and easy swimming. Bring your own gear or enjoy the natural simplicity of the sea.

Conclusion: Kalathas Beach is a hidden gem for those who appreciate clean water, calm surroundings, and a slower pace. It’s not flashy or commercial - just natural beauty and peaceful vibes. A favorite among locals, and a fantastic stop if you want to relax like a...

(French under) 🇬🇧 -There are cats and kitten on the beach, PLEASE FEED THEM IF YOU CAN !! They are on the restaurant outside part (the restaurant is currently closed), there are at least 4 kitten and 6 adult cats, they need food for the winter so if you can bring a lot of food, what you can (croquettes, meats...) they need it !! Also if you can take care of them, they love pet and Hugs, and maybe Treat them, some seem to have diseases(eyes). Thank you !! And please like my comment so that much people see it ! And great beach by the way 😉 (you can put food under the restaurant's canopy where cats like to be(you can see on the pic))

🇨🇵- Il y a des chats et des chatons sur la plage, S'IL VOUS PLAIT NOURRISSEZ LES SI VOUS LE POUVEZ ! Ils sont dans la partie extérieure du restaurant (le restaurant est actuellement fermé), il y a au moins 4 chatons et 6 chats adultes, ils ont besoin de nourriture pour l'hiver donc si vous le pouvez apportez un maximum de nourriture, ce que vous pouvez (croquettes, viandes...) ils en ont besoin!! Ils aiment aussi qu'on s'occupe d'eux, certains apprécient beaucoup caresses et câlins, et même si vous le pouvez essayez de les soigner certains ont l'air malade (yeux). Merci !! Et likez mon commentaire pour que plus de gens le voient s'il vous plaît !! Et super plage au fait 😉 (vous pouvez déposer la nourriture sous le auvent du restaurant où les chats aiment être...