A sandy cove at Agii Apostoli, a short bus ride west of Chania

A Chania beach day without a car

Beaches you can reach from Chania without a car: Nea Chora on foot, Agii Apostoli and Golden Beach by city bus, Kalathas and Stavros by Akrotiri bus.

By TripToCrete · Updated 20 October 2026 · 2 min read

Quick answer: You do not need a car for a good beach day from Chania. Nea Chora is a 15-minute walk from the harbour, Golden Beach and Agii Apostoli are a short city-bus ride west, and Kalathas and Stavros are on the Akrotiri bus routes.
On foot
Nea Chora (about 1 km)
City bus west
Chrissi Akti, Agii Apostoli, Kalamaki
Bus to Akrotiri
Kalathas, Stavros
KTEL west
Agia Marina, Platanias
A sandy cove at Agii Apostoli, a short bus ride west of Chania
A sandy cove at Agii Apostoli, a short bus ride west of Chania.

Walk: Nea Chora

Walk west along the seafront past the Firkas fortress. Nea Chora is sandy and shallow, with fish tavernas on the promenade: ideal for a short swim between sights.

City bus: the western beaches

City buses run west along the coast road. Chrissi Akti (Golden Beach), about 2.5 km from town, and the coves of Agii Apostoli next to it are sandy, organised and family-friendly.

Bus to Akrotiri

Buses from Chania serve Kalathas, with its islet, and Stavros, a round shallow bay under a mountain. Allow 30–40 minutes.

KTEL along the coast

The KTEL buses from the main bus station run frequently to Agia Marina and Platanias, with long sandy beaches and resort facilities. Buy tickets at the station or on board, and check the last bus back.

Questions before you go

What is the closest beach to Chania old town?

Nea Chora, about 15 minutes' walk west of the harbour.

Can I take a bus to Stavros beach?

Yes, buses from Chania serve Stavros on Akrotiri; check the timetable.

Is there a bus to Balos or Elafonisi?

Seasonal KTEL services and excursions run there, but timings are limited; check in advance.

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