Thinking of booking a trip to Nea Chora in Chania? Here’s what to expect from Chania’s main city beach.
Where is it?
Nea Chora is just west of Chania Old Town, between the city and Agii Apostopoli.
What’s the vibe like?
Nea Chora is the biggest and most popular beach area within Chania city. It’s located on the west side of the city and a short distance from the Old Town and Venetian Harbour area.
It’s mainly popular with locals but some tourists do stay here or wander down for the afternoon.
Nea Chora has a traditional bucket-and-spade appeal. The beach has a family-friendly atmosphere and is packed with sun loungers. A paved promenade runs alongside the beach with cafes and tavernas running its length.
At the eastern end of the beach is a small marina and a working harbour. You’ll also find lots of popular seafood tavernas here. It’s a short walk from the National Nautical-Athletic Centre.
The western end of the beach has some small cliffs – you can follow a footpath above the cliffs to the picturesque Tsalikis Fishermen Bar and Kladissos Beach, which is an empty stony beach surrounded by scrub.
The streets behind the beach are residential with a warren of mid-rise post-war apartment blocks.
If you want to stay near Chania but right by the beach then it doesn’t get any nearer than this – the Old Town is a 15-minute walk.
What’s the beach like?
The beach at Nea Chora is dark golden sand with some pebbles in the water. It’s fairly narrow – or at least feels that way when packed with people. Expect it to be very busy on weekends and public holidays. It’s an organised beach with lifeguards, showers, and sun loungers although there are plenty of free areas too as well as some trees on the beach for shade.
The water is clean and the beach is Blue Flag rated but does feel urban and a bit scrappy. It’s not quite as nice as the beaches at Agii Apostopoli but it is much closer to the city.
Activities and amenities
Nea Chora isn’t geared towards international tourism and doesn’t have the same range of activities and amenities (or watersports) that the beach resorts further west do. But you’ll find one or two mini-markets/souvenir shops, a tourist office, and a car rental agency amongst the businesses on the promenade.
SUP’n’Blue runs tours and paddleboard rentals from Kladissos Beach, often to a small uninhabited island in the bay called Lazareta.
There’s a small playground near the harbour.
Transport and accessibility
From the airport:
Nea Chora is a 30-minute drive from Chania International Airport.
Prices for a private airport transfer to Nea Chora are around €35.
Public transport:
You can walk from the Venetian Harbour in 15 minutes along the coastal road from the Venetian Fortress. There’s a cycle path along this road too. In the other direction, you can continue cycling along the coast to Golden Beach and Agii Apostopoli but this is an unlit dirt path.
Nea Chora is covered by Chania City Bus number 20 – see the Chania Bus website for timetables. It doesn’t go right up to the beach but along Selinou, the nearest main road.
You can buy tickets on board but it’s cheaper to buy them before you get on at either the Chania bus station or any kiosk/mini-market near the bus stop.
To reach the airport by bus you’ll have to change at Chania.
Accessibility:
Nea Chora is mostly flat although the east end around the harbour has a gentle hill. Road access is good. There’s a car park at the eastern end of Kladissos Beach and several more parking lots in the wider area.
The quality of paving in Chania is variable and many pavements, including along the main road to Nea Chora, have trees right in the middle of the pavement (pictured above).
Prices
Prices in Nea Chora are good value – it’s cheaper than the Old Town which is the main tourist heart of the city.
Where to stay
The 5-star Chania Flair Deluxe Hotel (adults-only) is definitely the most luxurious place to stay in Nea Chora. It’s located at the east end near the harbour.
There are lots of basic no-frills and traditional studios to rent. If you want to be right on the beachfront look at the recently renovated Frini Hotel.
Read more about Crete:
Where to Stay in Chania Near the Beach
Where to Stay in Chania’s Old Town
How to Get Around Chania By Bus
10 Most Beautiful Beaches Near Chania
Where to Stay on Crete: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide
10 Most Beautiful Beaches on Crete
Image credits: All images © The Mediterranean Traveller
