A small town with a huge sandy beach with turtle nests, less than 10 km away from the charming Chania Old Town?
Yes, please!
This is Agia Marina, the perfect spot for a beach holiday in Crete.
There are almost 3km of shoreline. This makes Agia Marina the ideal destination for those who love their morning walks.
Contents of Hidden Gem Alert: Discover Agia Marina, Crete’s Best-Kept Secret
What Is Agia Marina Like?
Agia Marina is a small village with a huge sandy beach and a beachfront promenade with restaurants, beach bars and shops. If you want, you can spend your whole day by the beach and have foods and drinks brought to you, right there.
There are also quiet areas, so you can find your “private” spot on the beach, if you don’t want music, noise, sunbeds and umbrellas.
The main road that passes through the village is narrow and it can get busy at times, particularly during the high season. Also, the overall look an feel of Agia Marina is one of a busy and touristy beach resort, without the Cretan charm you’ll find in Spili or in Agia Galini.
Nonetheless, the Agia Marina beach and the beachfront walk are fabulous.
Agia Marina beach, near Chania Town
If you get there early in the morning, you have everything to yourself: the sand, the promenade, the seagulls, the Caretta-Caretta turtle nests (which are carefully marked, so that people can avoid damaging them by accident).
Can You Walk From Agia Marina to Chania?
You can walk from Agia Marina to Chania, but that’s nothing to look forward to. You’d need about two hours and there’s no way you can walk only on the beach.
Walking alongside the main road is a noisy, dusty and hot experience, so you won’t take much pleasure off it (not to mention that you’d need to walk back afterwards).
You can walk from Agia Marina to Stalos or to Platanias.
This can be your early morning exercise during your vacation.
To get to Chania or Kissamos, you’d better take a taxi or a bus.
Renting a car is also a great idea, as it would offer you the freedom to explore Crete without restrictions.
Parking in Chania Town can be challenging, but a little patience and perseverance would take you long way. Also, if money isn’t an issue, you can search for private parking.
If you park your car on the street, you may want to save its location in your phone. You can thank me later.
Agia Marina Hotels
Small boutique hotels, beachfront villas and traditional style apartments – that’s the kind of accommodation you’ll find in Agia Marina.
Atlantica Amalthia Beach Hotel – Located right on the Agia Marina beach, Atlantica Amalthia is an adults-only accommodation that features a swimming pool and a fitness and spa center.
Dore Boutique Hotel – Small but modern, this boutique hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, free wi-fi, free parking, and 24-hour front desk among many other things.
Eden Beach Hotel – located in Agia Marina Nea Kydonias, on a sandy beach with shallow water, Eden Beach offers great value for money. Basic but clean, this hotel can be an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Agia Marina Restaurants
There are several excellent waterfront restaurants and tavernas in Agia Marina.
I don’t remember their names, unfortunately, but I had a good share of meals there during my Crete holiday.
When the sea is rough, you can watch the foamy waves breaking off the promenade. That’s quite a show, you can take my word for it!
Agia Marina Beach
Located between Platanias and Kato Stalos, Agia Marina is a blue flag beach.
You can walk to Platanias and Stalos directly on the beach.
The walk between Kato Stalos and Platanias takes about one hour (or even more, if you stop for photos or coffee, or if you walk through the water).
I stayed in Stalos and I found the beginning of Agia Marina Beach to be the best.
Some people came with hammocks by the beach – they kindly allowed me to take some photos
Before you go, you may also want to read my article about the best beaches in Chania.
