Marathi
Marathi is located 17km east of Chania and 5km east of the Creta Naval Base in Souda Bay, on the southeastern coast of Akrotiri. It is a popular resort of Chania area, which attracts many visitors every summer, mainly families and elderly people.
Marathi hosts two beautiful beaches with fine sand and shallow calm water, ideal for children. They are very well protected from the winds, as they face to the south and have nice view to Drapanos Cape and the White Mountains. The beaches are separated by a small pier, which also serves as a harbor for fishing boats and small ferries. It is well organized with all necessary amenities nearby.
Loutraki
The seaside resort of Loutraki is located 16km east of Chania city, quite close to the American military base of Souda. Loutraki and the neighbouring Marathi are the two main touristic destinations in east Akrotiri.
Loutraki has a very nice quiet beach with fine sand and crystal clear shallow waters, especially suitable for children. It is very well organized and provides all the common touristic amenities, under the deep tree shade on the beach. You can rent umbrellas, eat in the taverns of the area, rent rooms and enjoy various water sports.
Stefanou Beach (Seitan Limania)
Stefanou beach is located at the position of Seitan Limania (i.e. satan harbours), 22km northeast of Chania and 2km east of the village Chordaki, at the east side of Akrotiri Cape. The wider area is named Seitan Limania, after the wild landscape, the steep cliffs and the strong sea streams which are considered dangerous. Here are situated three parallel narrow coves, well protected from the waves.
In the northern cove a tiny fantastic beach is shaped, with deep azure waters, namely the beach of Stefanou. The beach has fine pebbles and sand, transferred there from the nearby quarry through the canyon Diplohahalo. On the right and the left sides of the cove, huge marble rocks are standing high to protect the beach from the bad weather. The fame of the beach has faced a rapid increase since 2010, some years after the asphalt road reached the place; the beach is crowded in during peak season. There is a narrow steep path starting from the parking place and leading to the beach, so make sure you wear sneakers.
Kalathas
The seaside village of Kalathas is located 12km northeast of Chania city, in a natural bay at the Cape Akrotiri, which is open to the north winds. Current Kalathas is a relatively new village, which has been inhabited by residents of Chania who wanted to live away from the city center.
The beach in front of the village is beautiful, with fine sand and shallow crystal clear water. Opposite Kalathas, there is a small island which you can easily reach by swimming. The beach is very well organized with umbrellas, water sports, restaurants, hotels, lifeguard, mini markets, etc. West of the main bay, beyond the rocky end, there is a secluded sandy bay. This is not organized and is ideal for those who do not like crowded places.
Stavros
Stavros (i.e. cross) is a seaside village located 17km northeast of Chania, at the northernmost edge of Cape Akrotiri. One characteristic feature of the area is the very steep camel-shaped mountain Vardies rising opposite the harbor of Stavros. The mountain is famous, because there were filmed scenes for the film “Zorba the Greek”, where Anthony Quinn danced the famous Sirtaki Dance in 1964. Then Stavros was a humble small fishing village. Today the region has become a major tourist resort with many hotels and important tourist infrastructures. The two beautiful beaches of the area have contributed to the development of the area.
The main beach is located east of the village, at the foot of the mountain Vardies, and next to the picturesque harbor. A semicircular lagoon is formed, fully protected by winds blowing in the region. The small bay has marvelous white sand and shallow turquoise water. The contrast of the wild mountain with the peaceful beach in the foreground makes Stavros a unique place for swimming. As expected, the beach is very well organized and provides all possible services. The second beach of Stavros is located north of the village, 200m northwest of the main beach. It has sand and rocks in places and is less organized than the first, but cleaner. The main drawback of this is that it is unprotected and the sea is usually wavy. At the peninsula dividing the two beaches of Stavros, you can see the remains of the ancient quarry, used for extracting limestone for building the Walls of Chania during the Venetian Era (13rd- 17th century).
In Stavros you will find many more options rather than accommodation and restaurants, such as mini markets, shops, cafes etc. Moreover, there are bus services from Chania city.