Maleme, information on Maleme

Maleme is located in West Crete, 16 kilometres from Chania. Maleme is just 2 kilometres from the large seaside resort of Platanias and essentially forms part of the great tourist area extending from Chania in the east to Kolymbari in the west.

Maleme offers visitors a lovely beach and ever-developing tourist infrastructure.

Maleme is ideal for…

People who want to be near the sea, with a wide variety of choices for excursions and fun, will get the most out of holidays in Maleme. Maleme is next to Platanias with its exciting nightlife, so you can take part in it any time you want. You can also avoid it altogether if it’s not what you’re looking for on your Cretan holiday.

From Maleme you can be in Chania, with the most picturesque old town in Crete, in minutes. You can also explore the west coast of Crete with the Balos Lagoon and the famous Elafonissi, or spend romantic moments enjoying the sunset at Falassarna.

There are so many possible excursions from Maleme that it would take a whole book to mention them all. Of course this is also true of every town and village in the surrounding area.

Maleme is also ideal for anyone interested in the recent history of Crete, and especially the Battle of Crete in the Second World War, when Maleme became famous for its airfield. Thousands of German paratroopers were killed trying to take Maleme Airfield and have been laid to rest in the German War Cemetery at Maleme.

Maleme Beach

Maleme Beach is worth mentioning. It is wide, sandy and quite long. You can walk along the beach as far as the spot where entrance is prohibited due to the military installations.

Most of the beach is not organised, and the only umbrellas and loungers are in front of the cafeterias and hotels.

The westernmost end of Maleme Beach is almost empty, with just a few trees for those who feel the need for some shade.

How to get to Maleme

From Chania Airport to Maleme. Maleme is 30 kilometres from Chania Airport and you can get there along the National Road from Chania to Kissamos. At the exit to Platanias, follow the signs to Maleme.

From Souda Port to Maleme. Maleme is 20 kilometres from Souda port. To get from Souda Port to Maleme, take the Rethymnon – Chania National Road and drive west (towards Kissamos). Avoid going from Souda to the city of Chania and then to Maleme, as you will be delayed by the traffic in town.

From Chania Airport to Maleme by bus. First you need to take the bus from the airport to Chania, and then change to a different bus to Maleme.

From Chania to Maleme by bus. If you haven’t got your own means of transport, there are very frequent buses from Chania to Maleme until late at night.

From Chania to Maleme by car. From the centre of Chania, take Kissamou Avenue, leading to the coastal road to Maleme.