Gerani is a coastal village in the northwest of Crete situated between the villages of Platanias and Maleme. It lies on the Old National Road and it is close to the junction to the new national road.
The village is located 14 km west of Chania and is spread out along the coast. Along the beach you find the new part of the village where most accommodations are (called Kato Gerani, or lower Gerani) and further inland is the old Gerani (Palaio Gerani). A small river runs through the village.
Kato Gerani offers a number of taverns and cafes, a few supermarkets, a bakery, a butcher, a hairdresser, a barber, a pharmacy and a petrol station and there is a regular bus service to Chania and Kolimbari. Gerani is less developed for tourism than its neighbor Platanias and it is therefore also slightly quieter. Still the village offers a number of big hotels as well as many small family businesses renting rooms, studios and apartments.
Most of the beach is covered by coarse sand, but along the waterline there are pebbles. There are also pebbles a few meters into the clear water and it would be comfortable to wear bathing shoes. The beach has several sections where it is possible to rent sun beds and parasols and it also has showers and changing facilities. During the high season, the busiest area of the beach is supervised by a lifeguard.
There are a few restaurants along the beach, but most of the visitors live in Gerani and eat at their hotels.
The village has a regular bus service to Platanias, with its sandy beaches and amenities including doctors, banks, chemists, supermarkets, bakeries, tavernas, etc. It is also possible to walk the two kilometers along the road or the beach.
Chania town is a 20 minute drive and the international airport about 40 minutes.
