Maleme

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Maleme (Greek Μάλεμε) is a town and airport 16km to the west of Chania, in North Western Crete, Greece. It is located in Platanias municipality, in Chania prefecture.

Maleme is best known as the place where German paratroopers first attacked Crete in 1941, at the start of the Battle of Crete (Operation Mercury) of World War II. They captured the airstrip that was located just outside the town. Many lost their life in the attack and are buried in the German war cemetery located on a hill above Maleme. There is an Royal Air Force (RAF) Memorial to the airmen of 30 and 33 Squadrons who died during the battle. The memorial is located just outside Maleme and overlooks the Iron Bridge across the Tavronitis River. There are many stories of Cretan peasants attacking and killing paratroopers with their farming tools, walking sticks and even their bare hands.

A Late Minoan tholos tomb has been discovered in the vicinity of Maleme.

The modern town has a few large hotels and several pleasant apartments close to the beach and some bars and a discotheque at the western end. The beach is made of fine pebbles and is popular though often less crowded than the beaches of Gerani, Agia Marina and Platanias.