Crete is a large island the fifth largest in the Mediterranean and you can find whatever youre looking for in each region. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. Hailing from the Emerald Isle she calls a small coastal town near Dublin home, but has lived in a few countries including Saigon, Vietnam where she resided for over a year. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Enjoyed this post? Its a windswept and low-key kind of place, with remnants of a hippie vibe. Bored of sunning yourself? If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. But the main attraction that brings tourists to Heraklion is the nearby ancient Minoan site of Knossos the biggest and most well-known on the island. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Its a year-round Greek town that attracts tourists and expats, rather than a purpose-built tourist town. The beaches here are small but this helps to keep the crowds away. The remote area of Sfakia on the southern coast is one of the most beautiful parts of Crete but you have to be prepared for an adventure to get there. There are numerous beaches dotted about, and if you are staying for more than a few days it can be good fun to try a different one each day. The beauty of Margarites does not need to be explained or even described, the minute it comes into view- it will take your breath away. Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. The older part of town (Ano Hersonissos or Palia Hersonissos) is set back from the coast and has lots of little family-run tavernas. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. But there are plenty of returners from those days its warm seas, great views, and some of the best fishing in Greece make it particularly popular with expats. For all intents and purposes its a real treasure. If you are looking for a bit of space then Plakias offers one of the largest beaches in Crete. 1,438 reviews. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. The resort boasts an outdoor hot tub. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. Some swim-up rooms are available. Courgette balls, broad beans, moussaka and mezedakia. The main attraction in Stalis (or Stalida) is its 6km golden crescent of beach, and its proximity to party capital Malia (just a 30-minute walk). The beach is a mix of shingle and sand, and the water is crystal clear and calm. Wonderful! #1 Best Value of 80 Beach Resorts in Crete "Highlights were Excellent, clean sandy beach and lot of sun beds on beach, around pools etc. This area is perfect for beach lovers (although its worth noting that the main beach does get very windy). Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. PRIVACY POLICY TERMS & CONDITION, Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs, Minos Palace Hotel & Suites Adults Only, The Royal Senses Resort Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton, Explore the Mediterranean Sea in a different way with, After a fun-filled day, relax and rejuvenate with, Discover peaceful, uncrowded scenery walking through, Learn about the architectural treasures from around the area and history of the village at, Dont leave without buying a piece of handcrafted pottery as, Find a spot near a bar or taverna along the beach to. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. My favourite was Geropotamos Beach, there is a rather attractive stone arch to the west and, on the east, a freshwater river running directly into the sea. Glika Nera Beach 190 Beaches By 849jeremyn And its one of the warmest places in the Mediterranean in winter. The Akrotiri Peninsula is where youll find the airport, a swathe of villas, and a few spectacular beaches such as Stavros Bay and Seitan Limani. Sougia is a small village located by the Libyan sea, it can be a bit of a drive, especially from some of the more developed areas, but that was half the fun! Check out Aspri Petra Apartments or Asterias Village. Explore the surrounding islands or simply lie back and relax. Elafonisi Lagoon is located on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Heraklion International airport. It is slightly commercialised, but that said if you like the occasional deep-fried or sugary treat delivered to your lounger whilst you catch the sun, its not too bad at all! Nana Princess Suites Villas & Spa 2. Our hotel experts have scoured the length and breadth of the island to bring you a collection of Crete's best beach hotels selected on their location, designs, service, and amenities. And Plakias now has a youth hostel! It feels a little like the end of the known world, and Sfakions are known for their fierce independence and excellent cheese pies. Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. But the rowdy bars are largely confined to one strip the Malia Mile, and the party doesnt start until later in the evening. There are lots of good value hotels in Sitia, though in general decor is a tad dated check Booking.com for prices and availability. Aside from the peacefulness of the region, it is hard not to be astounded by the artwork the elements left behind- a series of terraces in the rock face which, will undoubtedly leave you awestruck. Its popular as a boat trip destination the summer months can see an influx of tour boats from nearby Malia and Hersonissos but relatively few actually stay there, and those that do tend to love it. Head west for quieter beaches at Amnisos or Tobrouk. Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, GLOBAL GRASSHOPPER. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. The KTEL bus station is in the new town, a 10-minute walk from the main harbour see PDF timetables. Heraklion is located on the north coast of Crete and is home to the main airport of the island. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! This ultra-luxurious haven combines the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection Show prices Enter dates to see prices !" Breakfast included 2022 2. Malia can be a great option for cheap last minute packages keep an eye on Lastminute.com for deals. Agia Pelagia is halfway between Bali and Heraklion and is the only real beach resort to the west of the capital, to which it is connected by a regular bus service which takes about 1 hr. Beach Life - The property has a private beach area (complete with an open-air cineam in the evenings) - ideal for a quiet beach getaway. all were excellent and we recommend this hotel with a true "vacation vibe" to all couples wanting a quiet and relaxing vacation on the wonderful beach of Crete". Total bliss. With the exception of Paleochora, that is. : Effi Apartments are a steal and right on the beach in Platanias. Crete is divided into four provinces, each headed up by a regional capital on the north coast Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos. Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. The beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. One of the main attractions of this part of Crete is Vai Beach, the famously exotic palm beach and former hippie colony. The walk can take upwards of two hours depending on ability and speed, but also inclination, make sure you take your time to soak up the beautiful views and atmosphere. The smaller of the two beaches, Small Triopetra (or Koumado), is more an enclosed, sandy, and rocky bay. The infamous resort of Malia is known for its 24hr party scene its the best spot for nightlife on Crete, as legions of teenage boys well know. Although the hippies have long since been moved on, and the caves protected and closed to the public, the town retains a laidback feel despite the explosion of tourism here. There are seven restaurants to choose from, a kids' club, and a wide range of activities - a real crowd pleaser. This is part of a Greek holiday resort guide series and will cover: Roughly speaking, the north coast is developed and is home to the main cities and also most of the beach resort towns. It is flanked by steep, mountainsides, home to a sizable herd of goats (judging from the clinking of bells) as well as a tepid sea, sheltered by a lush bay. A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! It does attract some tourists, mainly from the continent. In certain lights as well, Balos Beach has a hint of pink sand. Palm-fringed Preveli is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches on Crete. Packages to Stalis are available through TUI. A few Venetian buildings remain but most of the city is a modern concrete jungle that always seems to be dusty and full of building works that were halted during the crisis. Panormos is located on the North Coast of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. An adults-only hotel in a converted historic mansion, it has been elegantly restored and has its own hammam. South of the Lasithi Peninsula, this part of Crete has its own climate its drier, hotter, and more barren than the rest of the island. (function() { As with the other northern cities, it has a Venetian Fortress (the Kazarma) and an Archaeological Museum. Triopetra Beach is located on the south of the island around a 2 hour drive from Heraklion airport. One of the most beautiful cities in all of Greece, Chania is unsurprisingly a popular tourist destination. Fortunately, the prices in Elounda dont have a Hollywood price tag. There are some bars, but they are more likely to be full of civilised locals than your standard 18-30 gangs. The gorge became a national park in 1962, particularly as a refuge for the rare kri-kri (Cretan goat), which is elusive on the rest of the island. The scenery as you traverse the coast road with steep hills and lush greenery gives views that will take your breath away. Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. Glyka Nera is one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete and definitely one of the most unspoiled places to visit on the island, with deep blue water and fine white sands. Head east from Sitia and you eventually reach is Paleokastro, a windswept resort with an edge-of-the-world feel and some of the best windsurfing in Europe. Sitia, windsurf and nice beaches For a taste of the less touristy places on the island, Sitia is your town where to stay in Crete. Once youve driven (carefully) to the town youll find a laid-back vibe and easy-going atmosphere that is synonymous with most of the lesser-known spots on the island. If you have a mix of old and young children or value convenience then Stalis is a solid option. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { #7 Best Value of 66 Quiet Resorts in Crete "The resort location gives quiet seclusion and comfort with its own small beach, sun terraces and infinity pool all with beautiful views over Mirabello Bay." "Secluded enough to be quiet and relaxing but also close enough to the picturesque town of Agios St Nikolas." Special offer 2022 8. Georgioupolis Resort Aquapark & Spa offers a unique holiday experience to those that want to enjoy the incomparable Greek Hospitality whilst seeking top quality services in a relaxing environment, excellent gastronomy as well as a . But there are many places offering rooms and studios at a great price. Its located just to the east of Heraklion, meaning it is easy to get to if you dont want to spend too much time with pesky transfers. What was once a small Greek village has now become a cosmopolitan town, with bars, restaurants and hotels surrounding picturesque Lake Voulismeni. All rooms come with an outdoor pool and private hot tubs. Its not particularly health and safety friendly, but if you are brave enough youll be rewarded with a view of a hidden church built within the caves. Discover our best beaches of Crete: Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna in Chania, Preveli in Rethymno, Vai in Lassithi, and more. Interiors are chic, contemporary and comfortable. Blue Palace Luxury Collection has views across to Spinalonga, an extensive spa, and direct access to a pebble beach. The lagoon itself is actually an island that can be reached by paddling out to it. Lyttos Beach Resort is a 150-acre family-friendly hotel with dated interior spaces but beautiful grounds, including a sandy beach with free loungers and a lifeguard. Much of the south-west coast is rocky and inaccessible, with steep cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea and small beaches that form at the end of gorges. Many Chania beaches are among the best on the island, such as Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi. Sumptuous suites and villas have cool contemporary interiors and fabulous sea views, and many with their own private pool. Despite its proximity to larger resorts, the bus service to Sissi is limited, so its better suited to couples looking for a quiet place to stay in Crete or those wanting to explore the wild Agios Ioannis peninsula by car. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. They get progressively smaller, more village-like and quieter the further out you get. #30 Best Value of 32 Crete Luxury Beach Resorts Kissamos is a working port town on the northwestern edge of Crete. Suites, bungalows, and villas are light and airy with large swathes of glass and a modern take on Cretian design. This 5* property offers boutique accommodation decorated in a typically Mediterranean fashion and with either a private plunge pool or hot tub. Honeymoons - This is . This amazing place is like the Caribbean side of Crete.