Its located on the western end of the north coast, withpeaks of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) providing a dramatic backdrop. Outside this, its a large resort town with an excellent (though busy) beach, an unashamedly commercial centre, and a charming old quarter (Old Malia), where youll find traditional houses and tavernas. But the lagoon beach is known to many island regulars, and gets busy on a summer weekend. Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { It also provides stunning views from all angles. Karavostasi Beach 432 Beaches By selsfield2003 Worth the walk ( or the ride on the mini train) Great beach - lovely clear water and 2 amazing tavernas. Something of the original working fishing harbour feel remains, and traditional domatia and cheap cafes sit alongside bijou boutiques and expensive seafood restaurants. BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CRETE IN AGIOS NIKOLAOS ($$$) Minos Beach Art Hotel ($$) Miramare Resort & Spa ($) Ikaros Art Hotel FIND AGIOS NIKOLAOS HOTEL DEALS 5. See More, This exclusive beachfront hotel in Rethymno recently underwent a full renovation. #3 in Best Resorts in Crete Tripadvisor (921) 1 critic awards 5.0-star Hotel Class Free WiFi Overview Reviews Deals Rooms Kalimera Kriti Hotel Village Resort is a 5 star hotel located. Kalamaki is a relatively new town in Crete, it has more of a purpose-built feel to it. Several of the Elounda luxury resorts are actually in Plaka. 5* resort Domes of Elounda is one of Cretes most exclusive hotels and has access to a private sandy beach, VIP services, and a champagne bar. An epic choice of restaurants and bars. They get progressively smaller, more village-like and quieter the further out you get. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. The nation boasts nearly 5,800 miles of coastline, stretching along the warm Gulf of Mexico to the east and the . Check out cheery Sunday Life. There's a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, a small spa, and a restaurant. Luxury highlights: Domes Noruz in Kato Daratsa is the 5* pick beachfront location, private plunge pools and hot tubs are available. Visitors to the area might be shocked to find that it retains its snowcaps until the middle of spring and offers innumerable hiking opportunities from the Samaria Gorge to the Askifou plateau to Mount Ida herself. 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. 9.8/5 (157 reviews) "The bed was so comfortable. Its unsurprisingly popular with returnees. Also along the main harbour, youll find the stylish Elia Zampeliou Boutique Hotel and the funky Alcanea Boutique Hotel. Triopetra Beach is located on the south of the island around a 2 hour drive from Heraklion airport. Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. 17. Lovely beaches, ideal for a romantic break or family holiday. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Chania International airport. ); Coastal perfection. Head west for quieter beaches at Amnisos or Tobrouk. Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. } Oceanfront Home With Views (7 guests): $325/night. Check Paleochora rooms and prices on Booking.com. 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. Elounda is a good middle ground for those who dont want utter isolation, but still want to keep their break fairly relaxed. It doesnt matter where you go you will always find greenery spots. 9. Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. 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. })(); For all the legal bits go to myDisclaimer and Privacy Policy, Cretan cooking experience in the mountains, check rooms and availability on Booking.com, 10 Perfect Gifts for Foodies Who Love Greece (Ideal for a Hamper), 10 Best Places for a Sunny Winter City Break in Europe. I think it time for a bring visit back! Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. Ideal for totally relaxing. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. The beach of Myrtos is a hidden treasure which, rarely gets crowded and provides a real opportunity to take a load off and truly relax. ; EAST: The beaches past Elia are beyond the reach of the bus and water taxi network so things calm down considerably. Heres a complete rundown on where to stay in Crete to help you choose which part of the island to choose, which town, resort or beach is for you, and the best beach hotels, whether youre booking accommodation DIY or looking for a package vacation. An adults-only hotel in a converted historic mansion, it has been elegantly restored and has its own hammam. 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. Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. Even the briefest of strolls through the village will showcase many of the wonderful pottery studios. There are numerous beaches to visit, and if they are a bit far or you want to go further afield, as a bigger resort you can find hire cars for the standard rate. A collection of understated luxury rooms and bungalows are elegantly decorated with simple white walls and minimalist artworks. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Hotels of 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor The best of the rest are: Creta Blue Boutique Hotel & Suites, Villa Ippocampi,Casa Bianca Boutique Hotel,Abaton Island Resort & Spa, Cooks Club. Chanias maze of old town streets have been prettied up for the tourists, but they still retain a charming atmosphere especially if you can catch them in spring before the masses arrive. Plaka has a lovely beach, especially lovely if you dont like sand getting everywhere, as its made from pebbles. Mid-range boutique: Casa Cook is a beach resort reimagined for the Instagram generation, with boho-chic minimalism up on the hills behind the beach in Kato Daratsa. forms: { Its vulnerable to high winds but on the other hand, this makes it ideal for surfers. Service 4.3. 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. Honeymoons - A haven of tranquility with private villas with mountian and sea views, spoiling massages and haute cuisine overlooking the bay. Falassarna is home to one of the best beaches on Crete vast, sandy, and relatively undeveloped. The beach here is better than any at Hersonissos, which is 5km away. See More, Impressive luxury resort, totally insulated from the outside world in semi-tropical gardens. The thrum centres around the Venetian harbour, the cafe-packed backstreets, and the extensive beach which extends to the east. Definitely one of the most unspoiled places to visit in Crete, the pretty peaceful village of Loutro evokes some strong emotion when you land here it is truly like stepping back in time! The best beaches in Crete | CN Traveller The modern rooms boast private balconies overlooking the bay, gardens or pool. The best beaches and coves in Crete incl. insider tips - Corissia Kato Zakros is located on the east coast of the island around a 3 hour journey from Heraklion airport. Transfer time: 1 hr 40 minutes from both Chania and Heraklion airports. There are a few large all-inclusive hotels in Panormo Iberostar Creta Marine and Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare being two of the larger ones. The swankiest resort in town is the long-established Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort. On a budget? 15 Quiet Beach Towns in America - PureWow Classy Veneziano Boutique Hotel is in a beautifully renovated historic building. Numerous beautiful beaches with soft sand or colored pebbles are found in the prefecture of Chania in western Crete. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. Rethymno Beach is also one of Cretes most important turtle nesting grounds. But almost every island has at least a few great swimming beaches. Sumptuous suites and villas have cool contemporary interiors and fabulous sea views, and many with their own private pool. A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! South coast Agia Galini is a small harbour town that was once the biggest resort town in the Rethymno region. Beach bums are better off at Plakias (see below). #3 Best Value of 119 Crete Resorts "The mini water park within the hotel is excellent, with plenty of slides for younger and older kids. East of Sitia the crowds really thin out most tourists dont make it beyond this point. The beach is a mix of shingle and sand, and the water is crystal clear and calm. There are actually three beaches within walking distance from the cobbled stone street village, all of which are pretty shallow and nestled amongst some really lovely local topography, allowing for some rather nice snorkelling experiences. See More, An ultra-luxurious haven combining the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. NORTH: Rugged and unpopulated, with quiet but windy beaches. Private sandy beach, and fantastic facilties for all the family including a luxury spa and kids club. With the exception of Paleochora, that is. It can be as quiet or as rowdy as you like. The vibe is family-friendly thanks to its sheltered bay which is lined with a number of traditional tavernas. Stavros Bay aerial: Mike Drosos / Shutterstock, Matala rocks: Georgios Tsichlis / Shutterstock, Map of Crete: The Mediterranean Traveller, Map of Chania region The Mediterranean Traveller, Elafonissi: Zakhar Marunov / Adobe Stock, Paleochora: Vladimir1984 / Shutterstock, Map of Rethymnon region The Mediterranean Traveller, Panormo: Jaroslav Moravcik / Shutterstock, Agia Galini: Georgios Kritsotakis / Shutterstock, Map of Heraklion region The Mediterranean Traveller, Agia Pelagia: Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock, Map of Lasithi region The Mediterranean Traveller, Agios Nikolaos: olgaarkhipenko / Adobe Stock, Elounda: Georgios Tsichlis / Shutterstock. The upmarket vibe of Elounda is rubbing off on the small nearby village of Plaka, which is ideal with those looking for a quiet and peaceful holiday. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. What really amazed when I was in Crete was how quiet it is. Tourism here peaked in the 90s and as such it has a slightly careworn feel and is friendly but not busy. Triopetra is surrounded by Siderotas mountain, olives groves, and of course, the seafront, the area is named after the three majestic rocks that rise out of the ocean at the edge of the peninsula. And Plakias now has a youth hostel! See More, Domes Noruz Chania boasts a spectacular location on the coast of Crete. See More, A stunning resort on Mirabello Bay with its own private beach and dreamy views. Elounda is a lively harbour town thats surrounded by beautiful scenery and a sandy Blue Flag town beach. A typical routine is to eat dinner in the old village and then head down towards the waterfront for evening drinks. Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. Sfakia is the nearest town for amenities. Some of the most beautiful and unique beaches are in the area nearby Damnoni is sandy with shallow clear waters, perfect for kids. The outskirts of Hersonissos are home to some of Cretes swankiest 5* resort hotels. The Greek islands with the best beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. #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. Mount Ida is the tallest peak of the range, named after the daughter of the King of Crete according to Greek mythology. Utterly relaxing. 26. Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel Show prices Enter dates to see prices 202 reviews Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport, 1 hr 10 minutes from Heraklion International Airport book a transfer. Cool or what? If you want a bit of light culture there is a church (Agios Panteleimon) on the Western side of the village, it has a gorgeous mosaic floor and is not commercial in any way (if you want to see it youll have to go to the kiosk on Sougia beach and ask for the key yourselfseriously)! Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. There are some quieter beaches in the area if youre up for a bit of scrambling, and things calm down in the evening once the coaches have packed up for the day. Glyka Nera is located on the south coast of Crete a 2 hour 30 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. The one thing I would highly recommend is getting sea shoes as there are sea urchins on the rocks!! Some suites have access to a private hot tub on the roof terrave. Enjoy the many dining options, good spa and lots of activities - tennis, water sports and nearby nightlife. This ultra-luxurious haven combines the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. I loved Ligaria a small and charming seaside village located on the north side of Crete especially its lovely beach which has the same name. The 680-room Creta Maris Beach Resort is a beachfront all-inclusive resort a 10-minute walk from Limenas Hersonissos village. And oh the food! The City Hotel & Suites is a clean and modern hotel offering excellent value at a lower price point, as are Menta City Boutique Hotel and Omiros Boutique Hotel. The smaller of the two beaches, Small Triopetra (or Koumado), is more an enclosed, sandy, and rocky bay. Top things to see and do in Rethymno include: And possible day trips in the area include: Rethymnon Beach is Cretes longest sandy beach at 12km long, and as it extends east from the city it swallows up villages that have long since morphed into suburban beach resorts. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. The 10 Best Resorts in Chania, Greece | Booking.com One of the main things to do in Heraklion is to catch a ferry to visit Santorini, Mykonos and other places. Crete is filled with fine beaches, ancient treasures, dreamy villages, wonderful cuisine, and hospitable locals who hold their traditional culture in high regard. Plaka is also the gateway to the Spinalonga, the small fortress island that famously housed a leper colony and is now one of the main day trips in the area. Visitors here can simply detox from life and tackle long-awaited books, take walks along the stunning scenery or simply eat, drink and be merry. Although the panorama can make you trigger happy with the camera, dont ignore the beauty right beside you on the path a Venetian fort, ancient churches, ancient cisterns, and the breath-taking remains of the ruined ancient town of Pikilassos, not to mention the beautiful flora and fauna that you encounter along the way, including lots of olive trees resist the urge to pillage! If youre planning on staying in the area for more than a few days in the summer then it makes sense to be out in one of Chanias coastal resorts, to take advantage of beach access and/or parking (which is very difficult in the centre). The coastline is developed on either side, but it was the introduction of budget flights to Chania airport that really put it on the map. The best beach in the area is at Anissaras, this is a 4 kms taxi ride west from Koutouloufari and any taxi driver will know where it is. Crete's Best Beach Hotels | The Hotel Guru 15 Best Luxury Crete Resorts on the Beach - overseas attractions Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort 3. The best quiet beach in Crete? - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor 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. If you can get beyond immediate appearances, it has a likeable vibe there are some excellent museums and a good bar and music scene propped up by the local student population. The Top 3 Best Crete Family Resorts | Oyster.com It has a tranquil fishing village vibe, although the heart of the village does feel a bit commercialised, and there are some small beaches a short walk away (the main one is Boufos). Swanky Aspalathos Falassarna Villas has an infinity pool, hot tub and sauna. Crete's Best Beach Hotels | The Hotel Guru If you are staying one or more nights, you dont need to worry about thumping music or all-night parties. The surrounding hillsides are home to a swathe of lovely resort hotels and a few minor beaches. If you want to explore the culinary, you will have a vast variety of restaurants and amazing coffee shops. A classy, modern hotel. Palm-fringed Preveli is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches on Crete. Essentially, Myrtos has something to offer everyone from a secluded, sandy seafront to a large dose of historical culture. 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. And its one of the warmest places in the Mediterranean in winter. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. 1,438 reviews. Enjoyed this post? The wonderful White Mountains are located in Western Crete, and their gleaming shine is the dominant feature of the region. Transfer time: 30 minutes from Heraklion airport. That said, they are exposed to the northwesterly Meltemi wind which blasts Greece throughout the summer beware big waves and undercurrents when the wind is blowing, pay attention to local advice. For something different, highly rated Ammos Hotel in Agioi Apostoli brings a touch of Scandi cool to proceedings. If youre bringing the familiy you may prefer a villa with a pool have a look at Philoxenia Villas which has fresh modern decor and is 200 yards from the beach. Show Prices. The further out, the quieter it gets. Greeces largest island has quickly developed a reputation as a party island with crowds of revellers in the busier resorts looking for their next shot of ouzo, but you shouldnt let that put you off visiting this sun-soaked island. Oceanview Designer Beach House (4 guests): $300/night. Its a purpose-built resort and essentially a quieter outpost of Malia though, with lots of the same English breakfast cafes and Irish bars. For those on a smaller budget, have a look at the small and friendly Nostos Hotel which is a few minutes from the main harbour. Elounda Gulf Villas provide a free transfer to a private beach club. An award winning restaurant, a superb wine list and a well-known spa on site. Again due to its relative remoteness, youll be able to leave your disco shoes at home as well have none of that here, thanks very much. Libyan Princess is the most comfortable and modern hotel on the block. On a budget? St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotels & Villas is a large 5* complex with direct beach access. The famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. Visit Mosque of the Janissaries in Crete | Expedia You are properly in the land of Greek mythology, I expected Jason and his argonauts to pop over the horizon at any moment whilst we sat on the beach. The small city of Sitia is a working port town with a pleasant seafront promenade, a sandy town beach, and a slow lifestyle. Transfer time: 15 minutes from Heraklion International airport. The long-distance hiking route passes through the area, and there are several smaller gorges and empty beaches such as Sweetwater to discover. But it would be a shame to miss out on the excellent tavernas in Panormo. By that, I mean you want to indulge in some serious chilling, but also maybe want to have a good time in the evening too. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. 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. Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. The resorts spread out in either direction along the coast. Sougia is located on the South West Coast of Crete around 3 hour and 20-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED What delights visitors the most about the White Mountains is the central and southern part of the Lefka Ori which, due to the high altitude, resembles a lunar landscape and offers visiting hikers a surreal experience of walking on the moon which, is wholly unique to the northern hemisphere. Just dont expect to find authentic Crete here. The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury.