Enjoyed this post? It's quiet not only because the village is quiet and the people who go there are quiet, but because it's so big: 1.3 km long, and very wide, so that even in high season you can feel that you've got it almost to yourself. Check out cheery Sunday Life. Ierapetra is known as the capital of the south coast as its the biggest town along the coast, and one of the southernmost towns in Europe. There are churches tucked away in winding streets, and for those of you who want to enjoy a waterside view without the sand, the town is built around a beautiful lake (Lake Voulismeni), where you can take in the views, whilst also dining in style in one of a multitude of lakeside restaurants. And its one of the warmest places in the Mediterranean in winter. 5. 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. See more photos Add to shortlist. It gets very popular and usually attracts people who go there for clubbing. The city has an airport which makes this place a number one spot to start exploring the area. Set in landscaped gardens, the freshly reinvented Radisson Blu Beach Resort has seven pools, direct beach acces, and is popular with families. 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. There is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. A small collection of traditional stone cottages make the perfect base for families. Transfer time: 20 minutes from Heraklion International airport. South coast Agia Galini is a small harbour town that was once the biggest resort town in the Rethymno region. 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. listeners: [], 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. Several of the Elounda luxury resorts are actually in Plaka. The architecture of the village looks like it just sprang from a WWII novel, winding streets, brightly painted buildings, plenty of brick and crumbling plaster. " The hotel is very relaxing and although it is a bit quiet a night it really is the perfect mix of 5 star luxury during the day with the authenticity of amazing local Greek Tavernas like Zachos . Transfer time: 1hr 35 minutes from Chania International airport. The Troulis Apart-hotel is excellent value. Suites have private pools. But there is also an ecological interest Falassarna is part of the Natura 2000 network due to the extensive array of flora and fauna the area has to offer. #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. Heraklion Archaeological Museum is fantastic its worth visiting before you head out to the ancient sites if you can. If commercial isnt your thing then there are numerous guesthouses in the area, all offering their own unique brand of hospitality, many with floral and fragrant herb gardens. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. Theres a wide selection of accommodation, easy transport links, a short airport transfer, and child-friendly shallow waters. There are some bars, but they are more likely to be full of civilised locals than your standard 18-30 gangs. Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel Show prices Enter dates to see prices 202 reviews Lyttos Mare 5. Other options include Hotel Loutro Bay,SifisandDaskalogiannis Hotel. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. There are more Minoan ruins worth discovering though head further afield to Malia and Phaistos. A perfect miniature island-hopping adventure. Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. Boasting unspoilt bay views, life plays out on a different tempo here. A spoiling beach treat! 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). Accommodation is spacious and secluded, the best options have heated seawater pools, but all are utterly indulgent. It has a pretty setting in the Gulf of Mirabello with waterfront bars encircling a small lake its made for people watching, and there is a cosmopolitan cafe-bar scene. But it has everything you need its ideal if youre looking to enjoy one place for your holiday and dont feel the need to visit the larger towns. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. Cool or what? Kids go free to the Minoan Amusement Park. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. Self-catering and BBQ are available for all. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. From spending many breaks on this beautiful island, here is my choice for the quietest and most authentic and unspoiled places to visit in Crete which are perfect for travel snobs. Milatos is a small and low-key beach resort just beyond Sissi. The beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. The swankiest resort in town is the long-established Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort. Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. of the rooms, the quality of the beach. Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. Bored of sunning yourself? Transfer time: 1hr 40 minutes from Chania International airport. The nation boasts nearly 5,800 miles of coastline, stretching along the warm Gulf of Mexico to the east and the . The main airports in Crete are Chania International and Heraklion International, both well served by budget airlines. 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. Captains House is in a traditional building by the waterfront a friendly welcome, fantastic sea views, and comfy beds. As Chania is a regional capital and in close proximity to so many beach resorts, it makes a great base to explore the west of the island. There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. For a private beach, an award-winning spa and fine dining, try the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. . The main village is set 1km back from the beach and is a popular area for villas and expats. On the beach: Check out LUX.ME White Palace and Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort for sheer whitewashed bliss right on the beach. The five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. Set on an unspoiled beach, the resort offers bespoke suites and private bungalows with custom-made furniture and natural accents inspired by the landscape. Check Paleochora rooms and prices on Booking.com. Anissaras beach http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownieboy27/4986950206/in/set-72157624948245648 Report inappropriate content roseyManchester manchester Boutique and luxury: Cressa Corona Boutique Hotel is the best address in town. Elafonisi Lagoon is located on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. The beach is in a protected park and no development is allowed with 1km. For all intents and purposes its a real treasure. Its a 40-minute drive to Rethymno. An epic choice of restaurants and bars. The majority of Bahamian beaches are safely in "paradise on Earth" territory. . Dont expect anything in the way of amenities when you get there (its actually a nature reserve and is treated accordingly). 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. ". 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. A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! 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. Enter dates to see prices. Sfakia is the nearest town for amenities. " Clean, spacious rooms, quiet sandy beach with amazing panorama, pools of different sizes and located in different areas of the resort, great waterpark with many . 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. Stay in Ierapetra: The Cretan Villa Hotel is a handsome restored 18th century building, or try apartments like the Big Blue Suites. Value 4.1. See More, Experience luxury in abundance at this peninsula hotel with contemporary, stylish decor and sea views. 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. 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. Return to simpler times at this beautiful hideaway on Crete. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. But its also possible to use Plakias as a base for walking and hiking. Top things to see and do in Heraklion include: Ammoudara is the easiest beach to reach from the city the line 12 bus runs throughout the day. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. : Effi Apartments are a steal and right on the beach in Platanias. Most of the visitors are locals in the high summer months. A good selection of bars and restaurants. I think it time for a bring visit back! 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. Something of the original working fishing harbour feel remains, and traditional domatia and cheap cafes sit alongside bijou boutiques and expensive seafood restaurants. See More, Low-rise garden resort with immaculate seaside grounds. 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. The walk between these two areas is truly stunning, the path along the way is marked with cairns to guide your route thankfully as it is easy to get distracted by the views! So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. The 5-star hotels on the harbourfront are Scala de Faroand Domus Renier. Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. At Finikounda in south-western Peloponnese, it's a simple beach resort with honey-hued beaches, space for 80 campers, and 16 sizeable bungalows with their own bathrooms, cooking facilities. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. Location 3.9. Heading to the beautiful Greek island of Crete this year? All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom. Avli Luxury Apartments are sumptuously decorated and theres a rooftop pool. ; EAST: The beaches past Elia are beyond the reach of the bus and water taxi network so things calm down considerably. 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. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport. Belvedere Apartments are box fresh and have spa access. 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. The pink sands of Elafonisi are one of the main attractions in west Crete, with coachloads arriving every day to bathe in the glorious lagoon-like waters. Transfer time: 30 minutes from Heraklion airport. Elounda is located in east Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. Accommodation in Kissamos tends to look a bit dated but you can find good value in the surrounding beaches such as resort-style Balos Beach Hotel, Galini Beach Hotel, and the simpler Maria Beach Hotel. 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. Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chania. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. Mythology aside you can visit the ruins of the Minoan Zakros palace, which is a genuine archaeological site. Transfer time: 25 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 8. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati.