There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. However, dont let that put you off. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. The vibe is family-friendly thanks to its sheltered bay which is lined with a number of traditional tavernas. Show Prices. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. Lasithi, the easternmost province of Crete, is home to some of its most luxurious hotels as well as its wildest and most traditional areas. 9. Try the spotless Marina Hotel, or the beautiful white and blue decor and sea views atElektra. 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. Some of the beach resorts along Rethymnon beach include: The area around Platanes is popular and sandy. Set on an unspoiled beach, the resort offers bespoke suites and private bungalows with custom-made furniture and natural accents inspired by the landscape. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. BEST LUXURY HOTELS: Lindos Blu, Casa Cook Rhodes, Boutique 5 Hotel and Spa BEST BUDGET HOTEL RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Delfini Beach Hotel BEST VILLAS: Kiotari Beach Villa, Axiotheaton Villas, SeaSide Suites BEST RESORT HOTELS FOR FAMILIES: Hotel Porto Angeli Beach Resort, Atlantica Aegean Family Resort, Rodos Princess Resort & Spa Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! 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. There are plenty of options for self-catered too, likeVilla Niki. Most visitors wont venture far outside the old town, the nexus of which is the pretty 14th-century Venetian harbourfront, but surrounding it is a decent-sized the modern university city with a year-round population of 60,000 people. A small town located on a small peninsula in southwest Crete, Paleochora is ideal if you want a bit of both. These vary greatly depending on the region and location: Snow white sand alternates with shell sand and fine gravel. Anissaras beach http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownieboy27/4986950206/in/set-72157624948245648 Report inappropriate content roseyManchester manchester Accommodation is spacious and secluded, the best options have heated seawater pools, but all are utterly indulgent. Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. There are two routes to the beach by boat or for the most extreme, there is a path from Chora Sfakion and another from Loutro. 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. Malia can be a great option for cheap last minute packages keep an eye on Lastminute.com for deals. 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. 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. #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. Historically all of the tourist accommodation has been outside the city in the summer resorts. 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. Theres a wide selection of accommodation, easy transport links, a short airport transfer, and child-friendly shallow waters. Agia Roumeli is the most visited village in the area as it forms the exit point for the popular Samaria Gorge hike every day in the summer hundreds pop out of the gorge and onto a ferry to X where they can reconnect with the road system. T Hotel Premium Suites is the most comfortable place in town. Its known for its big waves, fishing heritage, and seafood tavernas set around a small crescent of beach. Crete has some of Greece's best sandy beaches - many far from developed areas, so you can truly enjoy a remote holiday on the sand. See More, Set in an out-of-this-world location right on the Cretan seafront. It is famous for its never-ending stretch of sand, fabulous sunsets and peaceful atmosphere. Elounda is a good middle ground for those who dont want utter isolation, but still want to keep their break fairly relaxed. Each of these areas offers exceptional hotels, fantastic dining, and a wide range of nearby . For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. Theres a regular bus to Heraklion, and its possible to reach Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos for day trips too. Agree a time with him and he'll come back for you later. ); And its one of the warmest places in the Mediterranean in winter. The resort offers 75 airy and well appointed rooms and suites fully equipped with satellite TV and minibar. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. } Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. Transfer time: 2 hours 30 minutes from Heraklion International airport. It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. 5km south of Plaka is the small beach town of Elounda, one of Cretes most characterful resorts and home to some of its premier luxury hotels. Outside Heraklion centre is the vast and swanky kid-friendly resort Amirandes Hotel. 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! All rooms come with an outdoor pool and private hot tubs. 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 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. Crete is a large island the fifth largest in the Mediterranean and you can find whatever youre looking for in each region. Bozzali. All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom. 3,851 reviews. Boat trips to Balos leave from the harbour. The famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. Discover our best beaches of Crete: Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna in Chania, Preveli in Rethymno, Vai in Lassithi, and more. There is also a domestic airport in Sitia with flights from Athens. The one thing I would highly recommend is getting sea shoes as there are sea urchins on the rocks!! Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. 9.8/5 (157 reviews) "The bed was so comfortable. There's a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, a small spa, and a restaurant. 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. Concur with these, we love Crete. !" Breakfast included 2022 2. The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. . { On a budget? Access to this haven can be achieved through E4 trail but the climb can be treacherous in places as it climbs to an altitude of 700m, so its not for the fainthearted but on arrival, you will no doubt agree that this is one of the finest beaches in all the Greek islands. Blue Palace Luxury Collection has views across to Spinalonga, an extensive spa, and direct access to a pebble beach. Even the briefest of strolls through the village will showcase many of the wonderful pottery studios. 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. Elounda is a lively harbour town thats surrounded by beautiful scenery and a sandy Blue Flag town beach. 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. Up until fairly recently, Elafonisi was one of Cretes best-kept secrets, sadly social media selfie-lovers got a firm grasp of it, so it can get seriously busy in the high seasons. Transfer time: 35 minutes from Heraklion airport. Big Sur's craggy cliffs are breathtaking, but for an equally beautiful and less crowded California alternative, try this quiet spot tucked between Monterey and Carmel. But there are plenty of alternatives if your budget doesnt stretch quite that far, have a look at Blue Bay Resort Hotel, Peninsula Resort Hotel, Pela Mare, Seascape Luxury Residences, and Acro Wellness Suites. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. What really amazed when I was in Crete was how quiet it is. To the west of Sitia is the small coastal village of Mochlos which sports two islets with Minoan excavations. In the small grid of streets behind the main beach, you will find souvenir shops, mini-markets, and small hotels/rooms to let. You can always visit the amazing chapel of Prophet Elias. } Palazzo Duca is one block behind the harbour and is clean and modern with comfortable Cocomat mattresses. Atlantica Kalliston Resort. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. 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. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. Bored of sunning yourself? 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. Plakias is one of the nicest small resorts on Crete. A small village consisting simply of a few hotels and tavernas, shops and restaurants, and a church, but what Loutro lacks in modernity it makes up for in nostalgia and panorama. This amazing place is like the Caribbean side of Crete. Off the beaten track, this tranquil hotel is ideal for a simple seaside holiday for families. 1. 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. Top things to see and do in Agios Nikolaos include: Porto Maltese Boutique Estate is Ag Niks most stylish des res, with a waterfront location, courtyard, and sympathetic restoration. Sumptuous suites and villas have cool contemporary interiors and fabulous sea views, and many with their own private pool. The prices in Hersonissos are very competitive, partially to lure customers out of the many all-inclusive hotels in the area. See More, Domes Noruz Chania boasts a spectacular location on the coast of Crete. Transfer time: 1hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. The modern rooms boast private balconies overlooking the bay, gardens or pool. Sougia is located on the South West Coast of Crete around 3 hour and 20-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Enter dates to see prices. The Ottoman influence is front and centre at the Hamam Oriental Suites, housed in a former hammam building some rooms have hot tubs. } Fantastic food served up and two bars for you to try out. Transfer time: 1hr 45 minutes from Chania International airport. Boasting unspoilt bay views, life plays out on a different tempo here. Head west for quieter beaches at Amnisos or Tobrouk. And you can find amazing rock formations nearby at Souda such as Calypso Bay. An award winning restaurant, a superb wine list and a well-known spa on site. If you like your beaches vast and often deserted then make a beeline for Frangokastello on the south coast. Other options include Hotel Loutro Bay,SifisandDaskalogiannis Hotel. Several celebrities (including Brad and Angelina in happier days) have been spotted walking on its sandy shores, this combined with it being a hotspot for European dignitaries just adds to the appeal. 26. 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. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. Theres an excellent selection of tavernas, and its a short drive to Agios Nikolaos for city delights. But almost every island has at least a few great swimming beaches. There are a few large all-inclusive hotels in Panormo Iberostar Creta Marine and Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare being two of the larger ones. Its located on the western end of the north coast, withpeaks of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) providing a dramatic backdrop. On a budget? This is Crete off-the-beaten-track. There are a number of hotels right on the beach such as the modern and comfortable Sofia Hotel. Libyan Princess is the most comfortable and modern hotel on the block. Balos Beach is one of the best beaches in Greece if you want that fine white sand aesthetic. 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. A collection of understated luxury rooms and bungalows are elegantly decorated with simple white walls and minimalist artworks. See More, Blue Palace, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies the luxury, Equally swish and perhaps just that little bit smarter the. Set in landscaped tropical gardens, it has 7 pools, a spa, and access to a rocky private beach. And Plakias now has a youth hostel! Most of the visitors are locals in the high summer months. The smaller of the two beaches, Small Triopetra (or Koumado), is more an enclosed, sandy, and rocky bay. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews.
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