Sissi is located on the north coast of Crete a 40-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. 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. Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. Elegant, with a private beach, fine dining restaurants and an award-winning spa. Crete is filled with fine beaches, ancient treasures, dreamy villages, wonderful cuisine, and hospitable locals who hold their traditional culture in high regard. 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. 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. St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotels & Villas is a large 5* complex with direct beach access. Just dont expect to find authentic Crete here. ". 302 reviews. Its still a 30-minute drive from Sitia. Falassarna is located on the west coast of the island around a 2 hour 40 minute drive from Heraklion airport. Three fine dining restaurants, state of the art spa, private sandy beach. #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. Its a popular day-trip destination and the crowds somewhat marr the incredible natural landscape with its towering rock formations. The one we are talking about is ideal if youve decided to stay in or near Agios, as its just around the bay. Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. And theres an ancient Minoan site that youre likely to have to yourself. Some of the most beautiful and unique beaches are in the area nearby Damnoni is sandy with shallow clear waters, perfect for kids. The older part of town (Ano Hersonissos or Palia Hersonissos) is set back from the coast and has lots of little family-run tavernas. Luxury highlights: Domes Noruz in Kato Daratsa is the 5* pick beachfront location, private plunge pools and hot tubs are available. Something of the original working fishing harbour feel remains, and traditional domatia and cheap cafes sit alongside bijou boutiques and expensive seafood restaurants. But the rowdy bars are largely confined to one strip the Malia Mile, and the party doesnt start until later in the evening. Most of the accommodation in this area is in traditional rooms and studios. These hikes can be strenuous and at some moments, hair-raising but they are well maintained. The local fare in many of the harbour tavernas is about as close as you can come to freshness, maybe even caught meters from where you sit. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. The Royal Blue Resort. #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. But almost every island has at least a few great swimming beaches. This area is perfect for beach lovers (although its worth noting that the main beach does get very windy). Go in the shoulder months and youll be rewarded with a day trip to remember. Crete is almost completely surrounded by beaches. per night. On a budget? 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. If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. Check out Aspri Petra Apartments or Asterias Village. As with the other northern cities, it has a Venetian Fortress (the Kazarma) and an Archaeological Museum. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. Boasting four stars, rooms are dressed in a traditional style; premium linens complement exposed stone walls and the best suites have terraces with sea views. There is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. Lovely beaches, ideal for a romantic break or family holiday. Theres no real village to speak of, but there are a few places to stay tucked away in the flat plain behind the beach. Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chania. The beaches here are small but this helps to keep the crowds away. 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. There are of resort hotels in Bali strung out along the coast many are looking a bit dated but there are a few standouts. If you are staying one or more nights, you dont need to worry about thumping music or all-night parties. The lagoon itself is actually an island that can be reached by paddling out to it. Its a windswept and low-key kind of place, with remnants of a hippie vibe. "The location is perfect as is one of the best beaches on the island, being quiet yet with locals around, and close enough to the Venetian Harbour for day or evening trips.". 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. " 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 . Several of Eloundas top luxury hotels are actually in Plaka, so read the section above if you havent already. Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. Set on an unspoiled beach, the resort offers bespoke suites and private bungalows with custom-made furniture and natural accents inspired by the landscape. 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. 17. Chora Sfakion: A few upmarket options here such as the No Problem Luxury Suite (it has a bathtub), and the excellent value Livikon Hotel and Samaria Hotel which both have fresh white and blue decor and seaview balconies. It has a sand-and-pebble beach and a handful of good tavernas to choose from. Mexico is one of those well-rounded countries that offer a little bit of everything: food, culture, gorgeous landscapes, and some of the best hotels and resorts in the entire world. 1. It can be as quiet or as rowdy as you like. 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. Transfer time: 1hr 40 minutes from Chania International airport. See More, Luxury beach resort just minutes from Agios Nikolaos. On the harbour: If youre after a harbourfront hotel with a sea views balcony just bear in mind that noise and light from the restaurants below go on until late. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Inland Heraklion region is home to farmland and vineyards, whereas the coastline spreading east from Heraklion is also the most developed on Crete, and home to its most famous (and infamous resorts). There are so many luxury hotels in Elounda that its impossible to list them all. The beaches in the Rethymno province are some of the best not as dramatic as the west coast, but long and sandy and perfect for long, lazy beach days. Beach Life - The property has a private beach area (complete with an open-air cineam in the evenings) - ideal for a quiet beach getaway. 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. Youll find the standard Greek beachside fare if you want to have a halftime break, and nestled in its backstreets are a multitude of boutique-style shops selling some handmade, and some not-so-handmade trinkets. 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. On the beach: Check out LUX.ME White Palace and Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort for sheer whitewashed bliss right on the beach. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. See More, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies this luxury Cretan resort in Malia. Boutique and luxury: Cressa Corona Boutique Hotel is the best address in town. In the small grid of streets behind the main beach, you will find souvenir shops, mini-markets, and small hotels/rooms to let. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. " 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 . 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. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. 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. 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 famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. On the Venetian harbour: is the 5 star Ambassadors Residence which has rooftop hot tubs. 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. This 5* property offers boutique accommodation decorated in a typically Mediterranean fashion and with either a private plunge pool or hot tub. Its a relaxed resort town (well compared to its busier neighbours) and if you want a no-nonsense turn-up and relax on the beach holiday then this is a good choice. Kalamaki is a relatively new town in Crete, it has more of a purpose-built feel to it. Perhaps, Domatas unspoiled beauty has been preserved this long because the region has no roads or infrastructures. Mount Ida is the tallest peak of the range, named after the daughter of the King of Crete according to Greek mythology. There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. The beach is a mix of shingle and sand, and the water is crystal clear and calm. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. But there are many places offering rooms and studios at a great price. The main airports in Crete are Chania International and Heraklion International, both well served by budget airlines. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. Although elements of the walk can be tiring, its most definitely worth it. A wonderful place to visit and stay in Crete! Numerous beautiful beaches with soft sand or colored pebbles are found in the prefecture of Chania in western Crete. Top attractions and things to do in Chania include: Head west from the main harbour to hit the town beaches Nea Chora is the closest and a 15-minute walk, Chryssi Akti is the nicest. With all these unique and unforgettable experiences lying across the island of Crete, it is hard not to feel guilty for so easily dismissing it into the realm of partying, disco balls, and all-nighters. Concur with these, we love Crete. Theres plenty to keep older children entertained, including watersports and boat trips. Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. 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. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Besides the beach, guests gather at the Olympic-sized pool and water park with a big slides for older kids and adults. Although almost every main beach gets busy in July and August, you can usually walk just a few minutes away to find a patch of heaven sans crowds. 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. Mykonos is relatively small and you can easily drive around in a day. See More, A stylish modern hotel with spacious one-bedroom suites with a separate living room and great views over the ocean. Other options include Hotel Loutro Bay,SifisandDaskalogiannis Hotel. Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. Slap bang in the middle of the northern coastline, the city of Heraklion (also spelt Iraklio or Iraklion) is the capital and its surrounding coastline is some of the busiest and most developed on Crete. Sifaka & Gavaladon 5, Old Town, Chania, Crete Island, 73101. This ultra-luxurious haven combines the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. Agios Nikolaos, Or just Agios if you prefer, is a bustling town and working port. Luxurious rooms, suites and villas - most with private heated pools - boast stunning views and top notch amenities. All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom. 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. There are still many quieter, less commercialized resorts, villages, and secluded coves to explore and more hidden locations that are barely touched by tourism. 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. It doesnt matter where you go you will always find greenery spots. Agia Roumeli: Lots of budget rooms all around the same price point thanks to the proliferation of walkers tryAgia Roumeli Hotel or Gigilos which are both right on the beach. See More, Set in an out-of-this-world location right on the Cretan seafront. Suites have private pools. But the lagoon beach is known to many island regulars, and gets busy on a summer weekend. Although be warned, the walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. Oceanview Designer Beach House (4 guests): $300/night. If you like your beaches vast and often deserted then make a beeline for Frangokastello on the south coast. But the highlight is the peaceful and picture-perfect sugar cube village of Loutro, with its whitewashed walls and electric blue seas. The beaches arent huge so they do get busy; Bali is larger than it looks and popular with the package tourism crowd and daytrippers from the wider area. Its a 40-minute drive to Rethymno. The outskirts of Hersonissos are home to some of Cretes swankiest 5* resort hotels. Not overly touristy (though all the amenities are present), it has a working town feel albeit one with an Ottoman mosque, Venetian Fortress, and Blue Flag Beach. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati. She counts supping on Bloody Marys on a rooftop in Manhattan, downing Singapore slings at the Raffles Hotel, daring a paraglide on the Grand Cayman, spending an exotic Christmas in Malaysia and exploring the Angkor Wat, Cambodia as her all time favourite travel moments. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. Most hotels and rooms in Matala are simple and value. Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete. 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. Take a 15-minute walk uphill from the main town and you will find Koutouloufari and Piskopiano, two traditional villages that are increasingly popular for upmarket accommodation options. GBP $ USD EUR $ AUD $ CAD. Brilliant choice of restaurants, easy to book each morning Popi the waitress in the main Cosmos restaurant was so att." Mykonos has the best beach clubs (and nightlife). Theres a regular bus to Heraklion, and its possible to reach Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos for day trips too. Theres an excellent selection of tavernas, and its a short drive to Agios Nikolaos for city delights. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. Grecotel Meli Palace and Kalimera Kriti Resort both have direct beach access. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( 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". The main town in the region is likeable Agios Nikolaos (or Ag Nik, as its affectionately known), which makes up the quartet of north coast main cities. Transfer time: 15-45 minutes from Chania International airport. Each of these areas offers exceptional hotels, fantastic dining, and a wide range of nearby . Service 4.3. Blue Palace Elounda 9. It has the same old-world charms with its colourful Venetian harbourfront, relics of Turkish rule, student population, and tangle of tiny alleys. An epic choice of restaurants and bars. It does attract some tourists, mainly from the continent. Margarites is located in the very centre of the island of Crete, its an unspoiled village surrounded by the vibrant green hills of the Rethymnon region and is as well known for its picturesque panorama as it is for its extensive pottery trade. Its an easy and cheap bus ride to Knoss from Heraklion. } 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. There are enough family-run tavernas and seafood restaurants that you can eat out somewhere different every night for a fortnight. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { #8 Best Value of 35 Exclusive Resorts in Crete. The hotel is all-inclusive but the food was of excellent quality." Breakfast included 2022 4. On the beautiful beach of Kolymbari, 20 km from the city of Chania, lies Grand Bay Beach Resort. Nearby is the Palace of Malia, one of the best Minoan ruins on the island. Honeymoons - A haven of tranquility with private villas with mountian and sea views, spoiling massages and haute cuisine overlooking the bay. Its known for its big waves, fishing heritage, and seafood tavernas set around a small crescent of beach. Palazzo Duca is one block behind the harbour and is clean and modern with comfortable Cocomat mattresses. Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. Most of the beach is lined with tavernas, cafes and bars, but with easy acces to the city. 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 Greek islands with the best beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. Small ferry boats make the run over to Spinalonga from both Plaka and Elounda. 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. . Dont expect anything in the way of amenities when you get there (its actually a nature reserve and is treated accordingly). One of the main things to do in Heraklion is to catch a ferry to visit Santorini, Mykonos and other places. The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. If it gets a bit too quiet for you, Diskos is only around the corner, where tented villagers of camping earthy types take up half the beach, and you can buy handmade trinkets from pop-up hippy shops. See More, Impressive luxury resort, totally insulated from the outside world in semi-tropical gardens. But it would be a shame to miss out on the excellent tavernas in Panormo. 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. 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. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. Very good. This is tucked away in a remote pocket of Crete's south-western corner, so you could be forgiven for thinking you might have it all to yourself. !" Breakfast included 2022 2. A typical routine is to eat dinner in the old village and then head down towards the waterfront for evening drinks. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. For all intents and purposes its a real treasure. A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! Cool or what? And Plakias now has a youth hostel! After a day at the (pebble) beach, you can step out in your Sunday best and pace up and down the walkway paralleling the seafront whilst wondering if you have time to look at the menu before you are accosted by the occupants (Im joking, they are lovely and generally friendly more than pushy). Its not perhaps as quaint as some of the other places on this list but what it lacks in tradition it more than makes up for in swankiness and still manages to retain an air of what makes Crete so great. 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)! Whitewashed and chic Cyano Hotel is the best place to stay in Plakias rooms are spotless, the beds are comfy, and its a short walk to the shops and beach. There are a few large all-inclusive hotels in Panormo Iberostar Creta Marine and Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare being two of the larger ones. . Balos Beach is one of the best beaches in Greece if you want that fine white sand aesthetic. Few make it out this far, despite its calling card the impressive (but empty) Venetian castle on its shore. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. There are few roads in the area, and some of the villages are accessible only by boat. 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. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. 26. The KTEL bus station is in the new town, a 10-minute walk from the main harbour see PDF timetables. Excellent Mediterranean dishes are served up in the restaurants. The LATO Boutique Hotel is more modern and has harbour views. Plaka is located on the coast on the east of Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. The village itself is loaded with a rich history, including a museum which houses finds of Minoan archaeological importance found nearby and you can hear tales about the towns colourful past and folklore in the many local tavernas. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. It feels a little like the end of the known world, and Sfakions are known for their fierce independence and excellent cheese pies. It lacks the sweeping white sand of some of our other suggestions, but it also lacks the footfall, making it ideal for a day trip.