Numerous beautiful beaches with soft sand or colored pebbles are found in the prefecture of Chania in western Crete. 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). 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. Several of Eloundas top luxury hotels are actually in Plaka, so read the section above if you havent already. Nana Princess Suites Villas & Spa 2. 5* Minos Beach Art Hotel has 1km of beach access, spacious grounds, and calming minimalist decor. Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chania. Take a dip in the courtyard pool; a stylish seaside hotel. This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. (function() { 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. Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. Palm-fringed Preveli is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches on Crete. However, dont let that put you off. A spoiling beach treat! Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection Show prices Enter dates to see prices There are plenty of options for self-catered too, likeVilla Niki. Captains House is in a traditional building by the waterfront a friendly welcome, fantastic sea views, and comfy beds. 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 beaches here are small but this helps to keep the crowds away. Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. Show prices. The long-distance hiking route passes through the area, and there are several smaller gorges and empty beaches such as Sweetwater to discover. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. The lazy river was a particular highlight. The area is popular with locals, which should tell you something, and as a result, the beachside cuisine in the local tavernas is to a pretty high standard. It is home to a substantial palm date forest, which is accessible by foot or by car. The one thing I would highly recommend is getting sea shoes as there are sea urchins on the rocks!! 3,851 reviews. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. Show Prices. Panormos is the first beach resort that you hit east of Rethymnon that has a proper village feel and isnt just an outpost of the city. What was once a small Greek village has now become a cosmopolitan town, with bars, restaurants and hotels surrounding picturesque Lake Voulismeni. Packages to Stalis are available through TUI. 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. See More, Luxury beach resort just minutes from Agios Nikolaos. Although elements of the walk can be tiring, its most definitely worth it. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. The Troulis Apart-hotel is excellent value. An award winning restaurant, a superb wine list and a well-known spa on site. 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. Total bliss. Courgette balls, broad beans, moussaka and mezedakia. The LATO Boutique Hotel is more modern and has harbour views. event : evt, For those who dont fancy a steep, heady climb on their holidays, it is possible to hire a fishing boat in Agia Roumeli to take you to Domata. 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. Naxos has the best beaches (but little nightlife). However, if you would like to sit outside one of its handful of tavernas with a carafe of the local red and a plate of vine leaves then this is the quiet place to visit in Crete for you! Be aware that roads and bus routes in the south are sparse, its easier to plan an itinerary that takes in one region or travels along the north coast. There are a number of hotels right on the beach such as the modern and comfortable Sofia Hotel. Brilliant choice of restaurants, easy to book each morning Popi the waitress in the main Cosmos restaurant was so att." Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. Apart from organized beaches in Chania Greece, there are also plenty of deserted coves and lovely bays to enjoy total privacy. A classy, modern hotel. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. ; EAST: The beaches past Elia are beyond the reach of the bus and water taxi network so things calm down considerably. The 680-room Creta Maris Beach Resort is a beachfront all-inclusive resort a 10-minute walk from Limenas Hersonissos village. A network of small ferries connects Paleochora and Sfakia at either end, with the villages of Sougia, Agia Roumeli, and Loutro, and the island of Gavdos to the south. 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. 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. Crete is almost completely surrounded by beaches. 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. 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. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next beach break? 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. Agios Nikolaos has four sandy beaches though theyre all a little way out of the city Kitroplateira is the most central, Almiros is the nicest. Falassarna is located on the west coast of the island around a 2 hour 40 minute drive from Heraklion airport. Return to simpler times at this beautiful hideaway on Crete. Accommodation is spacious and secluded, the best options have heated seawater pools, but all are utterly indulgent. Euphoria Resort 7. { #14 of 51 hotels in Georgioupolis. It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. })(); 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. The further out, the quieter it gets. One of the most beautiful cities in all of Greece, Chania is unsurprisingly a popular tourist destination. 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. per night. (178 reviews) "Very difficult to find in the Dark, as the entrance is down a dark alley, and the sins aren't lit up. Outside Heraklion centre is the vast and swanky kid-friendly resort Amirandes Hotel. The five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. 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. See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. There are several beaches that you can reach by foot, and as the crowds thin out you can still find a few nudist beaches. Show Prices. But the highlight is the peaceful and picture-perfect sugar cube village of Loutro, with its whitewashed walls and electric blue seas. With the exception of Paleochora, that is. There are also plenty of boat trips are available from its harbour. Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Chania International airport. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. If finding tucked-away coves and exploring craggy rocks appeals to you then Milatos a small quaint Crete village may be the place for you. Good value rooms and family-run studios abound check rooms and availability on Booking.com. on: function(evt, cb) { The nearest rooms are a few miles away try the sereneGlykeria Hoteland Elafonisi Resort. Where to Stay on Corfu: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Kefalonia: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Lefkada: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Zakynthos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Skiathos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Rhodes: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Mallorca: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Ibiza: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on Menorca: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide, Where to Stay on the Turkish Coast: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide. 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. But it would be a shame to miss out on the excellent tavernas in Panormo. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. Check out cheery Sunday Life. 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. 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. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. Elounda is a lively harbour town thats surrounded by beautiful scenery and a sandy Blue Flag town beach. 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. " 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 . The prices in Hersonissos are very competitive, partially to lure customers out of the many all-inclusive hotels in the area. On a budget? Few make it out this far, despite its calling card the impressive (but empty) Venetian castle on its shore. Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. 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. 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. Transfer time: 2 hours 30 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. 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. 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. The city has an airport which makes this place a number one spot to start exploring the area. 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. Transfer time: 1hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. 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. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. See More, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies this luxury Cretan resort in Malia. Three excellent restaurants, salt water pools and an extensive spa complete the picture on this luxe stay. 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. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. Giannoulis - Grand Bay Beach Resort (Exclusive Adults Only) Kolymvari. 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. Elounda is located in east Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. There are still many quieter, less commercialized resorts, villages, and secluded coves to explore and more hidden locations that are barely touched by tourism. Its unsurprisingly popular with returnees. Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel Show prices Enter dates to see prices 202 reviews Some beaches are considered 'insider tips' among locals and tourists and can only be reached on foot, while other beach areas regularly host large numbers of sun-hungry visitors. Boat trips to Balos leave from the harbour. 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. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. !" Breakfast included 2022 2. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. The one we are talking about is ideal if youve decided to stay in or near Agios, as its just around the bay. Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort 3. There are some bars, but they are more likely to be full of civilised locals than your standard 18-30 gangs. This 5* property offers boutique accommodation decorated in a typically Mediterranean fashion and with either a private plunge pool or hot tub. Agree a time with him and he'll come back for you later. Z Boutique Hotel has comfortable rooms and a small pool. The small city of Sitia is a working port town with a pleasant seafront promenade, a sandy town beach, and a slow lifestyle. Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. 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. Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. Suites and private villas have personal pools. 302 reviews. Plenty of suites and private villas have pools. Yes: Sougia is the best quiet beach in Crete, without a doubt. See More, A stylish modern hotel with spacious one-bedroom suites with a separate living room and great views over the ocean. Transfer time: 20 minutes from Heraklion International airport. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. #1 Best Value of 80 Beach Resorts in Crete . Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! Very good. Theres no real village to speak of, but there are a few places to stay tucked away in the flat plain behind the beach. A small collection of traditional stone cottages make the perfect base for families. The KTEL bus station is in the new town, a 10-minute walk from the main harbour see PDF timetables. 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. There are many dining options from Greek to Italian and the four bars serve up wonderful cocktails. It doesnt matter where you go you will always find greenery spots. Palazzo Duca is one block behind the harbour and is clean and modern with comfortable Cocomat mattresses. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. The resorts here are some of the nicest places to stay on Crete. Rethymno Beach is also one of Cretes most important turtle nesting grounds. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. The landscape is dry and barren, and the beaches largely empty. #8 Best Value of 35 Exclusive Resorts in Crete. 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. See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The Spinalonga peninsula is connected to the town by a causeway the peninsula curves right around and the UNESCO-listed island sits at its tip, creating a natural harbour sheltered from the elements. Transfer time: 35 minutes from Heraklion airport. T Hotel Premium Suites is the most comfortable place in town. 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. Transfer time: Ierapetra minutes from Heraklion airport, Makrigialos 1 hr 50 minutes from Heraklion airport. A luxurious hideaway near Rethymnon. Luxury highlights: Domes Noruz in Kato Daratsa is the 5* pick beachfront location, private plunge pools and hot tubs are available. 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! Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete. 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. Chania (pronounced Hania and sometimes spelt Xania), with its old Venetian streets, is the gem of Crete and its nicest city. Its a windswept and low-key kind of place, with remnants of a hippie vibe. Large rooms offer mountain views or sea views from the large glass windows. The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Gates where the sides of the gorge close into a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of almost 300 meters. Blue Palace Elounda 9. If youre used to staying in small villages then you may find Bali too busy and commercialised. If you are staying one or more nights, you dont need to worry about thumping music or all-night parties. No roads lead here and there are no nightclubs or nightlife. Oceanview Designer Beach House (4 guests): $300/night. Private sandy beach, and fantastic facilties for all the family including a luxury spa and kids club. This area is perfect for beach lovers (although its worth noting that the main beach does get very windy). It is truly non-commercialised, and we hope it stays that way. The Ottoman influence is front and centre at the Hamam Oriental Suites, housed in a former hammam building some rooms have hot tubs. The resort boasts an outdoor hot tub. A spoiling stay. 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. Transfer time: 15-45 minutes from Chania International airport. If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. . Its raw beauty is undeniable, with glassy aquamarine waters and swirls of pastel-pink sands kissing the shore - a natural phenomenon caused by thousands of . See More, A modern North Western Crete resort and spa, surrounded by acres of lush landscaped gardens. 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. Theres plenty to keep older children entertained, including watersports and boat trips. The resort offers 75 airy and well appointed rooms and suites fully equipped with satellite TV and minibar. All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom. It attracts a younger crowd than Agia Galini, more families and independent travellers. The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. Loutro:Porto Loutro On the Hill has the best position with balcony rooms looking out over the bay. Plaka has a lovely beach, especially lovely if you dont like sand getting everywhere, as its made from pebbles. And Plakias now has a youth hostel! Beach balls aside there is more to Plakias than sand and sunshine. Sissi is located on the north coast of Crete a 40-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Meanwhile, the main beach of the area, West Triopetra or Chatzi, is characterised by beautiful coarse sand which casts unusual colours across the beach and water. They get progressively smaller, more village-like and quieter the further out you get. ". 9. Minos Beach Art Hotel Agios Nikolaos, Crete 129 rooms from 336. 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. Atlantica Kalliston Resort. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. 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. Agiofarago Beach / Best Beaches in Crete Agiofarago Beach is the perfect beach in Crete if you want to sidestep the crowds. 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. A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! The south is wild and remote with a spectacularly rocky coast and a few standout beach resorts. For a private beach, an award-winning spa and fine dining, try the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. The lagoon itself is actually an island that can be reached by paddling out to it. The harbourfront is lined with restaurants and smart boutiques, and the narrow alleys filled with souvenir shops, and the colourful tables and twinkly lights of tavernas vying for your trade. Its a bit of a trek from Chania airport, so if youre going, fly to Heraklion. Inside the old town: for historic charm check outBozzali Hotel with its whitewashed decor and cute courtyard, whereas Casa Delfino offers a modern take on the traditional Venetian mansion. The 5-star hotels on the harbourfront are Scala de Faroand Domus Renier. Sfakia is the nearest town for amenities. callback: cb Bali is roughly halfway between Rethymno and Heraklion there are bus services both but not as frequent as other resorts. And theres an ancient Minoan site that youre likely to have to yourself. 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. The main tourist street is Odos Halidon, which divides the old and new city. The older part of town (Ano Hersonissos or Palia Hersonissos) is set back from the coast and has lots of little family-run tavernas. Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. Most of the accommodation in this area is in traditional rooms and studios. 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. This amazing place is like the Caribbean side of Crete. If you have a mix of old and young children or value convenience then Stalis is a solid option. Head west for quieter beaches at Amnisos or Tobrouk. 26. 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. Most hotels and rooms in Matala are simple and value. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { It can be as quiet or as rowdy as you like. 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. Check Paleochora rooms and prices on Booking.com. Lyttos Mare 5. Honeymoons - A haven of tranquility with private villas with mountian and sea views, spoiling massages and haute cuisine overlooking the bay. Some of the beach resorts along Rethymnon beach include: The area around Platanes is popular and sandy. Both a beautiful and quiet place to visit in Crete. With a summer season lasting well into October September is still considered high season and almost tropical-warmth seas at the height of summer, Crete has one of Europe's longest beach-holiday seasons.
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