The main village is set 1km back from the beach and is a popular area for villas and expats. 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. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. In addition to 14 freshwater outdoor and indoor pools, it has a 350-meter beach with umbrellas, beach chairs, water sports (for a fee), beach volleyball, and beach parties hosted by the entertainment team. Crete Beach Resorts: Find 55281 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Oceanfront Hotels in Crete on Tripadvisor. Lyttos Mare 5. Plakias is one of the nicest small resorts on Crete. The smaller of the two beaches, Small Triopetra (or Koumado), is more an enclosed, sandy, and rocky bay. Although elements of the walk can be tiring, its most definitely worth it. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. 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. The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. Stay in Ierapetra: The Cretan Villa Hotel is a handsome restored 18th century building, or try apartments like the Big Blue Suites. Astoria Hotel is a small family-run hotel with sea views and coastal decor. Courgette balls, broad beans, moussaka and mezedakia. 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. 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 is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. The nearest rooms are a few miles away try the sereneGlykeria Hoteland Elafonisi Resort. I just want to mention dont confuse your Plakas, as there are two, one of which is inhabited and built purely for ex-pats. Most of the beach is lined with tavernas, cafes and bars, but with easy acces to the city. 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. 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. Pick the Nana Princess in Hersonissos for a relaxing getaway. Rapid growth resulted in some dense development around the small harbour, and the small beach is a 10-minute walk out of the village. Beach balls aside there is more to Plakias than sand and sunshine. 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)! Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. Its a 40-minute drive to Rethymno. It has the same old-world charms with its colourful Venetian harbourfront, relics of Turkish rule, student population, and tangle of tiny alleys. There are many dining options from Greek to Italian and the four bars serve up wonderful cocktails. Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chania. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. 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. 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. BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. 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. It has a sand-and-pebble beach and a handful of good tavernas to choose from. Heading to the beautiful Greek island of Crete this year? There is the standard selection of resort hotels in the surrounding coastal areas stylish Cretan Malia Park is one of the best, with beachfront access, boho chic decor, and family-friendly facilities. Elounda is a good middle ground for those who dont want utter isolation, but still want to keep their break fairly relaxed. #1 Best Value of 80 Beach Resorts in Crete "Highlights were Excellent, clean sandy beach and lot of sun beds on beach, around pools etc. 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. There are several beaches that you can reach by foot, and as the crowds thin out you can still find a few nudist beaches. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. 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. Panormos is located on the North Coast of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Mount Ida is the tallest peak of the range, named after the daughter of the King of Crete according to Greek mythology. 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. Try the spotless Marina Hotel, or the beautiful white and blue decor and sea views atElektra. THE 10 BEST Crete Resorts of 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor A spoiling stay. of the rooms, the quality of the beach. 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. Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection 6. If you're looking for a quiet, isolated experience . 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. Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. 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. But it would be a shame to miss out on the excellent tavernas in Panormo. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. Crete is almost completely surrounded by beaches. 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. 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. 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. 8. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. If you want to meet other travellers there are two hostels in town Intra Muros and So Young, but private rooms in traditional domatia or apartments can be foundfor a similar price. 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. 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. It does attract some tourists, mainly from the continent. Giannoulis - Grand Bay Beach Resort (Exclusive Adults Only) Kolymvari. 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. The best of the rest are: Creta Blue Boutique Hotel & Suites, Villa Ippocampi,Casa Bianca Boutique Hotel,Abaton Island Resort & Spa, Cooks Club. Glyka Nera is located on the south coast of Crete a 2 hour 30 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. Milatos is a small and low-key beach resort just beyond Sissi. There are plenty of options for self-catered too, likeVilla Niki. 1. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. Most likely, it will only be you, the sound of the lapping water, the bristling sun and the rustle of the pine trees. Sifaka & Gavaladon 5, Old Town, Chania, Crete Island, 73101. On a budget? The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. "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.". The best beaches and coves in Crete incl. insider tips - Corissia See More, An ultra-luxurious haven combining the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. Transfer time: 15 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Theres plenty to keep older children entertained, including watersports and boat trips. 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. 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 nation boasts nearly 5,800 miles of coastline, stretching along the warm Gulf of Mexico to the east and the . Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. Palm-fringed Preveli is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches on Crete. But the highlight is the peaceful and picture-perfect sugar cube village of Loutro, with its whitewashed walls and electric blue seas. Oceanfront Home With Views (7 guests): $325/night. Transfer time: 1hr 45 minutes from Chania International airport. 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. Libyan Princess is the most comfortable and modern hotel on the block. Georgioupolis Resort Aquapark & Spa offers a unique holiday experience to those that want to enjoy the incomparable Greek Hospitality whilst seeking top quality services in a relaxing environment, excellent gastronomy as well as a . 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. It gets very popular and usually attracts people who go there for clubbing. A good selection of bars and restaurants. Sougia is located on the South West Coast of Crete around 3 hour and 20-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. But at the end of the day, Mexico will always be known as a beach destination - and for good reason. Therefore it can be easier to decide on arrival airport/port first, or any attractions that you particularly want to visit, in order to narrow down where to stay. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. #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. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. Its super sedate. 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. Including the five star beach resorts, family friendly hotels on Crete and great value finds. Very good. Best Quiet Resort - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. Apart from organized beaches in Chania Greece, there are also plenty of deserted coves and lovely bays to enjoy total privacy. Mythology aside you can visit the ruins of the Minoan Zakros palace, which is a genuine archaeological site. All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom.