A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! event : evt, Another sleepy Crete village, Tsoutsouros is undeveloped and charming (just how we like it). 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. In the small grid of streets behind the main beach, you will find souvenir shops, mini-markets, and small hotels/rooms to let. ". It attracts a younger crowd than Agia Galini, more families and independent travellers. A luxury beach holiday. Those in search of the original 60s free-spirited vibe will be disappointed (though try nearby Red Beach), but Matala is a fun seaside town and is a good choice for younger couples looking for somewhere lively and photogenic. The scenery as you traverse the coast road with steep hills and lush greenery gives views that will take your breath away. These vary greatly depending on the region and location: Snow white sand alternates with shell sand and fine gravel. Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. Some of the most beautiful and unique beaches are in the area nearby Damnoni is sandy with shallow clear waters, perfect for kids. 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. Sitia, windsurf and nice beaches For a taste of the less touristy places on the island, Sitia is your town where to stay in Crete. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. Z Boutique Hotel has comfortable rooms and a small pool. Take a dip in the courtyard pool; a stylish seaside hotel. That said, there are bus links to Rethymno and Heraklion so car hire is not necessary. Glika Nera Beach 190 Beaches By 849jeremyn Including the five star beach resorts, family friendly hotels on Crete and great value finds. Transfer time: 1hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International 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. Transfer time: 1hr 45 minutes from Chania International airport. 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. If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. A classy, modern hotel. BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CRETE IN AGIOS NIKOLAOS ($$$) Minos Beach Art Hotel ($$) Miramare Resort & Spa ($) Ikaros Art Hotel FIND AGIOS NIKOLAOS HOTEL DEALS 5. On the beach: Check out LUX.ME White Palace and Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort for sheer whitewashed bliss right on the beach. There are seven restaurants to choose from, a kids' club, and a wide range of activities - a real crowd pleaser. Crete is a large island the fifth largest in the Mediterranean and you can find whatever youre looking for in each region. Interiors are chic, contemporary and comfortable. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. It is a port city that offers an urban vibe with a touch of nature. Rethymno Beach is also one of Cretes most important turtle nesting grounds. 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. 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! 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. That said, they are exposed to the northwesterly Meltemi wind which blasts Greece throughout the summer beware big waves and undercurrents when the wind is blowing, pay attention to local advice. Falassarna is home to one of the best beaches on Crete vast, sandy, and relatively undeveloped. "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.". And if you'd like your own private pool, as well as access to a private beach, Refine your search to our Guru's recommendations for. The modern rooms boast private balconies overlooking the bay, gardens or pool. See More, Experience luxury in abundance at this peninsula hotel with contemporary, stylish decor and sea views. #1 Best Value of 1,305 Crete Beach Hotels "Beach - Currently sitting on the beach I can tell you it is a little sun trap! Enjoyed this post? If you're looking for a quiet, isolated experience . A spoiling stay. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. There are many dining options from Greek to Italian and the four bars serve up wonderful cocktails. Most of the visitors are locals in the high summer months. Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! 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. 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. Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort has a Six Senses Spa, direct beach access, and a private 9-hole golf course. See More, A great getaway to an idyllic blue bay in a car-free village, right on the beach. The beautiful unspoilt Samari Gorge is a major tourist attraction of the island and was created by a small river running through the White Mountains. To the west of Sitia is the small coastal village of Mochlos which sports two islets with Minoan excavations. It feels a little like the end of the known world, and Sfakions are known for their fierce independence and excellent cheese pies. 1. Blue Palace Elounda 9. Giannoulis - Grand Bay Beach Resort (Exclusive Adults Only) Kolymvari. I just want to mention dont confuse your Plakas, as there are two, one of which is inhabited and built purely for ex-pats. Beach bums are better off at Plakias (see below). Show Prices. Several of the Elounda luxury resorts are actually in Plaka. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. Fortunately, the prices in Elounda dont have a Hollywood price tag. 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. Clearly, the island has so much more to offer aside from the famous mythology and legends, there are also sites of architectural, historical, and natural importance, that will leave any visitor completely enthralled! 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. Milatos is a small and low-key beach resort just beyond Sissi. Check Paleochora rooms and prices on Booking.com. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport, 1 hr 10 minutes from Heraklion International Airport book a transfer. Some of the beach resorts along Rethymnon beach include: The area around Platanes is popular and sandy. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. The KTEL bus station is in the new town, a 10-minute walk from the main harbour see PDF timetables. Oceanfront Home With Views (7 guests): $325/night. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. 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. See More, A stunning resort on Mirabello Bay with its own private beach and dreamy views. 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. Discover our best beaches of Crete: Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna in Chania, Preveli in Rethymno, Vai in Lassithi, and more. 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. Astoria Hotel is a small family-run hotel with sea views and coastal decor. Falassarna is located on the west coast of the island around a 2 hour 40 minute drive from Heraklion airport. With that and the relative peace and quiet, its an ideal spot to just be on this wonderful island. 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. There are several beaches that you can reach by foot, and as the crowds thin out you can still find a few nudist beaches. Agiofaraggo beach Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized, Nudism-Friendly View on map Location: 80 km south west of Heraklion Town 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. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Rapid growth resulted in some dense development around the small harbour, and the small beach is a 10-minute walk out of the village. 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. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. Explore the surrounding islands or simply lie back and relax. With itchy feet, an inquisitive nature and an ardent wanderlust, Emma Clair has always been a traveller at heart. See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. "If you are looking for delicious food, spacious luxury rooms, a marvellous location directly on the beach and an excellent service, Mitsis Laguna is the answer.". 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. There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. Minoa Palace Resort & Spa is another beachfront blockbuster with private pools and daybeds. But it would be a shame to miss out on the excellent tavernas in Panormo. a rundown of Crete's quieter resorts and villages; the best places to stay for couples, families and nature CRETE OVERVIEW BEST LUXURY HOTELS: Domes of Elounda, Daios Cove, Abaton Island Resort and Spa, Domes Noruz. Transfer time: 1 hr 40 minutes from both Chania and Heraklion airports. Tourism here peaked in the 90s and as such it has a slightly careworn feel and is friendly but not busy. Naxos has the best beaches (but little nightlife). Ideal for totally relaxing. 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. Check out Aspri Petra Apartments or Asterias Village. } Elounda is a good middle ground for those who dont want utter isolation, but still want to keep their break fairly relaxed. Avli Luxury Apartments are sumptuously decorated and theres a rooftop pool. Essentially, Myrtos has something to offer everyone from a secluded, sandy seafront to a large dose of historical culture. The 680-room Creta Maris Beach Resort is a beachfront all-inclusive resort a 10-minute walk from Limenas Hersonissos village. Hostels: Chania has two gorgeous design hostel options Cocoon City Hostel and Kumba. Transfer time: 35 minutes from Heraklion airport. A lively beach town, the resort of Bali is set around a handful of coves in a scenic bay. It has the same old-world charms with its colourful Venetian harbourfront, relics of Turkish rule, student population, and tangle of tiny alleys. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. Fantastic food served up and two bars for you to try out. It does attract some tourists, mainly from the continent. Service 4.3. Cretes famous hippie beach is located on the south coast the name will be familiar to any fan of Joni Mitchell, who lived in the caves here for a short time as described in the song Carey. 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". Paleochora is located on a small peninsula with beaches on either side perfect for windsurfing as one of them will always be catching the wind. The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Set in landscaped tropical gardens, it has 7 pools, a spa, and access to a rocky private beach. There is a small airport serving flights to and from Athens. Set in landscaped gardens, the freshly reinvented Radisson Blu Beach Resort has seven pools, direct beach acces, and is popular with families. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. per night. There is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. Bored of sunning yourself? Accommodation is spacious and secluded, the best options have heated seawater pools, but all are utterly indulgent. Due to the presence of cold spring water streams, the seawater can be cold, even in summer but the beach itself is stunning. 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. 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. Hersonissos is the biggest resort in Crete, its a large and lively resort town with something to suit every taste and budget. Lyttos Mare 5. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. Pick the Nana Princess in Hersonissos for a relaxing getaway. Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. 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. The resorts here are some of the nicest places to stay on Crete. Show Prices. But the highlight is the peaceful and picture-perfect sugar cube village of Loutro, with its whitewashed walls and electric blue seas. 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. Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection Show prices Enter dates to see prices An adults-only hotel in a converted historic mansion, it has been elegantly restored and has its own hammam. Plaka has a lovely beach, especially lovely if you dont like sand getting everywhere, as its made from pebbles. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas 8. South coast Agia Galini is a small harbour town that was once the biggest resort town in the Rethymno region. But what you will find is a collection of properly local eateries, a few small and sandy beaches, and crystal clear water if you want to go for a dip. Luxury highlights: Domes Noruz in Kato Daratsa is the 5* pick beachfront location, private plunge pools and hot tubs are available. 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. If you are looking for a bit of space then Plakias offers one of the largest beaches in Crete. 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! See More, An opulent resort comprising five hotels in one on a private peninsula. { The famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. Mid-range boutique: Casa Cook is a beach resort reimagined for the Instagram generation, with boho-chic minimalism up on the hills behind the beach in Kato Daratsa. Dont expect anything in the way of amenities when you get there (its actually a nature reserve and is treated accordingly). There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. The nation boasts nearly 5,800 miles of coastline, stretching along the warm Gulf of Mexico to the east and the . Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel 4. Courgette balls, broad beans, moussaka and mezedakia. Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. The beach is sandy and the sea is calm, though the south coast does get fierce winds at times. See More, Domes Noruz Chania boasts a spectacular location on the coast of Crete. It is home to a substantial palm date forest, which is accessible by foot or by car. Crete is divided into four provinces, each headed up by a regional capital on the north coast Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos. Nearby is the Palace of Malia, one of the best Minoan ruins on the island. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Chania International airport. Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. 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. Walking through the forest is sublime, and the river that cuts through it is clean enough to swim in (we should hope so as it leads directly out onto Plakias beach). What really amazed when I was in Crete was how quiet it is. The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. Grecotel Meli Palace and Kalimera Kriti Resort both have direct beach access. A perfect miniature island-hopping adventure. 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. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. Transfer time: 1hr 15 minutes from Heraklion airport. There are actually three beaches within walking distance from the cobbled stone street village, all of which are pretty shallow and nestled amongst some really lovely local topography, allowing for some rather nice snorkelling experiences. The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. There are few roads in the area, and some of the villages are accessible only by boat. 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. 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. Located 80km southwest of the town of Heraklion, it is much more secluded than your average beach, since it's just off the edge of (and sheltered by) a large gorge. Several of Eloundas top luxury hotels are actually in Plaka, so read the section above if you havent already. Sougia is a small village located by the Libyan sea, it can be a bit of a drive, especially from some of the more developed areas, but that was half the fun! Brilliant choice of restaurants, easy to book each morning Popi the waitress in the main Cosmos restaurant was so att." ; SOUTH: Most of the main beach resorts are on the south coast, busier on the west side and getting quieter the further east you get. It is hardly surprising then that there are a world-class selection of beach hotels to choose from. Plakias is located along the south coast of the island around an hour and 40 min drive from Heraklion Airport. The Ottoman influence is front and centre at the Hamam Oriental Suites, housed in a former hammam building some rooms have hot tubs. Balos Beach is one of the best beaches in Greece if you want that fine white sand aesthetic. Theres plenty to keep older children entertained, including watersports and boat trips. A small collection of traditional stone cottages make the perfect base for families. Belvedere Apartments are box fresh and have spa access. One of the most beautiful cities in all of Greece, Chania is unsurprisingly a popular tourist destination.