If you think of a sleepy Greek fishing village, you probably have images of small boats bobbing in quartz waters, piles of multicoloured nets, and fishermen unloading their catch before nipping off to the Taverna for a cheeky ouzo. Agiofarago Beach / Best Beaches in Crete Agiofarago Beach is the perfect beach in Crete if you want to sidestep the crowds. 20 BEST Crete Beaches To Visit - The World Pursuit On the beach: Check out LUX.ME White Palace and Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort for sheer whitewashed bliss right on the beach. A wonderful place to visit and stay in Crete! See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. Its a perfect romantic destination for couples. A spoiling stay. Transfer time: 20 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Resorts 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor Giannoulis - Grand Bay Beach Resort (Exclusive Adults Only) Kolymvari. 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. 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. The main cities and towns on the north coast are linked by regular buses each regional capital has buses going to the south of its region. Show Prices. 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). There are also plenty of boat trips are available from its harbour. See More, A stylish modern hotel with spacious one-bedroom suites with a separate living room and great views over the ocean. Loutro:Porto Loutro On the Hill has the best position with balcony rooms looking out over the bay. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Resorts 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor 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. Boat trips to Balos leave from the harbour. Pick of the pack is the uber-chic Serenissima Boutique Hotel its located one block back from the main harbour in a 15th-century Venetian mansion. 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. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. Accommodation in Kissamos tends to look a bit dated but you can find good value in the surrounding beaches such as resort-style Balos Beach Hotel, Galini Beach Hotel, and the simpler Maria Beach Hotel. If you're looking for a quiet, isolated experience . The 3* Villa Maxine Hotel is great value and has a chic poolside area. As with the other northern cities, it has a Venetian Fortress (the Kazarma) and an Archaeological Museum. 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). It is a port city that offers an urban vibe with a touch of nature. 3,851 reviews. 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. Its a windswept and low-key kind of place, with remnants of a hippie vibe. Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. There are churches tucked away in winding streets, and for those of you who want to enjoy a waterside view without the sand, the town is built around a beautiful lake (Lake Voulismeni), where you can take in the views, whilst also dining in style in one of a multitude of lakeside restaurants. They get progressively smaller, more village-like and quieter the further out you get. The hotel is all-inclusive but the food was of excellent quality." Breakfast included 2022 4. Well, you dont need to imagine, as youve just thought of Sissi in beautiful Crete! Their wild and remote location and lack of road access have helped to preserve their beauty. Elounda is a lively harbour town thats surrounded by beautiful scenery and a sandy Blue Flag town beach. Malliotakis Beach Hotel and Aggelo Boutique Hotel are both close to the beach and offer stylish places to lay your head. La Maison Ottomane brings a touch of Ottoman decadence meets modern style. Its deliciously quiet in shoulder season. You can always visit the amazing chapel of Prophet Elias. Elegant, with a private beach, fine dining restaurants and an award-winning spa. On a budget? 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)! There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. 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. Some swim-up rooms are available. 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. 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. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. Utterly relaxing. South of the Lasithi Peninsula, this part of Crete has its own climate its drier, hotter, and more barren than the rest of the island. T Hotel Premium Suites is the most comfortable place in town. 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. Where to Stay on Mykonos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide 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. Mythology aside you can visit the ruins of the Minoan Zakros palace, which is a genuine archaeological site. The Troulis Apart-hotel is excellent value. The further out, the quieter it gets. Minos Beach Art Hotel Agios Nikolaos, Crete 129 rooms from 336. Crete is almost completely surrounded by beaches. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( THE 10 BEST Quiet Resorts in Crete 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor With the exception of Paleochora, that is. You cant miss it, its called Youth Hostel Plakias. The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. Try the spotless Marina Hotel, or the beautiful white and blue decor and sea views atElektra. Kato Zakros is located on the east coast of the island around a 3 hour journey from Heraklion airport. Agios Nikolaos, Or just Agios if you prefer, is a bustling town and working port. The best beaches and coves in Crete incl. insider tips - Corissia Most likely, it will only be you, the sound of the lapping water, the bristling sun and the rustle of the pine trees. 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. On a budget? Sougia is located on the South West Coast of Crete around 3 hour and 20-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. But the rowdy bars are largely confined to one strip the Malia Mile, and the party doesnt start until later in the evening. The beaches here are small but this helps to keep the crowds away. Return to simpler times at this beautiful hideaway on Crete. 1. 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. Here you will find the emptiest beaches on the island and you can swim well into the autumn/winter months. Sfakia is the nearest town for amenities. 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. The beach is a mix of shingle and sand, and the water is crystal clear and calm. The thrum centres around the Venetian harbour, the cafe-packed backstreets, and the extensive beach which extends to the east. And its one of the warmest places in the Mediterranean in winter. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. The majority of Bahamian beaches are safely in "paradise on Earth" territory. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. 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. 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. Mykonos has the best beach clubs (and nightlife). Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. If youve braved the paddle (or walked over the sandbar leading to the island) youll be rewarded with water that is the temperature of bathwater, soft pink sand (particular to this area only), and pictures that youll treasurePrizes awarded for spotting a sea turtleand deducted for duckface Instagram postsenjoy! Excellent Mediterranean dishes are served up in the restaurants. Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. And theres an ancient Minoan site that youre likely to have to yourself. 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. See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. But most options are traditional apartment complexes such as Petritos Rooms or small houses like Arodamos Sea House. On a budget? The Top 3 Best Crete Family Resorts | Oyster.com Something of the original working fishing harbour feel remains, and traditional domatia and cheap cafes sit alongside bijou boutiques and expensive seafood restaurants. Agia Galini has a great selection of accommodation. Just dont expect to find authentic Crete here. Most hotels and rooms in Matala are simple and value. A good selection of bars and restaurants. Nana Princess Suites Villas & Spa 2. Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. 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. Interiors are chic, contemporary and comfortable. The resort boasts an outdoor hot tub. An epic choice of restaurants and bars. 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. But there are many places offering rooms and studios at a great price. forms: { Its unsurprisingly popular with returnees. Luxury highlights: Domes Noruz in Kato Daratsa is the 5* pick beachfront location, private plunge pools and hot tubs are available. Its a busy tourist town dominated by resort hotels, with a small harbour and 4 organised beaches, and is packed with pretty bougainvillaea and colourful sun loungers. 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. The lagoon itself is actually an island that can be reached by paddling out to it. Crete Quiet Resorts & Hotels : Book a Hotel Room at one of many Quiet Astoria Hotel is a small family-run hotel with sea views and coastal decor. Both a beautiful and quiet place to visit in Crete. There's a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, a small spa, and a restaurant. The best beaches in Crete | CN Traveller 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). Check out cheery Sunday Life. Its known for its big waves, fishing heritage, and seafood tavernas set around a small crescent of beach. Theres no real village to speak of, but there are a few places to stay tucked away in the flat plain behind the beach. Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort has a Six Senses Spa, direct beach access, and a private 9-hole golf course. An adults-only hotel in a converted historic mansion, it has been elegantly restored and has its own hammam. 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. 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. 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. Plenty of suites and private villas have pools. 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. GBP $ USD EUR $ AUD $ CAD. It is flanked by steep, mountainsides, home to a sizable herd of goats (judging from the clinking of bells) as well as a tepid sea, sheltered by a lush bay. 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. Libyan Princess is the most comfortable and modern hotel on the block. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. There are few roads in the area, and some of the villages are accessible only by boat. Off the beaten track, this tranquil hotel is ideal for a simple seaside holiday for families. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. Visit Mosque of the Janissaries in Crete | Expedia Explore the surrounding islands or simply lie back and relax. See More, A great getaway to an idyllic blue bay in a car-free village, right on the beach. Malia can be a great option for cheap last minute packages keep an eye on Lastminute.com for deals. There are many dining options from Greek to Italian and the four bars serve up wonderful cocktails. Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. See More, This exclusive beachfront hotel in Rethymno recently underwent a full renovation. Transfer time: 1hr from Heraklion International airport. 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. Cleanliness 4.3. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Hotels of 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor