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Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. Although be warned, the walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. 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. Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. A small village consisting simply of a few hotels and tavernas, shops and restaurants, and a church, but what Loutro lacks in modernity it makes up for in nostalgia and panorama. If you want to explore the culinary, you will have a vast variety of restaurants and amazing coffee shops. Crete has some of Greece's best sandy beaches - many far from developed areas, so you can truly enjoy a remote holiday on the sand. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 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. 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. Greeces largest island has quickly developed a reputation as a party island with crowds of revellers in the busier resorts looking for their next shot of ouzo, but you shouldnt let that put you off visiting this sun-soaked island. A good selection of bars and restaurants. Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection Show prices Enter dates to see prices 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. Three excellent restaurants, salt water pools and an extensive spa complete the picture on this luxe stay. The 5-star hotels on the harbourfront are Scala de Faroand Domus Renier. Set on an unspoiled beach, the resort offers bespoke suites and private bungalows with custom-made furniture and natural accents inspired by the landscape. Giannoulis - Grand Bay Beach Resort (Exclusive Adults Only) Kolymvari. See More, Low-rise garden resort with immaculate seaside grounds. The five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. What was once a small Greek village has now become a cosmopolitan town, with bars, restaurants and hotels surrounding picturesque Lake Voulismeni. Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel Show prices Enter dates to see prices 202 reviews Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. } 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. Isolated, authentic, and very tranquil, Lentas isnt for Crete thrill-seekers or partygoers. Falassarna Beach has won prizes for being the most beautiful beach in Crete and is always one of the top ten beaches in Europe, with its wonderful, fine white sand and warm, crystal-clear water. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. Theres a regular bus to Heraklion, and its possible to reach Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos for day trips too. 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). 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)! I just want to mention dont confuse your Plakas, as there are two, one of which is inhabited and built purely for ex-pats. This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. 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. There's a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, a small spa, and a restaurant. La Maison Ottomane brings a touch of Ottoman decadence meets modern style. 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: 1hr 15 minutes from Heraklion airport. Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. A small collection of traditional stone cottages make the perfect base for families. Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. 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. " 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 . Suites have private pools. Honeymoons - This is . Show Prices. 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. But the lagoon beach is known to many island regulars, and gets busy on a summer weekend. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. See More, An opulent resort comprising five hotels in one on a private peninsula. The one we are talking about is ideal if youve decided to stay in or near Agios, as its just around the bay. Malliotakis Beach Hotel and Aggelo Boutique Hotel are both close to the beach and offer stylish places to lay your head. There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. 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. Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. Its unsurprisingly popular with returnees. Bozzali. Crete is filled with fine beaches, ancient treasures, dreamy villages, wonderful cuisine, and hospitable locals who hold their traditional culture in high regard. One of the main attractions of this part of Crete is Vai Beach, the famously exotic palm beach and former hippie colony. #26 Best Value of 502 Quiet Hotels in Crete. Description: Malia is the most popular beach resort of Heraklion and the most famous nightlife spot in Crete. Head west for quieter beaches at Amnisos or Tobrouk. Sifaka & Gavaladon 5, Old Town, Chania, Crete Island, 73101. Wonderful! The LATO Boutique Hotel is more modern and has harbour views. . These hikes can be strenuous and at some moments, hair-raising but they are well maintained. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Heraklion International airport. For a private beach, an award-winning spa and fine dining, try the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. A luxurious hideaway near Rethymnon. See More, Luxury beach resort just minutes from Agios Nikolaos. ; 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. 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. Kissamos is a working port town on the northwestern edge of Crete. Cool or what? 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. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. See More, Domes Noruz Chania boasts a spectacular location on the coast of Crete. Return to simpler times at this beautiful hideaway on Crete. Agios Nikolaos, Or just Agios if you prefer, is a bustling town and working port. 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. 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. 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. And Plakias now has a youth hostel! 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 . Its deliciously quiet in shoulder season. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. 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! There is a small airport serving flights to and from Athens. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. Classy Veneziano Boutique Hotel is in a beautifully renovated historic building. No roads lead here and there are no nightclubs or nightlife. Whether you are planning a getaway with the family, a couples' escape or a luxury break there is something to suit most tastes and budgets here. 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. Karavostasi Beach 432 Beaches By selsfield2003 Worth the walk ( or the ride on the mini train) Great beach - lovely clear water and 2 amazing tavernas. 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. #8 Best Value of 35 Exclusive Resorts in Crete. The scenery as you traverse the coast road with steep hills and lush greenery gives views that will take your breath away. The beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. Plaka is located on the coast on the east of Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. 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! An adults-only hotel in a converted historic mansion, it has been elegantly restored and has its own hammam. 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. 5* resort Domes of Elounda is one of Cretes most exclusive hotels and has access to a private sandy beach, VIP services, and a champagne bar. Here are the best luxury Crete resorts on the beach. 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). 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. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. Malia can be a great option for cheap last minute packages keep an eye on Lastminute.com for deals. GBP $ USD EUR $ AUD $ CAD. 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.