Yes: Sougia is the best quiet beach in Crete, without a doubt. Again due to its relative remoteness, youll be able to leave your disco shoes at home as well have none of that here, thanks very much. Plenty of suites and private villas have pools. Pick the Nana Princess in Hersonissos for a relaxing getaway. Go in the shoulder months and youll be rewarded with a day trip to remember. Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. Few make it out this far, despite its calling card the impressive (but empty) Venetian castle on its shore. 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. Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. 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. Lovely beaches, ideal for a romantic break or family holiday. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. Show Prices. Falassarna is home to one of the best beaches on Crete vast, sandy, and relatively undeveloped. Enjoy the many dining options, good spa and lots of activities - tennis, water sports and nearby nightlife. Up until fairly recently, Elafonisi was one of Cretes best-kept secrets, sadly social media selfie-lovers got a firm grasp of it, so it can get seriously busy in the high seasons. Drive 10 minutes south from Agios Nikolaos for the stunning 5* resort Daios Cove, which has its own beach and private seawater plunge pools. Plaka is located on the coast on the east of Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. Bored of sunning yourself? 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. 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. Most likely, it will only be you, the sound of the lapping water, the bristling sun and the rustle of the pine trees. 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. Balos Beach is one of the best beaches in Greece if you want that fine white sand aesthetic. Another sleepy Crete village, Tsoutsouros is undeveloped and charming (just how we like it). On the Venetian harbour: is the 5 star Ambassadors Residence which has rooftop hot tubs. Mount Ida is the tallest peak of the range, named after the daughter of the King of Crete according to Greek mythology. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. And its one of the warmest places in the Mediterranean in winter. Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. South coast Agia Galini is a small harbour town that was once the biggest resort town in the Rethymno region. There are a number of hotels right on the beach such as the modern and comfortable Sofia Hotel. Elafonisi Lagoon is located on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. Isolated, authentic, and very tranquil, Lentas isnt for Crete thrill-seekers or partygoers. 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. On a budget? Crete Beach Resorts: Find 55281 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Oceanfront Hotels in Crete on Tripadvisor. On a budget? Agia Pelagia is halfway between Bali and Heraklion and is the only real beach resort to the west of the capital, to which it is connected by a regular bus service which takes about 1 hr. A typical routine is to eat dinner in the old village and then head down towards the waterfront for evening drinks. Transfer time: Ierapetra minutes from Heraklion airport, Makrigialos 1 hr 50 minutes 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. 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. 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. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. There are of resort hotels in Bali strung out along the coast many are looking a bit dated but there are a few standouts. However, dont let that put you off. Heraklion is located on the north coast of Crete and is home to the main airport of the island. Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! 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. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next beach break? Palm-fringed Preveli is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches on Crete. See More, Low-rise garden resort with immaculate seaside grounds. Beach balls aside there is more to Plakias than sand and sunshine. Well, you dont need to imagine, as youve just thought of Sissi in beautiful Crete! Tourism here peaked in the 90s and as such it has a slightly careworn feel and is friendly but not busy. Transfer time: 1hr 30 minutes from Chania airport. 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! Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. Heading to the beautiful Greek island of Crete this year? Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. One of the main attractions of this part of Crete is Vai Beach, the famously exotic palm beach and former hippie colony. I just want to mention dont confuse your Plakas, as there are two, one of which is inhabited and built purely for ex-pats. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. 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). 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. Elounda is a lively harbour town thats surrounded by beautiful scenery and a sandy Blue Flag town beach. Transfer time: 2 hours 30 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. Just dont expect to find authentic Crete here. Take a 15-minute walk uphill from the main town and you will find Koutouloufari and Piskopiano, two traditional villages that are increasingly popular for upmarket accommodation options. It is hardly surprising then that there are a world-class selection of beach hotels to choose from. Something of the original working fishing harbour feel remains, and traditional domatia and cheap cafes sit alongside bijou boutiques and expensive seafood restaurants. 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. 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. ; EAST: The beaches past Elia are beyond the reach of the bus and water taxi network so things calm down considerably. If it tickles your fancy there is a naturist beach off to the east. There are numerous beaches to visit, and if they are a bit far or you want to go further afield, as a bigger resort you can find hire cars for the standard rate. All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom. The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. 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 . Lasithi, the easternmost province of Crete, is home to some of its most luxurious hotels as well as its wildest and most traditional areas. Mar 20 - Mar 21. 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. 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! For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. Most of the visitors are locals in the high summer months. You may have to head to the south coast when the wind is blowing. The city of Rethymnon (you might also see it spelt Rethymno or Rethimno) is like a smaller, more chilled version of Chania. It is an absolute must for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists sail to the nearby village of Sougia or Hora Sfakion, where they could spend a night or they could catch a coach back to Chania. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort 3. Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection 6. " The hotel is very relaxing and although it is a bit quiet a night it really is the perfect mix of 5 star luxury during the day with the authenticity of amazing local Greek Tavernas like Zachos . The famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. The resort itself is sleepy but like most in the area the beach gets very busy in the summer. And you can find amazing rock formations nearby at Souda such as Calypso Bay. 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. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. See More, Domes Noruz Chania boasts a spectacular location on the coast of Crete. Panormos is located on the North Coast of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Sifaka & Gavaladon 5, Old Town, Chania, Crete Island, 73101. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Accommodation is spacious and secluded, the best options have heated seawater pools, but all are utterly indulgent. At Finikounda in south-western Peloponnese, it's a simple beach resort with honey-hued beaches, space for 80 campers, and 16 sizeable bungalows with their own bathrooms, cooking facilities. Although almost every main beach gets busy in July and August, you can usually walk just a few minutes away to find a patch of heaven sans crowds. 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. See More, A great getaway to an idyllic blue bay in a car-free village, right on the beach. #7 Best Value of 66 Quiet Resorts in Crete "The resort location gives quiet seclusion and comfort with its own small beach, sun terraces and infinity pool all with beautiful views over Mirabello Bay." "Secluded enough to be quiet and relaxing but also close enough to the picturesque town of Agios St Nikolas." Visit hotel website 2022 8. 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. Some suites have access to a private hot tub on the roof terrave. Elounda Gulf Villas provide a free transfer to a private beach club. 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. 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. 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. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Rapid growth resulted in some dense development around the small harbour, and the small beach is a 10-minute walk out of the village. The Ottoman influence is front and centre at the Hamam Oriental Suites, housed in a former hammam building some rooms have hot tubs. Hersonissos is the biggest resort in Crete, its a large and lively resort town with something to suit every taste and budget. } Sumptuous suites and villas have cool contemporary interiors and fabulous sea views, and many with their own private pool. You cant miss it, its called Youth Hostel Plakias. 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. The main tourist street is Odos Halidon, which divides the old and new city. Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. The beaches here are small but this helps to keep the crowds away. There are no luxury hotels in the area, but an excellent selection of traditional family-run hotels and pensions, many with sea views. 9 Theofanus Street, Chania, Crete Island, 731 00. East of Sitia the crowds really thin out most tourists dont make it beyond this point. Naxos has the best beaches (but little nightlife). Swanky Aspalathos Falassarna Villas has an infinity pool, hot tub and sauna. Lyttos Mare 5. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. Take your pick from three gourmet restaurants and bars, including a poolside bar. See More, An opulent resort comprising five hotels in one on a private peninsula. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 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. Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel 4. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. Besides the beach, guests gather at the Olympic-sized pool and water park with a big slides for older kids and adults. Malliotakis Beach Hotel and Aggelo Boutique Hotel are both close to the beach and offer stylish places to lay your head. 1,438 reviews. 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. The swankiest resort in town is the long-established Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort. This is Crete off-the-beaten-track. 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). A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. You can always visit the amazing chapel of Prophet Elias. Transfer time: 1 hr 40 minutes from both Chania and Heraklion airports. 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. There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. The lazy river was a particular highlight. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. If youre used to staying in small villages then you may find Bali too busy and commercialised. Most of the beach is lined with tavernas, cafes and bars, but with easy acces to the city. On a budget? 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. " 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 . Its located just to the east of Heraklion, meaning it is easy to get to if you dont want to spend too much time with pesky transfers. 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. event : evt, 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. There are several beaches that you can reach by foot, and as the crowds thin out you can still find a few nudist beaches.
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