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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). Classy Veneziano Boutique Hotel is in a beautifully renovated historic building. Plaka is also the gateway to the Spinalonga, the small fortress island that famously housed a leper colony and is now one of the main day trips in the area. 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. forms: { Transfer time: 15 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 9.8/5 (157 reviews) "The bed was so comfortable. The prices in Hersonissos are very competitive, partially to lure customers out of the many all-inclusive hotels in the area. There are seven restaurants to choose from, a kids' club, and a wide range of activities - a real crowd pleaser. 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. Isolated, authentic, and very tranquil, Lentas isnt for Crete thrill-seekers or partygoers. See More, An ultra-luxurious haven combining the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. A collection of understated luxury rooms and bungalows are elegantly decorated with simple white walls and minimalist artworks. Theres a wide selection of accommodation, easy transport links, a short airport transfer, and child-friendly shallow waters. Meanwhile, the main beach of the area, West Triopetra or Chatzi, is characterised by beautiful coarse sand which casts unusual colours across the beach and water. 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. But at the end of the day, Mexico will always be known as a beach destination - and for good reason. Elounda is a good middle ground for those who dont want utter isolation, but still want to keep their break fairly relaxed. } These vary greatly depending on the region and location: Snow white sand alternates with shell sand and fine gravel. The city of Rethymnon (you might also see it spelt Rethymno or Rethimno) is like a smaller, more chilled version of Chania. This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. Concur with these, we love Crete. #30 Best Value of 32 Crete Luxury Beach Resorts Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. 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. 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. 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. There are lots of lovely places to stay in Rethymnon. There are more Minoan ruins worth discovering though head further afield to Malia and Phaistos. 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). South coast Agia Galini is a small harbour town that was once the biggest resort town in the Rethymno region. The hotel is all-inclusive but the food was of excellent quality." Breakfast included 2022 4. It is famous for its never-ending stretch of sand, fabulous sunsets and peaceful atmosphere. Agree a time with him and he'll come back for you later. A luxurious hideaway near Rethymnon. Its raw beauty is undeniable, with glassy aquamarine waters and swirls of pastel-pink sands kissing the shore - a natural phenomenon caused by thousands of . It has a slightly scruffy feel but there are two town beaches, an archaeological museum and some excellent restaurants to entertain you. Naxos has the best beaches (but little nightlife). Elounda is located in east Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. Small ferry boats make the run over to Spinalonga from both Plaka and Elounda. Go in the shoulder months and youll be rewarded with a day trip to remember. Heraklion is Cretes capital and the largest city on the island. Try the spotless Marina Hotel, or the beautiful white and blue decor and sea views atElektra. As with the other northern cities, it has a Venetian Fortress (the Kazarma) and an Archaeological Museum. Transfer time: 2 hours 30 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. Kalamaki is located on the south coast of the island around an hours drive from Heraklion airport. Lovely beaches, ideal for a romantic break or family holiday. Bored of sunning yourself? Mexico is one of those well-rounded countries that offer a little bit of everything: food, culture, gorgeous landscapes, and some of the best hotels and resorts in the entire world. The scenery as you traverse the coast road with steep hills and lush greenery gives views that will take your breath away. Dont expect anything in the way of amenities when you get there (its actually a nature reserve and is treated accordingly). BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort 3. There is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. 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 beach here is better than any at Hersonissos, which is 5km away. The remote area of Sfakia on the southern coast is one of the most beautiful parts of Crete but you have to be prepared for an adventure to get there. A luxury beach holiday. The landscape is dry and barren, and the beaches largely empty. There are a few tavernas and perhaps the occasional cafe bordering the shallow rocky beach. But there are plenty of returners from those days its warm seas, great views, and some of the best fishing in Greece make it particularly popular with expats. Falassarna is located on the west coast of the island around a 2 hour 40 minute drive from Heraklion airport. Its known for its big waves, fishing heritage, and seafood tavernas set around a small crescent of beach. #9 Best Value of 66 Quiet Resorts in Crete. Many boat trips, excursions, and day tours are available, and its possible to make some journeys (such as hiking the Samaria Gorge) yourself by bus. Glika Nera Beach 190 Beaches By 849jeremyn If you are staying one or more nights, you dont need to worry about thumping music or all-night parties. The main village is set 1km back from the beach and is a popular area for villas and expats. 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. Once youve driven (carefully) to the town youll find a laid-back vibe and easy-going atmosphere that is synonymous with most of the lesser-known spots on the island. See More, This exclusive beachfront hotel in Rethymno recently underwent a full renovation. Transfer time: 20 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. Due to the presence of cold spring water streams, the seawater can be cold, even in summer but the beach itself is stunning. Hostels: Chania has two gorgeous design hostel options Cocoon City Hostel and Kumba. 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. However, dont let that put you off. Its a windswept and low-key kind of place, with remnants of a hippie vibe. Its an easy and cheap bus ride to Knoss from Heraklion. The swankiest resort in town is the long-established Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort. 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. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. Outside Heraklion centre is the vast and swanky kid-friendly resort Amirandes Hotel. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. 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. This ultra-luxurious haven combines the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. The south is wild and remote with a spectacularly rocky coast and a few standout beach resorts. of the rooms, the quality of the beach. Transfer time: 1hr 30 minutes from Chania airport. Boat trips to Balos leave from the harbour. (function() { The nearest rooms are a few miles away try the sereneGlykeria Hoteland Elafonisi Resort. Set in landscaped gardens, the freshly reinvented Radisson Blu Beach Resort has seven pools, direct beach acces, and is popular with families. 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. Top choice is the IG-friendly swim-up rooms at Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa. } Essentially, Myrtos has something to offer everyone from a secluded, sandy seafront to a large dose of historical culture. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. The lagoon itself is actually an island that can be reached by paddling out to it. Blue Palace Elounda 9. See more photos Add to shortlist. Theres an excellent selection of tavernas, and its a short drive to Agios Nikolaos for city delights. If it tickles your fancy there is a naturist beach off to the east. Its a bit of a trek from Chania airport, so if youre going, fly to Heraklion. All rooms come with an outdoor pool and private hot tubs. But it has everything you need its ideal if youre looking to enjoy one place for your holiday and dont feel the need to visit the larger towns. 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. The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. Enjoyed this post? Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. . If you are looking for a bit of space then Plakias offers one of the largest beaches in Crete. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. Also along the main harbour, youll find the stylish Elia Zampeliou Boutique Hotel and the funky Alcanea Boutique Hotel. 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. 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. } 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)! 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. You cant miss it, its called Youth Hostel Plakias. Heraklion Archaeological Museum is fantastic its worth visiting before you head out to the ancient sites if you can. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. From spending many breaks on this beautiful island, here is my choice for the quietest and most authentic and unspoiled places to visit in Crete which are perfect for travel snobs. 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. 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. 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, A stunning resort on Mirabello Bay with its own private beach and dreamy views. This area is perfect for beach lovers (although its worth noting that the main beach does get very windy). Cool or what? Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. !" Breakfast included 2022 2. Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. 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. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom. The best beach in the area is at Anissaras, this is a 4 kms taxi ride west from Koutouloufari and any taxi driver will know where it is. 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. Crete Beach Resorts: Find 55281 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Oceanfront Hotels in Crete on Tripadvisor. 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. ". See More, Low-rise garden resort with immaculate seaside grounds. 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. Heraklion itself is not quite an attractive destination in the same way that Chania and Rethymnon are much of its historic architecture was damaged during heavy bombing in WWII. The five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. Beach balls aside there is more to Plakias than sand and sunshine. But the lagoon beach is known to many island regulars, and gets busy on a summer weekend. 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. Chanias maze of old town streets have been prettied up for the tourists, but they still retain a charming atmosphere especially if you can catch them in spring before the masses arrive. Hersonissos is the biggest resort in Crete, its a large and lively resort town with something to suit every taste and budget. Take your pick from three gourmet restaurants and bars, including a poolside bar. There are enough family-run tavernas and seafood restaurants that you can eat out somewhere different every night for a fortnight. Its a popular day-trip destination and the crowds somewhat marr the incredible natural landscape with its towering rock formations. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport, 1 hr 10 minutes from Heraklion International Airport book a transfer. 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. For all intents and purposes its a real treasure. Its still a 30-minute drive from Sitia. There are few roads in the area, and some of the villages are accessible only by boat. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. #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. If commercial isnt your thing then there are numerous guesthouses in the area, all offering their own unique brand of hospitality, many with floral and fragrant herb gardens. The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. For those who love to explore there are ruins all over the area dating from the Neolithic and Roman periods which, with a bit of tenacity can be uncovered and discovered. The area is popular with locals, which should tell you something, and as a result, the beachside cuisine in the local tavernas is to a pretty high standard. Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. The Greek islands with the best beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. 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. 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! Captains House is in a traditional building by the waterfront a friendly welcome, fantastic sea views, and comfy beds. 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. If you are a true adventurer take your flashlight and head up to Milatos caves. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. 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. Three excellent restaurants, salt water pools and an extensive spa complete the picture on this luxe stay. See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. The majority of Bahamian beaches are safely in "paradise on Earth" territory. Beach bums are better off at Plakias (see below). If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. 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).