The 5-star hotels on the harbourfront are Scala de Faroand Domus Renier. There are more Minoan ruins worth discovering though head further afield to Malia and Phaistos. 25 of the best places to stay in Greece and the Greek islands 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. See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. 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. } But there are plenty of alternatives if your budget doesnt stretch quite that far, have a look at Blue Bay Resort Hotel, Peninsula Resort Hotel, Pela Mare, Seascape Luxury Residences, and Acro Wellness Suites. Its a 40-minute drive to Rethymno. Three fine dining restaurants, state of the art spa, private sandy beach. 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. Most of the accommodation in this area is in traditional rooms and studios. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati. A small town located on a small peninsula in southwest Crete, Paleochora is ideal if you want a bit of both. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. 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". It has a sand-and-pebble beach and a handful of good tavernas to choose from. 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 . Very good. Transfer time: 25 minutes to the main harbour from Chania International airport. The best quiet beach in Crete? - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor Elafonisi Lagoon is located on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Its known for its big waves, fishing heritage, and seafood tavernas set around a small crescent of beach. Many Chania beaches are among the best on the island, such as Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi. On a budget? Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. #30 Best Value of 32 Crete Luxury Beach Resorts Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. Fortunately, the prices in Elounda dont have a Hollywood price tag. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. Check out Aspri Petra Apartments or Asterias Village. See More, A home-away-from-home set in a stunning rural spot with beaches, bars and tavernas a walk away. There is a small airport serving flights to and from Athens. 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. on: function(evt, cb) { 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. Greece has over 1000 islands of which only 227 are inhabited. 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. Just dont expect to find authentic Crete here. This is Crete off-the-beaten-track. The Greek islands with the best beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. The one we are talking about is ideal if youve decided to stay in or near Agios, as its just around the bay. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Hotels of 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel 4. Suites have private pools. On the beach itself, there is a tavern that sells local nibbles and drinks as well as sunbeds. 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! Most of the beach is lined with tavernas, cafes and bars, but with easy acces to the city. Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. 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. Bored of sunning yourself? The main village is set 1km back from the beach and is a popular area for villas and expats. Agiofaraggo beach Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized, Nudism-Friendly View on map Location: 80 km south west of Heraklion Town Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. With that and the relative peace and quiet, its an ideal spot to just be on this wonderful island. Value 4.1. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. Even the briefest of strolls through the village will showcase many of the wonderful pottery studios. Libyan Princess is the most comfortable and modern hotel on the block. Well, you dont need to imagine, as youve just thought of Sissi in beautiful Crete! 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. East of Sitia the crowds really thin out most tourists dont make it beyond this point. Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs 15 Best Resorts in Crete | U.S. News Travel See More, Luxury beach resort just minutes from Agios Nikolaos. Historically all of the tourist accommodation has been outside the city in the summer resorts. 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. So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. Also along the main harbour, youll find the stylish Elia Zampeliou Boutique Hotel and the funky Alcanea Boutique Hotel. Boutique and luxury: Cressa Corona Boutique Hotel is the best address in town. Location 3.9. Heraklion is located on the north coast of Crete and is home to the main airport of the island. 19 Best Beaches in Greece - Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Crete, Corfu, Rhodes These hikes can be strenuous and at some moments, hair-raising but they are well maintained. Transfer time: 30 minutes from Heraklion airport. On a budget? By that, I mean you want to indulge in some serious chilling, but also maybe want to have a good time in the evening too. 15 Best Luxury Crete Resorts on the Beach - overseas attractions One of the main things to do in Heraklion is to catch a ferry to visit Santorini, Mykonos and other places. The landscape is dry and barren, and the beaches largely empty. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. Isolated, authentic, and very tranquil, Lentas isnt for Crete thrill-seekers or partygoers. It gets very popular and usually attracts people who go there for clubbing. However, dont let that put you off. Plakias is one of the nicest small resorts on Crete. 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 you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. There are few roads in the area, and some of the villages are accessible only by boat. The prices in Hersonissos are very competitive, partially to lure customers out of the many all-inclusive hotels in the area. There are still many quieter, less commercialized resorts, villages, and secluded coves to explore and more hidden locations that are barely touched by tourism. Most of these are connected to town by regular bus. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. 5km south of Plaka is the small beach town of Elounda, one of Cretes most characterful resorts and home to some of its premier luxury hotels. It has a pretty setting in the Gulf of Mirabello with waterfront bars encircling a small lake its made for people watching, and there is a cosmopolitan cafe-bar scene. Their wild and remote location and lack of road access have helped to preserve their beauty. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Heraklion International 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. 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. 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. !" Breakfast included 2022 2. Transfer time: 2 hours 30 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Coastal perfection. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport. 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. 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. Beach Life - The property has a private beach area (complete with an open-air cineam in the evenings) - ideal for a quiet beach getaway. The resort itself is sleepy but like most in the area the beach gets very busy in the summer. Stay in Ierapetra: The Cretan Villa Hotel is a handsome restored 18th century building, or try apartments like the Big Blue Suites. Although elements of the walk can be tiring, its most definitely worth it. Oceanview Designer Beach House (4 guests): $300/night. La Maison Ottomane brings a touch of Ottoman decadence meets modern style. $148. 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. 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. Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. 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. Palazzo Duca is one block behind the harbour and is clean and modern with comfortable Cocomat mattresses. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. 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. Milatos is a small and low-key beach resort just beyond Sissi. But the highlight is the peaceful and picture-perfect sugar cube village of Loutro, with its whitewashed walls and electric blue seas. Much of the south-west coast is rocky and inaccessible, with steep cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea and small beaches that form at the end of gorges. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. The modern rooms boast private balconies overlooking the bay, gardens or pool. . Mythology aside you can visit the ruins of the Minoan Zakros palace, which is a genuine archaeological site. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. GBP $ USD EUR $ AUD $ CAD. Swimmers will prefer the deep water at Episkopi. THE 10 BEST Crete Luxury Resorts 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor The vibe is family-friendly thanks to its sheltered bay which is lined with a number of traditional tavernas. 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. 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. 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. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. Most hotels and rooms in Matala are simple and value. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. Although, shell always have a special place in her heart for the city where she makes her annual pilgrimages Paris, her true city of lights. The resort boasts an outdoor hot tub. Off the beaten track, this tranquil hotel is ideal for a simple seaside holiday for families. Its a year-round Greek town that attracts tourists and expats, rather than a purpose-built tourist town. A spoiling beach treat! Glika Nera Beach 190 Beaches By 849jeremyn Cleanliness 4.3. There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. 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. Crete's Best Beach Hotels | The Hotel Guru Some swim-up rooms are available. . 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! It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. Crete is divided into four provinces, each headed up by a regional capital on the north coast Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos. There are no luxury hotels in the area, but an excellent selection of traditional family-run hotels and pensions, many with sea views. Mykonos has the best beach clubs (and nightlife). 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. Enter dates to see prices. 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. It's quiet not only because the village is quiet and the people who go there are quiet, but because it's so big: 1.3 km long, and very wide, so that even in high season you can feel that you've got it almost to yourself. Visit Mosque of the Janissaries in Crete | Expedia 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. The harbourfront is lined with restaurants and smart boutiques, and the narrow alleys filled with souvenir shops, and the colourful tables and twinkly lights of tavernas vying for your trade. A spoiling stay. "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.". Although the panorama can make you trigger happy with the camera, dont ignore the beauty right beside you on the path a Venetian fort, ancient churches, ancient cisterns, and the breath-taking remains of the ruined ancient town of Pikilassos, not to mention the beautiful flora and fauna that you encounter along the way, including lots of olive trees resist the urge to pillage! Enjoy the many dining options, good spa and lots of activities - tennis, water sports and nearby nightlife. The beach of Myrtos is a hidden treasure which, rarely gets crowded and provides a real opportunity to take a load off and truly relax. Best 41 Beaches in Chania, Greece | Greeka Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. 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 wonderful place to visit and stay in Crete! 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. 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. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. Triopetra Beach is located on the south of the island around a 2 hour drive from Heraklion airport. . Theres plenty to keep older children entertained, including watersports and boat trips. Check out cheery Sunday Life. See More, Low-rise garden resort with immaculate seaside grounds. BEST LUXURY HOTELS: Lindos Blu, Casa Cook Rhodes, Boutique 5 Hotel and Spa BEST BUDGET HOTEL RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Delfini Beach Hotel BEST VILLAS: Kiotari Beach Villa, Axiotheaton Villas, SeaSide Suites BEST RESORT HOTELS FOR FAMILIES: Hotel Porto Angeli Beach Resort, Atlantica Aegean Family Resort, Rodos Princess Resort & Spa Transfer time: 1hr 30 minutes from Chania airport. #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. Crete is filled with fine beaches, ancient treasures, dreamy villages, wonderful cuisine, and hospitable locals who hold their traditional culture in high regard.