Here, you can available of the offerings from the nearby tavernas and umbrellas are available. 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. 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. Euphoria Resort 7. The south is wild and remote with a spectacularly rocky coast and a few standout beach resorts. La Maison Ottomane brings a touch of Ottoman decadence meets modern style. 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. A classy, modern hotel. Yes: Sougia is the best quiet beach in Crete, without a doubt. Value 4.1. That said, there are bus links to Rethymno and Heraklion so car hire is not necessary. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. Self-catering and BBQ are available for all. A luxurious hideaway near Rethymnon. Boutique and luxury: Cressa Corona Boutique Hotel is the best address in town. See More, Impressive luxury resort, totally insulated from the outside world in semi-tropical gardens. Cool or what? There's a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, a small spa, and a restaurant. Mar 20 - Mar 21. In addition to 14 freshwater outdoor and indoor pools, it has a 350-meter beach with umbrellas, beach chairs, water sports (for a fee), beach volleyball, and beach parties hosted by the entertainment team. Agiofaraggo beach Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized, Nudism-Friendly View on map Location: 80 km south west of Heraklion Town If you have a mix of old and young children or value convenience then Stalis is a solid option. BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Essentially, Myrtos has something to offer everyone from a secluded, sandy seafront to a large dose of historical culture. Most likely, it will only be you, the sound of the lapping water, the bristling sun and the rustle of the pine trees. Honeymoons - A haven of tranquility with private villas with mountian and sea views, spoiling massages and haute cuisine overlooking the bay. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. It feels a little like the end of the known world, and Sfakions are known for their fierce independence and excellent cheese pies. 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. 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 . Drive 10 minutes south from Agios Nikolaos for the stunning 5* resort Daios Cove, which has its own beach and private seawater plunge pools. 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 perfect miniature island-hopping adventure. ". There are a number of hotels right on the beach such as the modern and comfortable Sofia Hotel. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport, 1 hr 10 minutes from Heraklion International Airport book a transfer. See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. They get progressively smaller, more village-like and quieter the further out you get. It does attract some tourists, mainly from the continent. 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. Each of these areas offers exceptional hotels, fantastic dining, and a wide range of nearby . Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. Ierapetra is known as the capital of the south coast as its the biggest town along the coast, and one of the southernmost towns in Europe. Minos Beach Art Hotel Agios Nikolaos, Crete 129 rooms from 336. Suites, bungalows, and villas are light and airy with large swathes of glass and a modern take on Cretian design. On a budget? The main tourist street is Odos Halidon, which divides the old and new city. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. 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)! 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 . The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! 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. What really amazed when I was in Crete was how quiet it is. 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. The wonderful White Mountains are located in Western Crete, and their gleaming shine is the dominant feature of the region. Kalamaki is located on the south coast of the island around an hours drive from Heraklion airport. Panormos is located on the North Coast of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. Transfer time: 1hr 30 minutes from Chania airport. 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. Elafonisi Lagoon is located on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. Nana Princess Suites Villas & Spa 2. Theres an excellent selection of tavernas, and its a short drive to Agios Nikolaos for city delights. Both a beautiful and quiet place to visit in Crete. event : evt, #8 Best Value of 35 Exclusive Resorts in Crete. Margarites is located in the very centre of the island of Crete, its an unspoiled village surrounded by the vibrant green hills of the Rethymnon region and is as well known for its picturesque panorama as it is for its extensive pottery trade. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Giannoulis - Grand Bay Beach Resort (Exclusive Adults Only) Kolymvari. Top things to see and do in Rethymno include: And possible day trips in the area include: Rethymnon Beach is Cretes longest sandy beach at 12km long, and as it extends east from the city it swallows up villages that have long since morphed into suburban beach resorts. 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. The Troulis Apart-hotel is excellent value. 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. Its a relaxed resort town (well compared to its busier neighbours) and if you want a no-nonsense turn-up and relax on the beach holiday then this is a good choice. 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 hardly surprising then that there are a world-class selection of beach hotels to choose from. 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. Rooms mirror the outdoors, blue and breezy, some suites come with terraces and pools. 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. Return to simpler times at this beautiful hideaway on Crete. If you have a car then you might also want to consider accommodation up in Mirtios village above the bay. Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. Its vulnerable to high winds but on the other hand, this makes it ideal for surfers. 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. There are a few tavernas and perhaps the occasional cafe bordering the shallow rocky beach. (function() { Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. 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. PRIVACY POLICY TERMS & CONDITION, Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs, Minos Palace Hotel & Suites Adults Only, The Royal Senses Resort Crete, Curio Collection by Hilton, Explore the Mediterranean Sea in a different way with, After a fun-filled day, relax and rejuvenate with, Discover peaceful, uncrowded scenery walking through, Learn about the architectural treasures from around the area and history of the village at, Dont leave without buying a piece of handcrafted pottery as, Find a spot near a bar or taverna along the beach to. There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. Its a windswept and low-key kind of place, with remnants of a hippie vibe. Glyka Nera is located on the south coast of Crete a 2 hour 30 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati. All rooms come with an outdoor pool and private hot tubs. The five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. listeners: [], Pick the Nana Princess in Hersonissos for a relaxing getaway. 8. You wont find parties and bars here, oh no. 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. 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. Heading to the beautiful Greek island of Crete this year? 26. 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. 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. Avli Luxury Apartments are sumptuously decorated and theres a rooftop pool. 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. 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. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. per night. If you are looking for a bit of space then Plakias offers one of the largest beaches in Crete. Utterly relaxing. However, Balos Beach caught our eye for its clean waters and beautiful offshore reefs. See More, Luxury beach resort just minutes from Agios Nikolaos. The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. GBP $ USD EUR $ AUD $ CAD. 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. Suites and private villas have personal pools. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. 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. Perhaps, Domatas unspoiled beauty has been preserved this long because the region has no roads or infrastructures. Aside from the peacefulness of the region, it is hard not to be astounded by the artwork the elements left behind- a series of terraces in the rock face which, will undoubtedly leave you awestruck. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. 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. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. Several of Eloundas top luxury hotels are actually in Plaka, so read the section above if you havent already. If you want to explore the culinary, you will have a vast variety of restaurants and amazing coffee shops.

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