A good selection of bars and restaurants. Makrigialis, on the other hand, is a small and friendly traditional beach resort. The city of Rethymnon (you might also see it spelt Rethymno or Rethimno) is like a smaller, more chilled version of Chania. For a private beach, an award-winning spa and fine dining, try the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. That said, they are exposed to the northwesterly Meltemi wind which blasts Greece throughout the summer beware big waves and undercurrents when the wind is blowing, pay attention to local advice. For those who dont fancy a steep, heady climb on their holidays, it is possible to hire a fishing boat in Agia Roumeli to take you to Domata. Ligaria is located on the north coast of Crete around a 30 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Swanky Aspalathos Falassarna Villas has an infinity pool, hot tub and sauna. Visitors here can simply detox from life and tackle long-awaited books, take walks along the stunning scenery or simply eat, drink and be merry. 17. Small ferry boats make the run over to Spinalonga from both Plaka and Elounda. Another sleepy Crete village, Tsoutsouros is undeveloped and charming (just how we like it). Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. Very good. Mykonos has the best beach clubs (and nightlife). Heres a complete rundown on where to stay in Crete to help you choose which part of the island to choose, which town, resort or beach is for you, and the best beach hotels, whether youre booking accommodation DIY or looking for a package vacation. Mount Ida is the tallest peak of the range, named after the daughter of the King of Crete according to Greek mythology. That said, there are bus links to Rethymno and Heraklion so car hire is not necessary. Cool or what? Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. T Hotel Premium Suites is the most comfortable place in town. There are of resort hotels in Bali strung out along the coast many are looking a bit dated but there are a few standouts. The Spinalonga peninsula is connected to the town by a causeway the peninsula curves right around and the UNESCO-listed island sits at its tip, creating a natural harbour sheltered from the elements. Transfer time: 55 minutes from Heraklion International airport. This ultra-luxurious haven combines the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. 9 Theofanus Street, Chania, Crete Island, 731 00. Location 3.9. Packages to Stalis are available through TUI. 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. Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. If it tickles your fancy there is a naturist beach off to the east. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. You can always visit the amazing chapel of Prophet Elias. The beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. On a budget? Private sandy beach, and fantastic facilties for all the family including a luxury spa and kids club. The swankiest resort in town is the long-established Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort. 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. 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. #1 Best Value of 1,305 Crete Beach Hotels "Beach - Currently sitting on the beach I can tell you it is a little sun trap! A wonderful place to visit and stay in Crete! Transfer time: 1hr 35 minutes from Chania International airport. Captains House is in a traditional building by the waterfront a friendly welcome, fantastic sea views, and comfy beds. 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. There are no luxury hotels in the area, but an excellent selection of traditional family-run hotels and pensions, many with sea views. A small town located on a small peninsula in southwest Crete, Paleochora is ideal if you want a bit of both. 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. 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. 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. Most hotels and rooms in Matala are simple and value. Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. The gorge became a national park in 1962, particularly as a refuge for the rare kri-kri (Cretan goat), which is elusive on the rest of the island. With steep sandy-coloured rocks dropping directly into the sea in this horseshoe-shaped bay and crystal clear water it is postcard perfect. A classy, modern hotel. If you are staying one or more nights, you dont need to worry about thumping music or all-night parties. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. Most of the beach is lined with tavernas, cafes and bars, but with easy acces to the city. Top attractions and things to do in Chania include: Head west from the main harbour to hit the town beaches Nea Chora is the closest and a 15-minute walk, Chryssi Akti is the nicest. Three fine dining restaurants, state of the art spa, private sandy beach. . It attracts a younger crowd than Agia Galini, more families and independent travellers. Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Here are the best luxury Crete resorts on the beach. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. #14 of 51 hotels in Georgioupolis. 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 45 minutes from Chania International airport. Blue Palace Elounda 9. There are lots of lovely places to stay in Rethymnon. 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. On the beautiful beach of Kolymbari, 20 km from the city of Chania, lies Grand Bay Beach Resort. On the beach: Check out LUX.ME White Palace and Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort for sheer whitewashed bliss right on the beach. 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. Stay in Ierapetra: The Cretan Villa Hotel is a handsome restored 18th century building, or try apartments like the Big Blue Suites. But it would be a shame to miss out on the excellent tavernas in Panormo. Elegant, with a private beach, fine dining restaurants and an award-winning spa. The long-distance hiking route passes through the area, and there are several smaller gorges and empty beaches such as Sweetwater to discover. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. See More, Experience luxury in abundance at this peninsula hotel with contemporary, stylish decor and sea views. Triopetra Beach is located on the south of the island around a 2 hour drive from Heraklion airport. Kalamaki is a relatively new town in Crete, it has more of a purpose-built feel to it. 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. 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. Fantastic food served up and two bars for you to try out. A collection of understated luxury rooms and bungalows are elegantly decorated with simple white walls and minimalist artworks. As Chania is a regional capital and in close proximity to so many beach resorts, it makes a great base to explore the west of the island. 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. Transfer time: 1hr 30 minutes from Chania airport. 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. Youll find the standard Greek beachside fare if you want to have a halftime break, and nestled in its backstreets are a multitude of boutique-style shops selling some handmade, and some not-so-handmade trinkets. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. Agia Roumeli: Lots of budget rooms all around the same price point thanks to the proliferation of walkers tryAgia Roumeli Hotel or Gigilos which are both right on the beach. This area is perfect for beach lovers (although its worth noting that the main beach does get very windy). "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.". Ideal for totally relaxing. 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. 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 five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. The small city of Sitia is a working port town with a pleasant seafront promenade, a sandy town beach, and a slow lifestyle. The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. One of the main things to do in Heraklion is to catch a ferry to visit Santorini, Mykonos and other places. . 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. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. There are enough family-run tavernas and seafood restaurants that you can eat out somewhere different every night for a fortnight. Transfer time: 25 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Its a 40-minute drive to Rethymno. So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. 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. The Ottoman influence is front and centre at the Hamam Oriental Suites, housed in a former hammam building some rooms have hot tubs. Balos Beach is one of the best beaches in Greece if you want that fine white sand aesthetic. The lazy river was a particular highlight. Suites and private villas have personal pools. 5. Drive 10 minutes south from Agios Nikolaos for the stunning 5* resort Daios Cove, which has its own beach and private seawater plunge pools. See More, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies this luxury Cretan resort in Malia. Set on an unspoiled beach, the resort offers bespoke suites and private bungalows with custom-made furniture and natural accents inspired by the landscape. See More, Blue Palace, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies the luxury, Equally swish and perhaps just that little bit smarter the. Explore the surrounding islands or simply lie back and relax. on: function(evt, cb) { Elounda is a good middle ground for those who dont want utter isolation, but still want to keep their break fairly relaxed. Some of the beach resorts along Rethymnon beach include: The area around Platanes is popular and sandy. #1 Best Value of 80 Beach Resorts in Crete "Highlights were Excellent, clean sandy beach and lot of sun beds on beach, around pools etc. 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. Options are spread out along the vast beach so check the location before booking if you want to be closer to the castle for proximity to the few tavernas and cafes. Most likely, it will only be you, the sound of the lapping water, the bristling sun and the rustle of the pine trees. See More, A home-away-from-home set in a stunning rural spot with beaches, bars and tavernas a walk away. One of the main attractions of this part of Crete is Vai Beach, the famously exotic palm beach and former hippie colony. Some suites have access to a private hot tub on the roof terrave. 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. of the rooms, the quality of the beach. A lively beach town, the resort of Bali is set around a handful of coves in a scenic bay. 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. Greece has over 1000 islands of which only 227 are inhabited. I loved Ligaria a small and charming seaside village located on the north side of Crete especially its lovely beach which has the same name. #30 Best Value of 32 Crete Luxury Beach Resorts Its a popular day-trip destination and the crowds somewhat marr the incredible natural landscape with its towering rock formations. Some swim-up rooms are available. Agiofarago Beach / Best Beaches in Crete Agiofarago Beach is the perfect beach in Crete if you want to sidestep the crowds. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. If you are looking for a bit of space then Plakias offers one of the largest beaches in Crete. 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. An adults-only hotel in a converted historic mansion, it has been elegantly restored and has its own hammam. These vary greatly depending on the region and location: Snow white sand alternates with shell sand and fine gravel. This 5* property offers boutique accommodation decorated in a typically Mediterranean fashion and with either a private plunge pool or hot tub. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. Its deliciously quiet in shoulder season. 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. It has the same old-world charms with its colourful Venetian harbourfront, relics of Turkish rule, student population, and tangle of tiny alleys. Their wild and remote location and lack of road access have helped to preserve their beauty. The beaches in this area are all sandy, clean and stretch as far as the eye can see! Outside this, its a large resort town with an excellent (though busy) beach, an unashamedly commercial centre, and a charming old quarter (Old Malia), where youll find traditional houses and tavernas.
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