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. 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. Drive 10 minutes south from Agios Nikolaos for the stunning 5* resort Daios Cove, which has its own beach and private seawater plunge pools. Self-catering and BBQ are available for all. One of the main things to do in Heraklion is to catch a ferry to visit Santorini, Mykonos and other places. 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. FalassarnaBeachhas 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. See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. The best of the rest are: Creta Blue Boutique Hotel & Suites, Villa Ippocampi,Casa Bianca Boutique Hotel,Abaton Island Resort & Spa, Cooks Club. Where to Stay on Mykonos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide This area is perfect for beach lovers (although its worth noting that the main beach does get very windy). Off the beaten track, this tranquil hotel is ideal for a simple seaside holiday for families. Did somebody say wine? 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). It does attract some tourists, mainly from the continent. 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. " 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 . 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. The lagoon itself is actually an island that can be reached by paddling out to it. Here you will find the emptiest beaches on the island and you can swim well into the autumn/winter months. St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotels & Villas is a large 5* complex with direct beach access. Palazzo Duca is one block behind the harbour and is clean and modern with comfortable Cocomat mattresses. Sougia is a small village located by the Libyan sea, it can be a bit of a drive, especially from some of the more developed areas, but that was half the fun! 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. BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. Euphoria Resort 7. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. For all intents and purposes its a real treasure. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. Interiors are chic, contemporary and comfortable. 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. If you like your beaches vast and often deserted then make a beeline for Frangokastello on the south coast. 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. Several of Eloundas top luxury hotels are actually in Plaka, so read the section above if you havent already. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. All rooms come with an outdoor pool and private hot tubs. #1 Best Value of 80 Beach Resorts in Crete . The scenery as you traverse the coast road with steep hills and lush greenery gives views that will take your breath away. Top things to see and do in Agios Nikolaos include: Porto Maltese Boutique Estate is Ag Niks most stylish des res, with a waterfront location, courtyard, and sympathetic restoration. Kalamaki is a relatively new town in Crete, it has more of a purpose-built feel to it. So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. 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. It has a quiet and authentic atmosphere and a well-sheltered beach its one of the best places in Crete for families with small children. The Troulis Apart-hotel is excellent value. Its a popular day-trip destination and the crowds somewhat marr the incredible natural landscape with its towering rock formations. Some suites have access to a private hot tub on the roof terrave. If youre planning on staying in the area for more than a few days in the summer then it makes sense to be out in one of Chanias coastal resorts, to take advantage of beach access and/or parking (which is very difficult in the centre). The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. Pick the Nana Princess in Hersonissos for a relaxing getaway. Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel Show prices Enter dates to see prices 202 reviews Yes: Sougia is the best quiet beach in Crete, without a doubt. South coast Agia Galini is a small harbour town that was once the biggest resort town in the Rethymno region. And its one of the warmest places in the Mediterranean in winter. 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. The swankiest resort in town is the long-established Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort. Our hotel experts have scoured the length and breadth of the island to bring you a collection of Crete's best beach hotels selected on their location, designs, service, and amenities. A luxurious hideaway near Rethymnon. This is Crete off-the-beaten-track. Bozzali. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. 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. 1,438 reviews. Transfer time: 1hr from Heraklion International airport. 20 BEST Crete Beaches To Visit - The World Pursuit The wonderful White Mountains are located in Western Crete, and their gleaming shine is the dominant feature of the region. Perhaps, Domatas unspoiled beauty has been preserved this long because the region has no roads or infrastructures. Agios Nikolaos, Or just Agios if you prefer, is a bustling town and working port. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. 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. 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. Private sandy beach, and fantastic facilties for all the family including a luxury spa and kids club. 2,101 reviews. . #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." Special offer 2022 8. Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. Most of the accommodation in this area is in traditional rooms and studios. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Resorts 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor See More, Luxury beach resort just minutes from Agios Nikolaos. })(); For all the legal bits go to myDisclaimer and Privacy Policy, Cretan cooking experience in the mountains, check rooms and availability on Booking.com, 10 Perfect Gifts for Foodies Who Love Greece (Ideal for a Hamper), 10 Best Places for a Sunny Winter City Break in Europe. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. Transfer time: 25 minutes to the main harbour from Chania International airport. 26. Other options include Hotel Loutro Bay,SifisandDaskalogiannis Hotel. There are so many luxury hotels in Elounda that its impossible to list them all. Heraklion is Cretes capital and the largest city on the island. What was once a small Greek village has now become a cosmopolitan town, with bars, restaurants and hotels surrounding picturesque Lake Voulismeni. On a budget? 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. Swanky Aspalathos Falassarna Villas has an infinity pool, hot tub and sauna. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. The 10 Best Resorts in Chania, Greece | Booking.com There are lots of good value hotels in Sitia, though in general decor is a tad dated check Booking.com for prices and availability. #26 Best Value of 502 Quiet Hotels in Crete. Sumptuous suites and villas have cool contemporary interiors and fabulous sea views, and many with their own private pool. Fortunately, the prices in Elounda dont have a Hollywood price tag. Chania (pronounced Hania and sometimes spelt Xania), with its old Venetian streets, is the gem of Crete and its nicest city. Small ferry boats make the run over to Spinalonga from both Plaka and Elounda. Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. 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. 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. Loutro:Porto Loutro On the Hill has the best position with balcony rooms looking out over the bay. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Resorts 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor A spoiling stay. 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. With itchy feet, an inquisitive nature and an ardent wanderlust, Emma Clair has always been a traveller at heart. I think it time for a bring visit back! 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. Set in landscaped gardens, the freshly reinvented Radisson Blu Beach Resort has seven pools, direct beach acces, and is popular with families. What delights visitors the most about the White Mountains is the central and southern part of the Lefka Ori which, due to the high altitude, resembles a lunar landscape and offers visiting hikers a surreal experience of walking on the moon which, is wholly unique to the northern hemisphere. { Go in the shoulder months and youll be rewarded with a day trip to remember. Blue Palace Luxury Collection has views across to Spinalonga, an extensive spa, and direct access to a pebble beach. Transfer time: 55 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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 best quiet beach in Crete? - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor The five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. Nearby is the Palace of Malia, one of the best Minoan ruins on the island. 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. This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. Theres a wide selection of accommodation, easy transport links, a short airport transfer, and child-friendly shallow waters. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. Its still a 30-minute drive from Sitia. Beach balls aside there is more to Plakias than sand and sunshine. The beauty of Margarites does not need to be explained or even described, the minute it comes into view- it will take your breath away. These vary greatly depending on the region and location: Snow white sand alternates with shell sand and fine gravel. Transfer time: 1hr 40 minutes from Chania International airport. #30 Best Value of 32 Crete Luxury Beach Resorts The best beaches in Crete | CN Traveller The Royal Blue Resort. Milatos is a small and low-key beach resort just beyond Sissi. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas.