Belvedere Apartments are box fresh and have spa access. Crete's Best Beach Hotels | The Hotel Guru Inside the old town: for historic charm check outBozzali Hotel with its whitewashed decor and cute courtyard, whereas Casa Delfino offers a modern take on the traditional Venetian mansion. 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. Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. 8. Did somebody say wine? Transfer time: 1hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. Big Sur's craggy cliffs are breathtaking, but for an equally beautiful and less crowded California alternative, try this quiet spot tucked between Monterey and Carmel. Kids go free to the Minoan Amusement Park. 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. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. 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. So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. Theres no real village to speak of, but there are a few places to stay tucked away in the flat plain behind the beach. Historically all of the tourist accommodation has been outside the city in the summer resorts. Few make it out this far, despite its calling card the impressive (but empty) Venetian castle on its shore. A classy, modern hotel. Walking through the forest is sublime, and the river that cuts through it is clean enough to swim in (we should hope so as it leads directly out onto Plakias beach). 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. 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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The nearest rooms are a few miles away try the sereneGlykeria Hoteland Elafonisi Resort. The thrum centres around the Venetian harbour, the cafe-packed backstreets, and the extensive beach which extends to the east. Sifaka & Gavaladon 5, Old Town, Chania, Crete Island, 73101. Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. Lyttos Mare 5. Agia Galini has a great selection of accommodation. This amazing place is like the Caribbean side of Crete. See More, Impressive luxury resort, totally insulated from the outside world in semi-tropical gardens. Mar 20 - Mar 21. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. Balos Beach, Crete. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. Yes: Sougia is the best quiet beach in Crete, without a doubt. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Chania International airport. Cool or what? 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. 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! East of Sitia the crowds really thin out most tourists dont make it beyond this point. Transfer time: 15-45 minutes from Chania International airport. A luxury beach holiday. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. Cleanliness 4.3. #3 in Best Resorts in Crete Tripadvisor (921) 1 critic awards 5.0-star Hotel Class Free WiFi Overview Reviews Deals Rooms Kalimera Kriti Hotel Village Resort is a 5 star hotel located. Two Cretes minor islands Chryssi and Koufonisi are just off this part of the shore. 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)! Elafonisi Lagoon is located on the west coast of the Greek island of Crete around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. A good selection of bars and restaurants. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. The infamous resort of Malia is known for its 24hr party scene its the best spot for nightlife on Crete, as legions of teenage boys well know. The coastline is developed on either side, but it was the introduction of budget flights to Chania airport that really put it on the map. The area is also crisscrossed with donkey paths that make it fantastic for walking (its possible to walk to Plaka). 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). With that and the relative peace and quiet, its an ideal spot to just be on this wonderful island. A spoiling stay. Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. Tourism here peaked in the 90s and as such it has a slightly careworn feel and is friendly but not busy. 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. The hotel is all-inclusive but the food was of excellent quality." Breakfast included 2022 4. 1. Discover our best beaches of Crete: Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna in Chania, Preveli in Rethymno, Vai in Lassithi, and more. 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. Agiofarago Beach / Best Beaches in Crete Agiofarago Beach is the perfect beach in Crete if you want to sidestep the crowds. It has the same old-world charms with its colourful Venetian harbourfront, relics of Turkish rule, student population, and tangle of tiny alleys. Malia can be a great option for cheap last minute packages keep an eye on Lastminute.com for deals. See More, A stylish modern hotel with spacious one-bedroom suites with a separate living room and great views over the ocean. Many Chania beaches are among the best on the island, such as Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi. The 3* Villa Maxine Hotel is great value and has a chic poolside area. 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! Its super sedate. Show prices. . } Kissamos is a working port town on the northwestern edge of Crete. Pick the Nana Princess in Hersonissos for a relaxing getaway. The surrounding hillsides are home to a swathe of lovely resort hotels and a few minor beaches. Mount Ida is the tallest peak of the range, named after the daughter of the King of Crete according to Greek mythology. There's a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, a small spa, and a restaurant. 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. The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. 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. Besides the beach, guests gather at the Olympic-sized pool and water park with a big slides for older kids and adults. The best quiet beach in Crete? - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor Take your pick from three gourmet restaurants and bars, including a poolside bar. There are plenty of options for self-catered too, likeVilla Niki. There are a number of hotels right on the beach such as the modern and comfortable Sofia Hotel. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. If it tickles your fancy there is a naturist beach off to the east. Transfer time: 2 hours 30 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. 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. 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. Its vulnerable to high winds but on the other hand, this makes it ideal for surfers. 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. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. There are more Minoan ruins worth discovering though head further afield to Malia and Phaistos. 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. There is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. 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. For a private beach, an award-winning spa and fine dining, try the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Beach bums are better off at Plakias (see below). 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. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. If you want to be closer to the beaches, Nostos Beach Boutique Hotel is freshly renovated and has a pool, beach bar and day beds. On the beautiful beach of Kolymbari, 20 km from the city of Chania, lies Grand Bay Beach Resort. The south is wild and remote with a spectacularly rocky coast and a few standout beach resorts. 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. An award winning restaurant, a superb wine list and a well-known spa on site. Honeymoons - A haven of tranquility with private villas with mountian and sea views, spoiling massages and haute cuisine overlooking the bay. Heraklion is located on the north coast of Crete and is home to the main airport of the island. There are two routes to the beach by boat or for the most extreme, there is a path from Chora Sfakion and another from Loutro. Plaka has a lovely beach, especially lovely if you dont like sand getting everywhere, as its made from pebbles. Chania (pronounced Hania and sometimes spelt Xania), with its old Venetian streets, is the gem of Crete and its nicest city. 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. "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.". 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. Although elements of the walk can be tiring, its most definitely worth it. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. 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. See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. 25 of the best places to stay in Greece and the Greek islands 23 Best Beaches In Greece to Visit in 2023 - The Planet D And oh the food! Location 3.9. The Troulis Apart-hotel is excellent value. Nearby is the Palace of Malia, one of the best Minoan ruins on the island. of the rooms, the quality of the beach. Perhaps, Domatas unspoiled beauty has been preserved this long because the region has no roads or infrastructures. 7 Of The Best Resorts In Crete | TravelSupermarket 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. La Maison Ottomane brings a touch of Ottoman decadence meets modern style.