Agree a time with him and he'll come back for you later. Boat trips to Balos leave from the harbour. Each of these areas offers exceptional hotels, fantastic dining, and a wide range of nearby . The thrum centres around the Venetian harbour, the cafe-packed backstreets, and the extensive beach which extends to the east. Take a dip in the courtyard pool; a stylish seaside hotel. Although be warned, the walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. 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 beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. 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. Its only a matter of steps to the beach. Good value rooms and family-run studios abound check rooms and availability on Booking.com. 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). Best beaches in Crete - Lonely Planet Loutro:Porto Loutro On the Hill has the best position with balcony rooms looking out over the bay. For those on a smaller budget, have a look at the small and friendly Nostos Hotel which is a few minutes from the main harbour. #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. Three fine dining restaurants, state of the art spa, private sandy beach. Most hotels and rooms in Matala are simple and value. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati. Lovely beaches, ideal for a romantic break or family holiday. Crete Quiet Resorts & Hotels : Book a Hotel Room at one of many Quiet Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete. 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. Hersonissos is the biggest resort in Crete, its a large and lively resort town with something to suit every taste and budget. Anissaras beach http://www.flickr.com/photos/brownieboy27/4986950206/in/set-72157624948245648 Report inappropriate content roseyManchester manchester Libyan Princess is the most comfortable and modern hotel on the block. Numerous beautiful beaches with soft sand or colored pebbles are found in the prefecture of Chania in western Crete. You can always visit the amazing chapel of Prophet Elias. Kato Zakros is located on the east coast of the island around a 3 hour journey from Heraklion airport. 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. You cant miss it, its called Youth Hostel Plakias. 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 . Balos Beach, Crete. 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. Even the briefest of strolls through the village will showcase many of the wonderful pottery studios. Cool or what? The resort itself is sleepy but like most in the area the beach gets very busy in the summer. It is hardly surprising then that there are a world-class selection of beach hotels to choose from. The coastline between these cities is the busiest and most developed part of the island. Agiofaraggo beach Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized, Nudism-Friendly View on map Location: 80 km south west of Heraklion Town And you can find amazing rock formations nearby at Souda such as Calypso Bay. See More, An ultra-luxurious haven combining the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. event : evt, 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. Slap bang in the middle of the northern coastline, the city of Heraklion (also spelt Iraklio or Iraklion) is the capital and its surrounding coastline is some of the busiest and most developed on Crete. Heraklion Archaeological Museum is fantastic its worth visiting before you head out to the ancient sites if you can. The Best Luxury Hotels on Crete, Greece | The Hotel Guru Enjoyed this post? Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. 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. There are churches tucked away in winding streets, and for those of you who want to enjoy a waterside view without the sand, the town is built around a beautiful lake (Lake Voulismeni), where you can take in the views, whilst also dining in style in one of a multitude of lakeside restaurants. These vary greatly depending on the region and location: Snow white sand alternates with shell sand and fine gravel. Sfakia is the nearest town for amenities. What really amazed when I was in Crete was how quiet it is. Elounda Gulf Villas provide a free transfer to a private beach club. 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. Some beaches are considered 'insider tips' among locals and tourists and can only be reached on foot, while other beach areas regularly host large numbers of sun-hungry visitors. The 3* Villa Maxine Hotel is great value and has a chic poolside area. Plaka is also the gateway to the Spinalonga, the small fortress island that famously housed a leper colony and is now one of the main day trips in the area. Hostels: Chania has two gorgeous design hostel options Cocoon City Hostel and Kumba. Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Description: Malia is the most popular beach resort of Heraklion and the most famous nightlife spot in Crete. There is also a domestic airport in Sitia with flights from Athens. 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. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. 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". A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! Agiofarago Beach / Best Beaches in Crete Agiofarago Beach is the perfect beach in Crete if you want to sidestep the crowds. A spoiling beach treat! Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. One of the best beaches in the south coast of Crete, You can actually park the car by the beach, there are a couple o. Perhaps, Domatas unspoiled beauty has been preserved this long because the region has no roads or infrastructures. 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. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. Large rooms offer mountain views or sea views from the large glass windows. Transfer time: 1hr 40 minutes from Chania International airport. Theres plenty to keep older children entertained, including watersports and boat trips. For initial visits to Crete, especially if you have limited time to travel, plan on staying in one of the 5 main settlements. listeners: [], Agios Nikolaos, Or just Agios if you prefer, is a bustling town and working port. The best quiet beach in Crete? - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next beach break? Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. 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. Excellent Mediterranean dishes are served up in the restaurants. BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CRETE IN AGIOS NIKOLAOS ($$$) Minos Beach Art Hotel ($$) Miramare Resort & Spa ($) Ikaros Art Hotel FIND AGIOS NIKOLAOS HOTEL DEALS 5. THE 10 BEST Quiet Resorts in Crete 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor Enjoy the many dining options, good spa and lots of activities - tennis, water sports and nearby nightlife. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. It has a slightly scruffy feel but there are two town beaches, an archaeological museum and some excellent restaurants to entertain you. #3 Best Value of 119 Crete Resorts "The mini water park within the hotel is excellent, with plenty of slides for younger and older kids. Small ferry boats make the run over to Spinalonga from both Plaka and Elounda. There are seven restaurants to choose from, a kids' club, and a wide range of activities - a real crowd pleaser. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. For those who love to explore there are ruins all over the area dating from the Neolithic and Roman periods which, with a bit of tenacity can be uncovered and discovered. St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotels & Villas is a large 5* complex with direct beach access. Plenty of suites and private villas have pools. Blue Palace Elounda 9. 18. 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). Top choice is the IG-friendly swim-up rooms at Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa. 15 Quiet Beach Towns in America - PureWow #14 of 51 hotels in Georgioupolis. Wonderful! 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. 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. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. Mythology aside you can visit the ruins of the Minoan Zakros palace, which is a genuine archaeological site. 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. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Chania International airport. A spoiling stay. See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. If you think of a sleepy Greek fishing village, you probably have images of small boats bobbing in quartz waters, piles of multicoloured nets, and fishermen unloading their catch before nipping off to the Taverna for a cheeky ouzo. Nearby is the Palace of Malia, one of the best Minoan ruins on the island. Interiors are chic, contemporary and comfortable. on: function(evt, cb) { See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. Rooms mirror the outdoors, blue and breezy, some suites come with terraces and pools. 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. Hailing from the Emerald Isle she calls a small coastal town near Dublin home, but has lived in a few countries including Saigon, Vietnam where she resided for over a year. The landscape is dry and barren, and the beaches largely empty. Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection Show prices Enter dates to see prices If it tickles your fancy there is a naturist beach off to the east. Palm-fringed Preveli is one of the most unique and beautiful beaches on Crete. Many boat trips, excursions, and day tours are available, and its possible to make some journeys (such as hiking the Samaria Gorge) yourself by bus. 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 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. It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Resorts 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor 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. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. The main tourist street is Odos Halidon, which divides the old and new city. #30 Best Value of 32 Crete Luxury Beach Resorts The vibe is family-friendly thanks to its sheltered bay which is lined with a number of traditional tavernas. Most of the accommodation in this area is in traditional rooms and studios. Transfer time: 15 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Location 3.9. 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! You wont find parties and bars here, oh no. The 680-room Creta Maris Beach Resort is a beachfront all-inclusive resort a 10-minute walk from Limenas Hersonissos village. The main village is set 1km back from the beach and is a popular area for villas and expats. Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. There is a Venetian architrave, Byzantine churches, frescos from the 14th century, and oodles of lush green countryside as a backdrop. 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. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. Despite its proximity to larger resorts, the bus service to Sissi is limited, so its better suited to couples looking for a quiet place to stay in Crete or those wanting to explore the wild Agios Ioannis peninsula by car. It doesnt matter where you go you will always find greenery spots. Heraklion is Cretes capital and the largest city on the island. See more photos Add to shortlist. 2,101 reviews. Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel Show prices Enter dates to see prices 202 reviews Check out Aspri Petra Apartments or Asterias Village. 1. Agia Pelagia is halfway between Bali and Heraklion and is the only real beach resort to the west of the capital, to which it is connected by a regular bus service which takes about 1 hr. 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. 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. Development is focused around a small harbour and excellent beach sandy, with shallow child-friendly waters. per night. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. The long-distance hiking route passes through the area, and there are several smaller gorges and empty beaches such as Sweetwater to discover. Blue Palace Luxury Collection has views across to Spinalonga, an extensive spa, and direct access to a pebble beach. 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. Mexico is one of those well-rounded countries that offer a little bit of everything: food, culture, gorgeous landscapes, and some of the best hotels and resorts in the entire world. 7 Of The Best Resorts In Crete | TravelSupermarket Plakias is one of the nicest small resorts on Crete. 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. Ideal for totally relaxing. Agios Nikolaos has four sandy beaches though theyre all a little way out of the city Kitroplateira is the most central, Almiros is the nicest. All rooms come with an outdoor pool and private hot tubs. Malliotakis Beach Hotel and Aggelo Boutique Hotel are both close to the beach and offer stylish places to lay your head. Yes: Sougia is the best quiet beach in Crete, without a doubt. In certain lights as well, Balos Beach has a hint of pink sand. With itchy feet, an inquisitive nature and an ardent wanderlust, Emma Clair has always been a traveller at heart. The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. Mykonos is relatively small and you can easily drive around in a day. Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. Beach bums are better off at Plakias (see below). 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. Agia Roumeli is the most visited village in the area as it forms the exit point for the popular Samaria Gorge hike every day in the summer hundreds pop out of the gorge and onto a ferry to X where they can reconnect with the road system. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. Boasting unspoilt bay views, life plays out on a different tempo here. Its not perhaps as quaint as some of the other places on this list but what it lacks in tradition it more than makes up for in swankiness and still manages to retain an air of what makes Crete so great. 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. It also provides stunning views from all angles. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. 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. It can be as quiet or as rowdy as you like. Panormos is located on the North Coast of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. The resorts here are some of the nicest places to stay on Crete. Crete is filled with fine beaches, ancient treasures, dreamy villages, wonderful cuisine, and hospitable locals who hold their traditional culture in high regard.
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