Drive 10 minutes south from Agios Nikolaos for the stunning 5* resort Daios Cove, which has its own beach and private seawater plunge pools. Crete is a large island the fifth largest in the Mediterranean and you can find whatever youre looking for in each region. Accommodation in Frangokastello is all self-catered and around the same price point. Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. Transfer time: 1hr 40 minutes from Chania International airport. forms: { There's a gorgeous lagoon-style pool, a small spa, and a restaurant. 1. 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. Home / Beautiful Places / Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs. Despite its size, Pacific Grove has more B&Bs than any other coastal . Bozzali. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. 5. Where to Stay on Rhodes: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide 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. The Greek islands with the best beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. 5* Minos Beach Art Hotel has 1km of beach access, spacious grounds, and calming minimalist decor. Packages to Stalis are available through TUI. There are seven restaurants to choose from, a kids' club, and a wide range of activities - a real crowd pleaser. The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. 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. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. See More, An ultra-luxurious haven combining the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. Enjoyed this post? See More, Domes Noruz Chania boasts a spectacular location on the coast of 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. T Hotel Premium Suites is the most comfortable place in town. Explore the surrounding islands or simply lie back and relax. 1. 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. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Once youve driven (carefully) to the town youll find a laid-back vibe and easy-going atmosphere that is synonymous with most of the lesser-known spots on the island. Show Prices. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Chania International airport. Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. However, Balos Beach caught our eye for its clean waters and beautiful offshore reefs. 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. Enjoy the many dining options, good spa and lots of activities - tennis, water sports and nearby nightlife. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. The walk between these two areas is truly stunning, the path along the way is marked with cairns to guide your route thankfully as it is easy to get distracted by the views! Several of the Elounda luxury resorts are actually in Plaka. })(); 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. Malia can be a great option for cheap last minute packages keep an eye on Lastminute.com for deals. Glyka Nera is located on the south coast of Crete a 2 hour 30 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. If you're looking for a quiet, isolated experience . Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. 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)! If it tickles your fancy there is a naturist beach off to the east. Transfer time: 1hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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). Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. There are plenty of options for self-catered too, likeVilla Niki. The further out, the quieter it gets. And theres an ancient Minoan site that youre likely to have to yourself. Value 4.1. A perfect miniature island-hopping adventure. A spoiling beach treat! There are so many luxury hotels in Elounda that its impossible to list them all. Where to Stay on Crete: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide 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. The best quiet beach in Crete? - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor Service 4.3. With itchy feet, an inquisitive nature and an ardent wanderlust, Emma Clair has always been a traveller at heart. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( 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. But the highlight is the peaceful and picture-perfect sugar cube village of Loutro, with its whitewashed walls and electric blue seas. . The Top 3 Best Crete Family Resorts | Oyster.com Kalamaki is located on the south coast of the island around an hours drive from Heraklion airport. Where to Stay in Crete: 14 Best Areas - The Nomadvisor Definitely one of the most unspoiled places to visit in Crete, the pretty peaceful village of Loutro evokes some strong emotion when you land here it is truly like stepping back in time! One of the most beautiful cities in all of Greece, Chania is unsurprisingly a popular tourist destination. Its located on the western end of the north coast, withpeaks of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) providing a dramatic backdrop. See More, A luxury boutique hotel with quirky design and a private stretch of beach. Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chania. Transfer time: 1hr from Heraklion International airport. See More, Impressive luxury resort, totally insulated from the outside world in semi-tropical gardens. Return to simpler times at this beautiful hideaway on Crete. And oh the food! Grecotel Meli Palace and Kalimera Kriti Resort both have direct beach access. Few make it out this far, despite its calling card the impressive (but empty) Venetian castle on its shore. Plakias is located along the south coast of the island around an hour and 40 min drive from Heraklion Airport. Kissamos is a working port town on the northwestern edge of Crete. On the beautiful beach of Kolymbari, 20 km from the city of Chania, lies Grand Bay Beach Resort. THE 10 BEST Crete Luxury Resorts 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor 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. 1,438 reviews. Show prices. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Resorts 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor 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. 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. If youre used to staying in small villages then you may find Bali too busy and commercialised. If you are a true adventurer take your flashlight and head up to Milatos caves. Malliotakis Beach Hotel and Aggelo Boutique Hotel are both close to the beach and offer stylish places to lay your head. 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. The 5-star hotels on the harbourfront are Scala de Faroand Domus Renier. The outskirts of Hersonissos are home to some of Cretes swankiest 5* resort hotels. Self-catering and BBQ are available for all. As with the other northern cities, it has a Venetian Fortress (the Kazarma) and an Archaeological Museum. 18. Located to the eastern side of the island of Crete, Kato Zakros is a bit out of the way, but well worth the visit. For all intents and purposes its a real treasure. Good value rooms and family-run studios abound check rooms and availability on Booking.com. This ultra-luxurious haven combines the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. 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. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. The five restaurants serve a range of food from sushi to Greek and there's a fabulous spa too. The beach of Myrtos is a hidden treasure which, rarely gets crowded and provides a real opportunity to take a load off and truly relax. } 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 . See More, A modern North Western Crete resort and spa, surrounded by acres of lush landscaped gardens. NORTH: Rugged and unpopulated, with quiet but windy beaches. This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. Although the panorama can make you trigger happy with the camera, dont ignore the beauty right beside you on the path a Venetian fort, ancient churches, ancient cisterns, and the breath-taking remains of the ruined ancient town of Pikilassos, not to mention the beautiful flora and fauna that you encounter along the way, including lots of olive trees resist the urge to pillage! See More, Experience luxury in abundance at this peninsula hotel with contemporary, stylish decor and sea views. listeners: [], Its also a good base if you want to rent a car as there are plenty of beaches to explore in the area and its only a 15-minute drive to Rethymnon. Mykonos has the best beach clubs (and nightlife). Other options include Hotel Loutro Bay,SifisandDaskalogiannis Hotel. If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. The main town in the region is likeable Agios Nikolaos (or Ag Nik, as its affectionately known), which makes up the quartet of north coast main cities. 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. The surrounding hillsides are home to a swathe of lovely resort hotels and a few minor beaches. Budget alternatives include Axos Hotel and Swell Boutique Hotel. 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. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. Plaka has a lovely beach, especially lovely if you dont like sand getting everywhere, as its made from pebbles. 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. Transfer time: 1hr 15 minutes from Heraklion airport. Numerous beautiful beaches with soft sand or colored pebbles are found in the prefecture of Chania in western Crete. But there are many places offering rooms and studios at a great price. The resorts here are some of the nicest places to stay on Crete. Isolated, authentic, and very tranquil, Lentas isnt for Crete thrill-seekers or partygoers. Hostels: Chania has two gorgeous design hostel options Cocoon City Hostel and Kumba. 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). 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. Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. Visit Mosque of the Janissaries in Crete | Expedia Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. The beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. 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. 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. 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. A luxurious hideaway near Rethymnon. Check out Aspri Petra Apartments or Asterias Village. Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. An award winning restaurant, a superb wine list and a well-known spa on site. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati. But almost every island has at least a few great swimming beaches. Stavros Bay aerial: Mike Drosos / Shutterstock, Matala rocks: Georgios Tsichlis / Shutterstock, Map of Crete: The Mediterranean Traveller, Map of Chania region The Mediterranean Traveller, Elafonissi: Zakhar Marunov / Adobe Stock, Paleochora: Vladimir1984 / Shutterstock, Map of Rethymnon region The Mediterranean Traveller, Panormo: Jaroslav Moravcik / Shutterstock, Agia Galini: Georgios Kritsotakis / Shutterstock, Map of Heraklion region The Mediterranean Traveller, Agia Pelagia: Kiev.Victor / Shutterstock, Map of Lasithi region The Mediterranean Traveller, Agios Nikolaos: olgaarkhipenko / Adobe Stock, Elounda: Georgios Tsichlis / Shutterstock.