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. Historically all of the tourist accommodation has been outside the city in the summer resorts.
Crete is divided into four provinces, each headed up by a regional capital on the north coast – Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos. It has to be said that there are basically no beaches in or around the city and this is the limit of Heraklion I believe. 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’s not as touristy as other parts of the island, which is absolutely great. Now read:Best Greek islands to visit, The 10 most beautiful beaches in the South of France, 8 castles you can actually rent on Airbnb. The further out, the quieter it gets.
Set in landscaped tropical gardens, it has 7 pools, a spa, and access to a rocky private beach. Finding where to stay in Crete might seem no easy task, but with authentic accommodation, delicious food and fantastic hospitality, you're guaranteed to have an incredible vacation. Generally, they offer the best transport links as well as plenty to do, see and eat!
There are however a few beaches covered by the breakwater that keep the area as a natural pool, Marina Beach and the ones around the port are the most popular ones. In Chania there are a ton of great restaurants and bars, with so much better quality, not just catering the tourists. If you love the idea of an eco-friendly hotel who takes the environment seriously, then Olive Green Hotel is your best bet.
I guess that’s where you will land.
Crossing the south of the island is difficult.
It’s also a lovely base for exploring the unspoiled eastern Crete area or taking a day trip over to Chrissi island. You could even think to split your stay with 2 days in Palaiochora, 4 days in Loutro and 1 day in Chania (the night before your flight).
We made You Could Travel for you. By clicking on the "Submit your comment" button you are giving permission to store your data (name, email and website, if added). Also, I’ll be traveling solo, do you have any inputs for solo female travelers in Crete? Crete might not look it at first glance, but it's an island of many landscapes, suitable for an array of activities. There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area that’s full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. 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. They run quite frequently, very easy and inexpensive.
Obviously, I could stop and take my time and photos something that is impossible to do with public transportation. For beaches, food and wine I would suggest to stay in Chania for the 7 days.
Take a 15-minute walk uphill from the main town and you will find Koutouloufari and Piskopiano, two traditional villages that are increasingly popular for upmarket accommodation options. The stunning and completely unique island has everything you could dream of to kick off your new life together. As it is located along a peninsula, it offers beautiful views, authentic culture and a selection of excellent sandy and pebbly beaches. It is an adult-only accommodation which means you can be sure you will have a tranquil time, especially in the pool area.
You can also think to rent your own vehicle, the trip is an adventure by itself. Rent a car and drive to Vai Beach, the only palm beach in Europe, so spectacular. Recommended mid-range hotel : Libyan Princess.
Again hard decision. Rethymno is more of a city town than a village. A once laid-back fishing village that was discovered by hippies back in the 1960s, the legendary Matala, not far from Kommos Beach, is no longer a best-kept secret. GREECE OFF-SEASON – WHAT TO DO IN GREECE IN WINTER, GREEK LAMB KLEFTIKO RECIPE – THE CLASSIC ‘STOLEN MEAT’ DISH. Despite its proximity to larger resorts, the bus service to Sissi is limited, so it’s 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. The Almyrida Bay Hotel offers simple great value accommodation including a great pool, with a dedicated section for small kids (see photos here). It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. On a budget? The beach is a mix of shingle and sand, and the water is crystal clear and calm. It’s more about the beauty of the area and possibly the resort where you will stay.
One of my fav villages. Would love any recommendations you can provide. Hi there, loved your site. A steep, winding road leads down to the swirling Smurf-blue waters, pearl-white sands and views of ancient Minoan settlement ruins (off limits to the public). It does attract some tourists, mainly from the continent.
Chania or Elounda area, are my two thoughts. Top things to see and do in Heraklion include: Ammoudara is the easiest beach to reach from the city – the line 12 bus runs throughout the day. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport.
The boat has the clear advantage that you do not have to stress with the drive but the drawback is the possible choppy sea and you have to move with the group, arriving all at the same time and looking everyone for a spot under the umbrella. Along with Chania, Heraklion is one of the most popular places to stay in Crete, and many visitors are torn between one or the other. It’s 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. Best spots to stay in Crete – You can also check the interactive Google Map here. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. The south is wild and remote with a spectacularly rocky coast and a few standout beach resorts. The whole family can enjoy day ….and night.
There are 2 nice beaches, both facing north. Many boat trips, excursions, and day tours are available, and it’s possible to make some journeys (such as hiking the Samaria Gorge) yourself by bus. We’re late thirties recently met, like restaurants, great food and bars. We are planning on renting a car if we end up going to Crete. I hope I was able to help out From Agios Nikolaos I suggest a visit to the uninhabited small island of Chrissi, with the best crystal clear water I have ever seen.
It is said that on clear days you can see the African continent (I didn’t and it was a spectacular day). event : evt, It may get wavy in the afternoon, however, you can still find calm water on the east side, a part of the beach covered by a small pier. It’s a promise the reality lives up to.
Hello and congrats for the article! Captain’s House is in a traditional building by the waterfront – a friendly welcome, fantastic sea views, and comfy beds.
You can also check out the Knossos Palace however I would not sleep in Heraklion, unless you have an early flight. Z Boutique Hotel has comfortable rooms and a small pool.
There is also a new part of Rethymno, however, it does not have that nice feel and character. Most visitors won’t venture far outside the old town, the nexus of which is the pretty 14th-century Venetian harbourfront, but surrounding it is a decent-sized the modern university city with a year-round population of 60,000 people.
If you wish to experience a honeymoon in Crete or just fancy some romantic time away with your partner, we recommend staying in a luxury five-star hotel which offers a one of its kind gastro experience. Maleme is the perfect spot if you want to have a relaxed time, close to the beach, very quiet but still a great base to visit the nearby tourist destinations. About Crete, travelling solo is not a problem. It is not my favourite spot for swimming as it tends to be quite busy and the beach itself is very narrow, just the space for a few sunbeds from the promenade, good for a relaxing day after a long night out.
Not to be missed! A car can be used to explore the North coast meanwhile public transportation can be the answer for the south coast or even a trip to Gavdos (plan at least a night there). Make sure to add the two to your itinerary for a relaxing evening walk. we like to have good food and my wife loves the beach, not in resorts excacty like more a get to know the culture sine we come from Honduras in central america. The On the Cliff is another great option if you all want to stay together.
Agia Pelagia is a nice unpretentious town to spend 4 days, in my opinion, the best close to 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. In high season there are a couple of daily buses from Chania to Paleochora, and there’s also a ferry service that connects Paleochora with other southern beaches. Click here to book your Legacy Gastro Suite. There is a nice family vibe with plenty of grown-up kids around. I was really impressed by the service too. 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.