The prices in Hersonissos are very competitive, partially to lure customers out of the many all-inclusive hotels in the area. Most visitors wont 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. Besides the beach, guests gather at the Olympic-sized pool and water park with a big slides for older kids and adults. Lovely beaches, ideal for a romantic break or family holiday. 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! Tourism here peaked in the 90s and as such it has a slightly careworn feel and is friendly but not busy. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. 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). Falassarna is home to one of the best beaches on Crete vast, sandy, and relatively undeveloped. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. A small town located on a small peninsula in southwest Crete, Paleochora is ideal if you want a bit of both. 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. If you want to explore the culinary, you will have a vast variety of restaurants and amazing coffee shops. Rooms mirror the outdoors, blue and breezy, some suites come with terraces and pools. Panormos a small and charming traditional Cretan fishing village located on the northern coast has a few little extra bits that make it attractive, and a winery, it also has guided tours and tasting as well making it an attractive proposition indeed. 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 best beaches and coves in Crete incl. insider tips - Corissia Best 32 Beaches in Heraklion, Greece | Greeka Access to this haven can be achieved through E4 trail but the climb can be treacherous in places as it climbs to an altitude of 700m, so its not for the fainthearted but on arrival, you will no doubt agree that this is one of the finest beaches in all the Greek islands. Its a bit of a trek from Chania airport, so if youre going, fly to Heraklion. Stay in Ierapetra: The Cretan Villa Hotel is a handsome restored 18th century building, or try apartments like the Big Blue Suites. Transfer time: Ierapetra minutes from Heraklion airport, Makrigialos 1 hr 50 minutes from Heraklion airport. Boutique and luxury: Cressa Corona Boutique Hotel is the best address in town. Its still a 30-minute drive from Sitia. Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Outside Heraklion centre is the vast and swanky kid-friendly resort Amirandes Hotel. Three fine dining restaurants, state of the art spa, private sandy beach. 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. Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. However, dont let that put you off. 5* resort Domes of Elounda is one of Cretes most exclusive hotels and has access to a private sandy beach, VIP services, and a champagne bar. Crete has some of Greece's best sandy beaches - many far from developed areas, so you can truly enjoy a remote holiday on the sand. Oceanview Designer Beach House (4 guests): $300/night. But its also possible to use Plakias as a base for walking and hiking. 7 Of The Best Resorts In Crete | TravelSupermarket The famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. However, Balos Beach caught our eye for its clean waters and beautiful offshore reefs. There are few roads in the area, and some of the villages are accessible only by boat. The beach is a mix of shingle and sand, and the water is crystal clear and calm. Captains House is in a traditional building by the waterfront a friendly welcome, fantastic sea views, and comfy beds. A spoiling beach treat! A spoiling stay. With the exception of Paleochora, that is. Youre most likely to end up here if youre catching a ferry to Kythira or to Gythio on the mainland, or if youre using it as a base to explore the nearby beaches at Balos and Falassarna. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. A luxurious hideaway near Rethymnon. 5km south of Plaka is the small beach town of Elounda, one of Cretes most characterful resorts and home to some of its premier luxury hotels. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. 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. GEORGIOUPOLIS RESORT AQUAPARK AND SPA - Prices & Hotel Reviews (Greece) Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection 6. 15 Best Resorts in Crete | U.S. News Travel 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. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport. Makrigialis, on the other hand, is a small and friendly traditional beach resort. Check out cheery Sunday Life. Accommodation is spacious and secluded, the best options have heated seawater pools, but all are utterly indulgent. #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. The nearest rooms are a few miles away try the sereneGlykeria Hoteland Elafonisi Resort. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. ". Its vulnerable to high winds but on the other hand, this makes it ideal for surfers. ; EAST: The beaches past Elia are beyond the reach of the bus and water taxi network so things calm down considerably. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. 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. There are so many luxury hotels in Elounda that its impossible to list them all. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. Try the spotless Marina Hotel, or the beautiful white and blue decor and sea views atElektra. The main tourist street is Odos Halidon, which divides the old and new city. On the Venetian harbour: is the 5 star Ambassadors Residence which has rooftop hot tubs. Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa. Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. But the main attraction that brings tourists to Heraklion is the nearby ancient Minoan site of Knossos the biggest and most well-known on the island. 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. Some of the beach resorts along Rethymnon beach include: The area around Platanes is popular and sandy. Elounda is a lively harbour town thats surrounded by beautiful scenery and a sandy Blue Flag town beach. The lazy river was a particular highlight. 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. Theres plenty to keep older children entertained, including watersports and boat trips. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. The smaller of the two beaches, Small Triopetra (or Koumado), is more an enclosed, sandy, and rocky bay. The 5-star hotels on the harbourfront are Scala de Faroand Domus Renier. Similar rooms are available at Elysium Boutique Hotel & Spa. The one thing I would highly recommend is getting sea shoes as there are sea urchins on the rocks!! Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. There are seven restaurants to choose from, a kids' club, and a wide range of activities - a real crowd pleaser. 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. A few Venetian buildings remain but most of the city is a modern concrete jungle that always seems to be dusty and full of building works that were halted during the crisis. The other top choice in Rethymnon is Rimondi Estate whose courtyard swimming pool is becoming an Instagram star in its own right. Perhaps, Domatas unspoiled beauty has been preserved this long because the region has no roads or infrastructures. Cool or what? Luxurious rooms, suites and villas - most with private heated pools - boast stunning views and top notch amenities. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. Paleochora is the main resort town on the south-west coast. Transfer time: 25 minutes to the main harbour from Chania International airport. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. The southeast coast is one of the least touristed parts of the island. Most of the accommodation in this area is in traditional rooms and studios. Kids go free to the Minoan Amusement Park. Crete's Best Beach Hotels | The Hotel Guru Where to Stay on Crete: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. Yes: Sougia is the best quiet beach in Crete, without a doubt. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Heraklion International airport. #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. Glyka Nera is located on the south coast of Crete a 2 hour 30 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. 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)! Plaka has a lovely beach, especially lovely if you dont like sand getting everywhere, as its made from pebbles. Also along the main harbour, youll find the stylish Elia Zampeliou Boutique Hotel and the funky Alcanea Boutique Hotel. A small village consisting simply of a few hotels and tavernas, shops and restaurants, and a church, but what Loutro lacks in modernity it makes up for in nostalgia and panorama. 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. 9. ); These hikes can be strenuous and at some moments, hair-raising but they are well maintained. 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. Transfer time: 1 hr 40 minutes from both Chania and Heraklion airports. #14 of 51 hotels in Georgioupolis. Best Quiet Resort - Crete Message Board - Tripadvisor Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. Best 41 Beaches in Chania, Greece | Greeka Whether you are planning a getaway with the family, a couples' escape or a luxury break there is something to suit most tastes and budgets here. 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. All rooms boast sea views and Egyptian cotton sheets; the best have a private terrace hot tub and marble bathroom. Something of the original working fishing harbour feel remains, and traditional domatia and cheap cafes sit alongside bijou boutiques and expensive seafood restaurants. I think it time for a bring visit back! Plenty of suites and private villas have pools. And oh the food! This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. 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. Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete. Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. Honeymoons - A haven of tranquility with private villas with mountian and sea views, spoiling massages and haute cuisine overlooking the bay. Sumptuous suites and villas have cool contemporary interiors and fabulous sea views, and many with their own private pool. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. Margarites is located in the very centre of the island of Crete, its an unspoiled village surrounded by the vibrant green hills of the Rethymnon region and is as well known for its picturesque panorama as it is for its extensive pottery trade. The best of the rest are: Creta Blue Boutique Hotel & Suites, Villa Ippocampi,Casa Bianca Boutique Hotel,Abaton Island Resort & Spa, Cooks Club. Set on an unspoiled beach, the resort offers bespoke suites and private bungalows with custom-made furniture and natural accents inspired by the landscape. 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. Apart from organized beaches in Chania Greece, there are also plenty of deserted coves and lovely bays to enjoy total privacy. 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. Smart rooms and suites have modern furnishings, all the modern gadgetry, balconies, and some have private pools. $148. Most hotels and rooms in Matala are simple and value. 9.8/5 (157 reviews) "The bed was so comfortable. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas 8. Atlantica Kalliston Resort. Heraklion is located on the north coast of Crete and is home to the main airport of the island. Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. 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! Well, you dont need to imagine, as youve just thought of Sissi in beautiful Crete! A lively beach town, the resort of Bali is set around a handful of coves in a scenic bay. 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 resorts here are some of the nicest places to stay on Crete. There are numerous beaches dotted about, and if you are staying for more than a few days it can be good fun to try a different one each day. Heraklion itself is not quite an attractive destination in the same way that Chania and Rethymnon are much of its historic architecture was damaged during heavy bombing in WWII. Drive 10 minutes south from Agios Nikolaos for the stunning 5* resort Daios Cove, which has its own beach and private seawater plunge pools. The hotel is all-inclusive but the food was of excellent quality." Breakfast included 2022 4. 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. The resort offers 75 airy and well appointed rooms and suites fully equipped with satellite TV and minibar. 26. Despite its size, Pacific Grove has more B&Bs than any other coastal . Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. Naxos has the best beaches (but little nightlife). Few make it out this far, despite its calling card the impressive (but empty) Venetian castle on its shore. The KTEL bus station is in the new town, a 10-minute walk from the main harbour see PDF timetables. Several of the Elounda luxury resorts are actually in Plaka. 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 . Theres a wide selection of accommodation, easy transport links, a short airport transfer, and child-friendly shallow waters. on: function(evt, cb) { THE 10 BEST Quiet Hotels in Crete 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor The Greek islands with the best beaches are Crete, Naxos, Paros, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, and Rhodes. It gets very popular and usually attracts people who go there for clubbing. It lacks the sweeping white sand of some of our other suggestions, but it also lacks the footfall, making it ideal for a day trip. Transfer time: 30 minutes from Heraklion airport. If youve braved the paddle (or walked over the sandbar leading to the island) youll be rewarded with water that is the temperature of bathwater, soft pink sand (particular to this area only), and pictures that youll treasurePrizes awarded for spotting a sea turtleand deducted for duckface Instagram postsenjoy! Show Prices. THE 10 BEST Quiet Resorts in Crete - Mar 2023 (with Prices window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Due to the presence of cold spring water streams, the seawater can be cold, even in summer but the beach itself is stunning. The Top 3 Best Crete Family Resorts | Oyster.com