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Stay in Ierapetra: The Cretan Villa Hotel is a handsome restored 18th century building, or try apartments like the Big Blue Suites. I think it time for a bring visit back! 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. The area is popular with locals, which should tell you something, and as a result, the beachside cuisine in the local tavernas is to a pretty high standard. On a budget? The majority of Bahamian beaches are safely in "paradise on Earth" territory. There is the standard selection of resort hotels in the surrounding coastal areas stylish Cretan Malia Park is one of the best, with beachfront access, boho chic decor, and family-friendly facilities. The beaches here are small but this helps to keep the crowds away. There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. Rooms with floaty linen curtains have excellent sea views from their large glass windows. 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. Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. 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. Both a beautiful and quiet place to visit in Crete. On a budget? Considering you are only down the road from one of Cretes busiest towns, its pretty quiet and relaxing. Utterly relaxing. The 680-room Creta Maris Beach Resort is a beachfront all-inclusive resort a 10-minute walk from Limenas Hersonissos village. 9.8/5 (157 reviews) "The bed was so comfortable. I just want to mention dont confuse your Plakas, as there are two, one of which is inhabited and built purely for ex-pats. Its 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. Isolated, authentic, and very tranquil, Lentas isnt for Crete thrill-seekers or partygoers. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. Lasithi, the easternmost province of Crete, is home to some of its most luxurious hotels as well as its wildest and most traditional areas. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, GLOBAL GRASSHOPPER. Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel Show prices Enter dates to see prices 202 reviews Although the hippies have long since been moved on, and the caves protected and closed to the public, the town retains a laidback feel despite the explosion of tourism here. See More, This exclusive beachfront hotel in Rethymno recently underwent a full renovation. Most accommodation is in Paleokastro village which is a short drive from several excellent beaches including Kouremenos, Hiona, and Mandati. 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. For something different, highly rated Ammos Hotel in Agioi Apostoli brings a touch of Scandi cool to proceedings. Including the five star beach resorts, family friendly hotels on Crete and great value finds. The smaller of the two beaches, Small Triopetra (or Koumado), is more an enclosed, sandy, and rocky bay. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. Crete Beach Resorts: Find 55281 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Oceanfront Hotels in Crete on Tripadvisor. 1,438 reviews. Elounda is a lively harbour town thats surrounded by beautiful scenery and a sandy Blue Flag town beach. Balos Beach is one of the best beaches in Greece if you want that fine white sand aesthetic. The beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. 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. This area is perfect for beach lovers (although its worth noting that the main beach does get very windy). Theres an excellent selection of tavernas, and its a short drive to Agios Nikolaos for city delights. Elegant, with a private beach, fine dining restaurants and an award-winning spa. It is an absolute must for visitors to Crete is to complete the walk down the gorge from the Omalos plateau to Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea, at which point tourists sail to the nearby village of Sougia or Hora Sfakion, where they could spend a night or they could catch a coach back to Chania. If you have a mix of old and young children or value convenience then Stalis is a solid option. The walk can take upwards of two hours depending on ability and speed, but also inclination, make sure you take your time to soak up the beautiful views and atmosphere. listeners: [], 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. Its set back from the town but is 4* and modern, with 3 pools and spacious rooms. It attracts independent travellers and plenty of returners and is a popular base for hiking in the area. Ligaria is located on the north coast of Crete around a 30 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. 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. Another sleepy Crete village, Tsoutsouros is undeveloped and charming (just how we like it). Bozzali. What delights visitors the most about the White Mountains is the central and southern part of the Lefka Ori which, due to the high altitude, resembles a lunar landscape and offers visiting hikers a surreal experience of walking on the moon which, is wholly unique to the northern hemisphere. Large rooms offer mountain views or sea views from the large glass windows. 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. To the west of Sitia is the small coastal village of Mochlos which sports two islets with Minoan excavations. The main attraction in Stalis (or Stalida) is its 6km golden crescent of beach, and its proximity to party capital Malia (just a 30-minute walk). See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. 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. See More, Experience luxury in abundance at this peninsula hotel with contemporary, stylish decor and sea views. Show Prices. 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. Its super sedate. Meanwhile, the main beach of the area, West Triopetra or Chatzi, is characterised by beautiful coarse sand which casts unusual colours across the beach and water. No roads lead here and there are no nightclubs or nightlife. Triopetra Beach is located on the south of the island around a 2 hour drive from Heraklion airport. Despite its size, Pacific Grove has more B&Bs than any other coastal . A wonderful place to visit and stay in Crete! Hostels: Chania has two gorgeous design hostel options Cocoon City Hostel and Kumba. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport. See more photos Add to shortlist. There is a smart restaurant and bar and an outdoor pool area with a terrace. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. 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. The further out, the quieter it gets. An award winning restaurant, a superb wine list and a well-known spa on site. The small city of Sitia is a working port town with a pleasant seafront promenade, a sandy town beach, and a slow lifestyle. Blue Palace Elounda 9. It has a sand-and-pebble beach and a handful of good tavernas to choose from. Apart from organized beaches in Chania Greece, there are also plenty of deserted coves and lovely bays to enjoy total privacy. 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 modern rooms boast private balconies overlooking the bay, gardens or pool. 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. Its an easy and cheap bus ride to Knoss from Heraklion. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. See More, Impressive luxury resort, totally insulated from the outside world in semi-tropical gardens. Transfer time: 1hr 45 minutes from Chania International airport. . It is a port city that offers an urban vibe with a touch of nature. #9 Best Value of 66 Quiet Resorts in Crete. Sougia is located on the South West Coast of Crete around 3 hour and 20-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. As with the other northern cities, it has a Venetian Fortress (the Kazarma) and an Archaeological Museum. It has the same old-world charms with its colourful Venetian harbourfront, relics of Turkish rule, student population, and tangle of tiny alleys. Transfer time: 50 minutes from Chania International airport. Georgioupolis Resort Aquapark & Spa offers a unique holiday experience to those that want to enjoy the incomparable Greek Hospitality whilst seeking top quality services in a relaxing environment, excellent gastronomy as well as a . Suites and private villas have personal pools. The LATO Boutique Hotel is more modern and has harbour views. Honeymoons - This is . Most of the beach is lined with tavernas, cafes and bars, but with easy acces to the city. 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. Kalamaki is a relatively new town in Crete, it has more of a purpose-built feel to it. See More, A home-away-from-home set in a stunning rural spot with beaches, bars and tavernas a walk away. Luxury highlights: Domes Noruz in Kato Daratsa is the 5* pick beachfront location, private plunge pools and hot tubs are available. Makrigialis, on the other hand, is a small and friendly traditional beach resort. 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. This ultra-luxurious haven combines the best of villa and hotel facilities, with over half the villas having private infinity pools. Bali is roughly halfway between Rethymno and Heraklion there are bus services both but not as frequent as other resorts. 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. Head east from Sitia and you eventually reach is Paleokastro, a windswept resort with an edge-of-the-world feel and some of the best windsurfing in Europe. The coastline between these cities is the busiest and most developed part of the island. A perfect miniature island-hopping adventure. If you chose to arrive by boat, the route and views are particularly beautiful. Transfer time: 35 minutes from Heraklion airport. The beauty of Margarites does not need to be explained or even described, the minute it comes into view- it will take your breath away. 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. Minos Beach Art Hotel Agios Nikolaos, Crete 129 rooms from 336. Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. For a private beach, an award-winning spa and fine dining, try the Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. Historically all of the tourist accommodation has been outside the city in the summer resorts. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. Heading to the beautiful Greek island of Crete this year? Glika Nera Beach 190 Beaches By 849jeremyn 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. There are several beaches that you can reach by foot, and as the crowds thin out you can still find a few nudist beaches. 17. 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. BEST HOTELS RIGHT ON THE BEACH: Domes Noruz, Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort, Domes of Elounda. These vary greatly depending on the region and location: Snow white sand alternates with shell sand and fine gravel. There are numerous beaches to visit, and if they are a bit far or you want to go further afield, as a bigger resort you can find hire cars for the standard rate. 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. 5. See More, A great getaway to an idyllic blue bay in a car-free village, right on the beach. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Transfer time: 1hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. } 302 reviews. The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. "If you are looking for delicious food, spacious luxury rooms, a marvellous location directly on the beach and an excellent service, Mitsis Laguna is the answer.". 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! 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! St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotels & Villas is a large 5* complex with direct beach access. Courgette balls, broad beans, moussaka and mezedakia. Agiofaraggo beach Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized, Nudism-Friendly View on map Location: 80 km south west of Heraklion Town The most famous part of the gorge is the stretch known as the Gates where the sides of the gorge close into a width of only four meters and soar up to a height of almost 300 meters. 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! See More, A glamorous coastal property offering the upmost in luxury on Crete's picturesque coast. With steep sandy-coloured rocks dropping directly into the sea in this horseshoe-shaped bay and crystal clear water it is postcard perfect. 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. On the Venetian harbour: is the 5 star Ambassadors Residence which has rooftop hot tubs. Small ferry boats make the run over to Spinalonga from both Plaka and Elounda. Show prices. At Finikounda in south-western Peloponnese, it's a simple beach resort with honey-hued beaches, space for 80 campers, and 16 sizeable bungalows with their own bathrooms, cooking facilities. Many Chania beaches are among the best on the island, such as Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi. Here you will find the emptiest beaches on the island and you can swim well into the autumn/winter months. Discover our best beaches of Crete: Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna in Chania, Preveli in Rethymno, Vai in Lassithi, and more. But the rowdy bars are largely confined to one strip the Malia Mile, and the party doesnt start until later in the evening. } If you have a car then you might also want to consider accommodation up in Mirtios village above the bay. Monastery Estate is a beautiful new conversion with Turkish hammam. })(); 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. 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. Agia Roumeli: Lots of budget rooms all around the same price point thanks to the proliferation of walkers tryAgia Roumeli Hotel or Gigilos which are both right on the beach. There are plenty of options for self-catered too, likeVilla Niki. The older part of town (Ano Hersonissos or Palia Hersonissos) is set back from the coast and has lots of little family-run tavernas. The hotel is all-inclusive but the food was of excellent quality." Breakfast included 2022 4. Bored of sunning yourself? A small town located on a small peninsula in southwest Crete, Paleochora is ideal if you want a bit of both. 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. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next beach break? Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. As Chania is a regional capital and in close proximity to so many beach resorts, it makes a great base to explore the west of the island. There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. 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! There are many dining options from Greek to Italian and the four bars serve up wonderful cocktails. But most options are traditional apartment complexes such as Petritos Rooms or small houses like Arodamos Sea House. A stunning contemporary five star resort that will leave you wanting for nothing! There are of resort hotels in Bali strung out along the coast many are looking a bit dated but there are a few standouts. Due to the presence of cold spring water streams, the seawater can be cold, even in summer but the beach itself is stunning. Something of the original working fishing harbour feel remains, and traditional domatia and cheap cafes sit alongside bijou boutiques and expensive seafood restaurants. They get progressively smaller, more village-like and quieter the further out you get. The famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. Rooms mirror the outdoors, blue and breezy, some suites come with terraces and pools. The beach here is better than any at Hersonissos, which is 5km away. Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. The scenery as you traverse the coast road with steep hills and lush greenery gives views that will take your breath away. The beaches arent huge so they do get busy; Bali is larger than it looks and popular with the package tourism crowd and daytrippers from the wider area. 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. 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. Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. A lively beach town, the resort of Bali is set around a handful of coves in a scenic bay. Balos Beach, Crete. The outskirts of Hersonissos are home to some of Cretes swankiest 5* resort hotels. The area is also crisscrossed with donkey paths that make it fantastic for walking (its possible to walk to Plaka). It feels a little like the end of the known world, and Sfakions are known for their fierce independence and excellent cheese pies. Some suites have access to a private hot tub on the roof terrave. But it has everything you need its ideal if youre looking to enjoy one place for your holiday and dont feel the need to visit the larger towns. Malliotakis Beach Hotel and Aggelo Boutique Hotel are both close to the beach and offer stylish places to lay your head. This amazing place is like the Caribbean side of Crete. 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. S&K Villas near Amyrida has a modern white cubist design and pool. There are few roads in the area, and some of the villages are accessible only by boat. Show Prices. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. An epic choice of restaurants and bars. The City Hotel & Suites is a clean and modern hotel offering excellent value at a lower price point, as are Menta City Boutique Hotel and Omiros Boutique Hotel. There are also plenty of boat trips are available from its harbour. Captains House is in a traditional building by the waterfront a friendly welcome, fantastic sea views, and comfy beds. Its a bit of a trek from Chania airport, so if youre going, fly to Heraklion. The main village is set 1km back from the beach and is a popular area for villas and expats. Although be warned, the walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. If you like your beaches vast and often deserted then make a beeline for Frangokastello on the south coast. On a budget? Although elements of the walk can be tiring, its most definitely worth it. Its still a 30-minute drive from Sitia. Its a popular day-trip destination and the crowds somewhat marr the incredible natural landscape with its towering rock formations. 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. Crossing the south of the island is difficult. The resorts here are some of the nicest places to stay on Crete. In certain lights as well, Balos Beach has a hint of pink sand. Location 3.9. Luxurious rooms, suites and villas - most with private heated pools - boast stunning views and top notch amenities. There are lots of good value hotels in Sitia, though in general decor is a tad dated check Booking.com for prices and availability. 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. 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. Transfer time: 55 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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.
best quiet beach resorts in crete
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