); Suites, bungalows, and villas are light and airy with large swathes of glass and a modern take on Cretian design. Most of these are connected to town by regular bus. 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. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. 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. The wonderful White Mountains are located in Western Crete, and their gleaming shine is the dominant feature of the region. A classy, modern hotel. There are no luxury hotels in the area, but an excellent selection of traditional family-run hotels and pensions, many with sea views. Abaton Island Resort & Spa 10. 15 Best Luxury Crete Resorts on the Beach - overseas attractions A typical routine is to eat dinner in the old village and then head down towards the waterfront for evening drinks. 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. The beach is large and there are a range of tavernas and shops offering food at a very reasonable price. Except for the blockbuster beaches that attract day trips, its not ideal for beach tourism. The 12 Best Crete Beach Hotels (Greece) | Oyster.com forms: { But the rowdy bars are largely confined to one strip the Malia Mile, and the party doesnt start until later in the evening. On a budget? 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. Value 4.1. On a budget? Apart from organized beaches in Chania Greece, there are also plenty of deserted coves and lovely bays to enjoy total privacy. 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. Small ferry boats make the run over to Spinalonga from both Plaka and Elounda. Other options include Hotel Loutro Bay,SifisandDaskalogiannis Hotel. Clearly, the island has so much more to offer aside from the famous mythology and legends, there are also sites of architectural, historical, and natural importance, that will leave any visitor completely enthralled! Some of the beach resorts along Rethymnon beach include: The area around Platanes is popular and sandy. 15 Best Resorts in Crete | U.S. News Travel Tourism here peaked in the 90s and as such it has a slightly careworn feel and is friendly but not busy. Excellent Mediterranean dishes are served up in the restaurants. Kato Zakros is located on the east coast of the island around a 3 hour journey from Heraklion airport. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. It is flanked by steep, mountainsides, home to a sizable herd of goats (judging from the clinking of bells) as well as a tepid sea, sheltered by a lush bay. Its a relaxed south coast village, about 30km from Agia Galini, and has a wide, sandy Blue Flag beach and a spacious feel. A spoiling beach treat! " The hotel is very relaxing and although it is a bit quiet a night it really is the perfect mix of 5 star luxury during the day with the authenticity of amazing local Greek Tavernas like Zachos . So why not browse through our collection to start planning your next beach break? 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. It feels a little like the end of the known world, and Sfakions are known for their fierce independence and excellent cheese pies. The city of Rethymnon (you might also see it spelt Rethymno or Rethimno) is like a smaller, more chilled version of Chania. The resorts here are some of the nicest places to stay on Crete. 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. Therefore it can be easier to decide on arrival airport/port first, or any attractions that you particularly want to visit, in order to narrow down where to stay. However, dont let that put you off. Including the five star beach resorts, family friendly hotels on Crete and great value finds. 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. The Royal Blue Resort. The best of the rest are: Creta Blue Boutique Hotel & Suites, Villa Ippocampi,Casa Bianca Boutique Hotel,Abaton Island Resort & Spa, Cooks Club. One of the main things to do in Heraklion is to catch a ferry to visit Santorini, Mykonos and other places. 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. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport. 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". If you are staying one or more nights, you dont need to worry about thumping music or all-night parties. Check TUI for packages including hotels and flights. 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. Stay in Ierapetra: The Cretan Villa Hotel is a handsome restored 18th century building, or try apartments like the Big Blue Suites. Although be warned, the walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. Its perfect for mature couples who dont need excursions and are happy to rent a car to explore the south coast. Although, shell always have a special place in her heart for the city where she makes her annual pilgrimages Paris, her true city of lights. 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. See More, A glamorous coastal property offering the upmost in luxury on Crete's picturesque coast. 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. The only parking is on the street which is very limited. Crete is a large island the fifth largest in the Mediterranean and you can find whatever youre looking for in each region. It is home to a substantial palm date forest, which is accessible by foot or by car. I just want to mention dont confuse your Plakas, as there are two, one of which is inhabited and built purely for ex-pats. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. It has a sand-and-pebble beach and a handful of good tavernas to choose from. Ligaria is located on the north coast of Crete around a 30 minute drive from Heraklion Airport. That said, there are bus links to Rethymno and Heraklion so car hire is not necessary. Bali is roughly halfway between Rethymno and Heraklion there are bus services both but not as frequent as other resorts. There is also a domestic airport in Sitia with flights from Athens. You can always visit the amazing chapel of Prophet Elias. East of Sitia the crowds really thin out most tourists dont make it beyond this point. With steep sandy-coloured rocks dropping directly into the sea in this horseshoe-shaped bay and crystal clear water it is postcard perfect. The surrounding hillsides are home to a swathe of lovely resort hotels and a few minor beaches. Myrtos village is located on the south coast of Crete an 1 hour 20 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. There are many dining options from Greek to Italian and the four bars serve up wonderful cocktails. . There are 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. On the Venetian harbour: is the 5 star Ambassadors Residence which has rooftop hot tubs. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort has a Six Senses Spa, direct beach access, and a private 9-hole golf course. 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). Z Boutique Hotel has comfortable rooms and a small pool. 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. Ferries leave Sitia once a week for Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kassos. 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. The majority of Bahamian beaches are safely in "paradise on Earth" territory. Inland Heraklion region is home to farmland and vineyards, whereas the coastline spreading east from Heraklion is also the most developed on Crete, and home to its most famous (and infamous resorts). Agios Nikolaos is located on the east side of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Its a purpose-built resort and essentially a quieter outpost of Malia though, with lots of the same English breakfast cafes and Irish bars. Mythos Suites is another town highlight with a pool. 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. If you want to be closer to the beaches, Nostos Beach Boutique Hotel is freshly renovated and has a pool, beach bar and day beds. And Plakias now has a youth hostel! There are a number of hotels right on the beach such as the modern and comfortable Sofia Hotel. The resorts spread out in either direction along the coast. Glyka Nera is located on the south coast of Crete a 2 hour 30 minutes drive from Heraklion Airport. Drive 10 minutes south from Agios Nikolaos for the stunning 5* resort Daios Cove, which has its own beach and private seawater plunge pools. These hikes can be strenuous and at some moments, hair-raising but they are well maintained. It is a port city that offers an urban vibe with a touch of nature. Very good. Swanky Aspalathos Falassarna Villas has an infinity pool, hot tub and sauna. Euphoria Resort 7. The city has an airport which makes this place a number one spot to start exploring the area. Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs } But it would be a shame to miss out on the excellent tavernas in Panormo. Show prices. It is hardly surprising then that there are a world-class selection of beach hotels to choose from. Interiors are chic, contemporary and comfortable. Its a year-round Greek town that attracts tourists and expats, rather than a purpose-built tourist town. The LATO Boutique Hotel is more modern and has harbour views. Take your pick from three gourmet restaurants and bars, including a poolside bar. Pick of the pack is the uber-chic Serenissima Boutique Hotel its located one block back from the main harbour in a 15th-century Venetian mansion. THE 10 BEST Crete Luxury Resorts 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor GBP $ USD EUR $ AUD $ CAD. Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. Bozzali. Located to the eastern side of the island of Crete, Kato Zakros is a bit out of the way, but well worth the visit. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport, 1 hr 10 minutes from Heraklion International Airport book a transfer. The beaches here are small but this helps to keep the crowds away. You may have to head to the south coast when the wind is blowing. Oceanfront Home With Views (7 guests): $325/night. You cant miss it, its called Youth Hostel Plakias. The main cities and towns on the north coast are linked by regular buses each regional capital has buses going to the south of its region. Its known for its calm waters, and for being a nesting site for endangered loggerhead sea turtles. The main airports in Crete are Chania International and Heraklion International, both well served by budget airlines. If commercial isnt your thing then there are numerous guesthouses in the area, all offering their own unique brand of hospitality, many with floral and fragrant herb gardens. The KTEL bus station is in the new town, a 10-minute walk from the main harbour see PDF timetables. GEORGIOUPOLIS RESORT AQUAPARK AND SPA - Prices & Hotel Reviews (Greece) The Best Luxury Hotels on Crete, Greece | The Hotel Guru Transfer time: 25 minutes to the main harbour from Chania International airport. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection Show prices Enter dates to see prices Best 32 Beaches in Heraklion, Greece | Greeka 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. (178 reviews) "Very difficult to find in the Dark, as the entrance is down a dark alley, and the sins aren't lit up. 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. Karavostasi Beach 432 Beaches By selsfield2003 Worth the walk ( or the ride on the mini train) Great beach - lovely clear water and 2 amazing tavernas. Bored of sunning yourself? Brilliant choice of restaurants, easy to book each morning Popi the waitress in the main Cosmos restaurant was so att." 23 Best Beaches In Greece to Visit in 2023 - The Planet D Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. Astoria Hotel is a small family-run hotel with sea views and coastal decor. The south is wild and remote with a spectacularly rocky coast and a few standout beach resorts. Crete Beach Resorts: Find 55281 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Oceanfront Hotels in Crete on Tripadvisor.