best quiet beach resorts in crete

Crete is a large island the fifth largest in the Mediterranean and you can find whatever youre looking for in each region. Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. Its a perfect romantic destination for couples. St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotels & Villas is a large 5* complex with direct beach access. (178 reviews) "Very difficult to find in the Dark, as the entrance is down a dark alley, and the sins aren't lit up. "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.". Some of the most beautiful and unique beaches are in the area nearby Damnoni is sandy with shallow clear waters, perfect for kids. This is a natural beauty spot which is an absolute pearl, but youve got to time it right. Wonderful! Transfer time: 35 minutes 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. 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 . #3 in Best Resorts in Crete Tripadvisor (921) 1 critic awards 5.0-star Hotel Class Free WiFi Overview Reviews Deals Rooms Kalimera Kriti Hotel Village Resort is a 5 star hotel located. A typical routine is to eat dinner in the old village and then head down towards the waterfront for evening drinks. Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. Location 3.9. Balos Beach, Crete. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Suites have private pools. 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. Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. Up until fairly recently, Elafonisi was one of Cretes best-kept secrets, sadly social media selfie-lovers got a firm grasp of it, so it can get seriously busy in the high seasons. The older part of town (Ano Hersonissos or Palia Hersonissos) is set back from the coast and has lots of little family-run tavernas. Elounda is located in east Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. Makrigialis, on the other hand, is a small and friendly traditional beach resort. Its not perhaps as quaint as some of the other places on this list but what it lacks in tradition it more than makes up for in swankiness and still manages to retain an air of what makes Crete so great. The one thing I would highly recommend is getting sea shoes as there are sea urchins on the rocks!! In the small grid of streets behind the main beach, you will find souvenir shops, mini-markets, and small hotels/rooms to let. 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. 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. Enter dates to see prices. 302 reviews. Not overly touristy (though all the amenities are present), it has a working town feel albeit one with an Ottoman mosque, Venetian Fortress, and Blue Flag Beach. Best Places in Crete to Stay for First-Timers and Sightseeing: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. } #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. See More, A stunning resort on Mirabello Bay with its own private beach and dreamy views. Kalamaki is located on the south coast of the island around an hours drive from Heraklion airport. If you want to explore the culinary, you will have a vast variety of restaurants and amazing coffee shops. T Hotel Premium Suites is the most comfortable place in town. on: function(evt, cb) { Another sleepy Crete village, Tsoutsouros is undeveloped and charming (just how we like it). A luxury beach holiday. 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. 9. To the west of Sitia is the small coastal village of Mochlos which sports two islets with Minoan excavations. The surrounding hillsides are home to a swathe of lovely resort hotels and a few minor beaches. Agiofaraggo beach Pebbled, Secluded, Non-Organized, Nudism-Friendly View on map Location: 80 km south west of Heraklion Town } 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. Beach Life - The property has a private beach area (complete with an open-air cineam in the evenings) - ideal for a quiet beach getaway. 4.4/5 Wonderful! A good selection of bars and restaurants. Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection 6. See More, Impressive luxury resort, totally insulated from the outside world in semi-tropical gardens. The Top 3 Best Crete Family Resorts | Oyster.com The lush Villa Octo is up in the hills behind the city and sleeps 6 in luxury. On a budget? Some suites have access to a private hot tub on the roof terrave. Chania (pronounced Hania and sometimes spelt Xania), with its old Venetian streets, is the gem of Crete and its nicest city. Coastal perfection. Enjoyed this post? Its not particularly health and safety friendly, but if you are brave enough youll be rewarded with a view of a hidden church built within the caves. 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. Crete Beach Resorts: Find 55281 traveller reviews, candid photos, and the top ranked Oceanfront Hotels in Crete on Tripadvisor. Oceanview Designer Beach House (4 guests): $300/night. You can find private plunge pools at Miramare Resort & Spa. (function() { The famous Preveli Palm Beach with its exotic date palm forest at the end of Kourtaliotiko Gorge is 5km away. Visitors here can simply detox from life and tackle long-awaited books, take walks along the stunning scenery or simply eat, drink and be merry. Besides the beach, guests gather at the Olympic-sized pool and water park with a big slides for older kids and adults. Check out cheery Sunday Life. The modern rooms boast private balconies overlooking the bay, gardens or pool. Check Paleochora rooms and prices on Booking.com. The harbourfront is lined with restaurants and smart boutiques, and the narrow alleys filled with souvenir shops, and the colourful tables and twinkly lights of tavernas vying for your trade. 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! If you like your beaches vast and often deserted then make a beeline for Frangokastello on the south coast. Dorm rooms are available for the budget traveller at Rethymno Youth Hostel. Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort has a Six Senses Spa, direct beach access, and a private 9-hole golf course. 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. 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. Mount Ida is the tallest peak of the range, named after the daughter of the King of Crete according to Greek mythology. But there are many places offering rooms and studios at a great price. 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. It is slightly commercialised, but that said if you like the occasional deep-fried or sugary treat delivered to your lounger whilst you catch the sun, its not too bad at all! 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. My must-do highlights of Falassarna Experience a paragliding ride overlooking the coast to admire the island from a different perspective. The remote area of Sfakia on the southern coast is one of the most beautiful parts of Crete but you have to be prepared for an adventure to get there. Three fine dining restaurants, state of the art spa, private sandy beach. Plaka is located on the coast on the east of Crete around an hours drive from Heraklion Airport. Or the clean and modern Central City Hotel and Aeolios Design Hotel. 1. Bali is roughly halfway between Rethymno and Heraklion there are bus services both but not as frequent as other resorts. Boasting four stars, rooms are dressed in a traditional style; premium linens complement exposed stone walls and the best suites have terraces with sea views. 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. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Its a windswept and low-key kind of place, with remnants of a hippie vibe. Sissi is a small resort thats on the coast between Malia and Plaka, known for its pretty harbour and seafood tavernas. Top 26 Unspoilt Places to Visit in Crete for Travel Snobs Its a popular day-trip destination and the crowds somewhat marr the incredible natural landscape with its towering rock formations. Many Chania beaches are among the best on the island, such as Balos, Falassarna, and Elafonissi. It attracts a younger crowd than Agia Galini, more families and independent travellers. It can be as quiet or as rowdy as you like. 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. Swanky Aspalathos Falassarna Villas has an infinity pool, hot tub and sauna. 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! Well, you dont need to imagine, as youve just thought of Sissi in beautiful Crete! Kids go free to the Minoan Amusement Park. 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. Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. Each of these areas offers exceptional hotels, fantastic dining, and a wide range of nearby . Top hotel pick is Palazzo Greco, a small hotel with a boutique feel the terrace pool and balconies have impressive sea views. Chora Sfakion: A few upmarket options here such as the No Problem Luxury Suite (it has a bathtub), and the excellent value Livikon Hotel and Samaria Hotel which both have fresh white and blue decor and seaview balconies. The long-distance hiking route passes through the area, and there are several smaller gorges and empty beaches such as Sweetwater to discover. Mykonos is relatively small and you can easily drive around in a day. The most well-known landmark is the blush pink Yiali Tzami mosque on the waterfront, with the main (outer) harbour on one side and the Venetian (inner) harbour and arsenal on the other. 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 beach is sandy and the sea is calm, though the south coast does get fierce winds at times. Set in landscaped tropical gardens, it has 7 pools, a spa, and access to a rocky private beach. Transfer time: 20 minutes from Heraklion International airport. For all intents and purposes its a real treasure. Paleochora is located on a small peninsula with beaches on either side perfect for windsurfing as one of them will always be catching the wind. 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. Angela Suites Boutique Hotel is all whites and blues and has a pool. Kalamaki is a relatively new town in Crete, it has more of a purpose-built feel to it. The only parking is on the street which is very limited. Transfer time: 1 hr 5 minutes from Heraklion International airport. { per night. 2,101 reviews. Self-catering and BBQ are available for all. Aside from the peacefulness of the region, it is hard not to be astounded by the artwork the elements left behind- a series of terraces in the rock face which, will undoubtedly leave you awestruck. Tourism here peaked in the 90s and as such it has a slightly careworn feel and is friendly but not busy. The beaches in the Rethymno province are some of the best not as dramatic as the west coast, but long and sandy and perfect for long, lazy beach days. There are a few large all-inclusive hotels in Panormo Iberostar Creta Marine and Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare being two of the larger ones. After a day at the (pebble) beach, you can step out in your Sunday best and pace up and down the walkway paralleling the seafront whilst wondering if you have time to look at the menu before you are accosted by the occupants (Im joking, they are lovely and generally friendly more than pushy). Sissi is located on the north coast of Crete a 40-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport. . Mid-range boutique: Casa Cook is a beach resort reimagined for the Instagram generation, with boho-chic minimalism up on the hills behind the beach in Kato Daratsa. 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). 7 Of The Best Resorts In Crete | TravelSupermarket window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Where to Stay on Mykonos: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide Chanias maze of old town streets have been prettied up for the tourists, but they still retain a charming atmosphere especially if you can catch them in spring before the masses arrive. Best beaches in Crete - Lonely Planet See More, Low-rise garden resort with immaculate seaside grounds. of the rooms, the quality of the beach. 20 BEST Crete Beaches To Visit - The World Pursuit THE 10 BEST Crete Luxury Resorts 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor On a budget? The town isnt strictly a beach resort, so theres plenty to see and do besides basking. THE 10 BEST Crete Beach Resorts 2023 (with Prices) - Tripadvisor See More, A glamorous coastal property offering the upmost in luxury on Crete's picturesque coast. Transfer time: 15 minutes from Heraklion International airport. 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. A spoiling beach treat! Highly discreet, with striking designs, each hotel is different. Blue Palace Luxury Collection has views across to Spinalonga, an extensive spa, and direct access to a pebble beach. Theres a regular bus to Heraklion, and its possible to reach Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos for day trips too. 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. Be aware that roads and bus routes in the south are sparse, its easier to plan an itinerary that takes in one region or travels along the north coast. The south is wild and remote with a spectacularly rocky coast and a few standout beach resorts. For a mix of the two - great beaches and some nightlife - Paros is perfect. Its super sedate. 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. On the beautiful beach of Kolymbari, 20 km from the city of Chania, lies Grand Bay Beach Resort. See More, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies this luxury Cretan resort in Malia. 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. 3,851 reviews. Offering plenty of five-star luxury, Elounda is stuffed with beautiful resorts and classy hotels. Its still a 30-minute drive from Sitia. See More, A great getaway to an idyllic blue bay in a car-free village, right on the beach. One of the main things to do in Heraklion is to catch a ferry to visit Santorini, Mykonos and other places. If finding tucked-away coves and exploring craggy rocks appeals to you then Milatos a small quaint Crete village may be the place for you. And oh the food! Packages to Stalis are available through TUI. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 bars/lounges. THE 10 BEST Quiet Resorts in Crete 2023 (Prices) - Tripadvisor Plaka is also the gateway to the Spinalonga, the small fortress island that famously housed a leper colony and is now one of the main day trips in the area. 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. With that and the relative peace and quiet, its an ideal spot to just be on this wonderful island. Shark Creek Beach, Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands, The Bahamas. Utterly relaxing. })(); 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. Check out Aspri Petra Apartments or Asterias Village. 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). Very good. It feels a little like the end of the known world, and Sfakions are known for their fierce independence and excellent cheese pies. An epic choice of restaurants and bars. Where to Stay on Crete: Ultimate Beach Resort Guide Sougia is located on the South West coast of the island around a 3 hour 20 minute drive from Heraklion airport. However, Balos Beach caught our eye for its clean waters and beautiful offshore reefs. Elegant, with a private beach, fine dining restaurants and an award-winning spa. . If it gets a bit too quiet for you, Diskos is only around the corner, where tented villagers of camping earthy types take up half the beach, and you can buy handmade trinkets from pop-up hippy shops. Crete Quiet Resorts & Hotels : Book a Hotel Room at one of many Quiet See More, A modern North Western Crete resort and spa, surrounded by acres of lush landscaped gardens. It has the same old-world charms with its colourful Venetian harbourfront, relics of Turkish rule, student population, and tangle of tiny alleys. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Description: Malia is the most popular beach resort of Heraklion and the most famous nightlife spot in Crete. And theres an ancient Minoan site that youre likely to have to yourself. Set in landscaped gardens, the freshly reinvented Radisson Blu Beach Resort has seven pools, direct beach acces, and is popular with families. Suites, bungalows, and villas are light and airy with large swathes of glass and a modern take on Cretian design. Transfer time: Ierapetra minutes from Heraklion airport, Makrigialos 1 hr 50 minutes from Heraklion airport. On the Venetian harbour: is the 5 star Ambassadors Residence which has rooftop hot tubs. Even the briefest of strolls through the village will showcase many of the wonderful pottery studios. A small collection of traditional stone cottages make the perfect base for families. It gets very popular and usually attracts people who go there for clubbing. Transfer time: 1hr 45 minutes from Chania International airport. Brilliant choice of restaurants, easy to book each morning Popi the waitress in the main Cosmos restaurant was so att." It is famous for its never-ending stretch of sand, fabulous sunsets and peaceful atmosphere. These hikes can be strenuous and at some moments, hair-raising but they are well maintained. It is hardly surprising then that there are a world-class selection of beach hotels to choose from. Transfer time: 2hrs from Heraklion International airport, 10 minutes from Sitia Public Airport. See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. Return to simpler times at this beautiful hideaway on Crete. Candia Suites are close to the harbour with clean modern interiors and bicycle rental available. Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Chania. Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. The vibe is family-friendly thanks to its sheltered bay which is lined with a number of traditional tavernas. There is an increasing number of upmarket resorts in Sissi. The beach is a mix of shingle and sand, and the water is crystal clear and calm. The 12 Best Crete Beach Hotels (Greece) | Oyster.com Suites and private villas have personal pools. The majority of Bahamian beaches are safely in "paradise on Earth" territory. Nana Princess Suites Villas & Spa 2. Lyttos Mare 5. Enjoy the many dining options, good spa and lots of activities - tennis, water sports and nearby nightlife. Agios Nikolaos has four sandy beaches though theyre all a little way out of the city Kitroplateira is the most central, Almiros is the nicest. A lively beach town, the resort of Bali is set around a handful of coves in a scenic bay. See More, Experience luxury in abundance at this peninsula hotel with contemporary, stylish decor and sea views. That said, there are bus links to Rethymno and Heraklion so car hire is not necessary.