best quiet beach resorts in crete best quiet beach resorts in 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. Even the briefest of strolls through the village will showcase many of the wonderful pottery studios. 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. Despite the small size of Falassarna, its a popular spot and has a reputation for being one of the best beaches in Crete. Also along the main harbour, youll find the stylish Elia Zampeliou Boutique Hotel and the funky Alcanea Boutique Hotel. There is no shortage of boutique in the winding Venetian streets of the old town. There are still many quieter, less commercialized resorts, villages, and secluded coves to explore and more hidden locations that are barely touched by tourism. It has a sand-and-pebble beach and a handful of good tavernas to choose from. Although be warned, the walk takes five to seven hours and can be strenuous, especially at the peak of summer. See More, A vast contemporary beach resort with all the trimmings, lush grounds, four pools and private beach area. See More, This five-star eco hotel overlooks the famous Mirabello Bay in Elounda, Crete. 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). Anissaras, Hersonissos, Crete. The area is also crisscrossed with donkey paths that make it fantastic for walking (its possible to walk to Plaka). On a budget? 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. Honeymoons - A haven of tranquility with private villas with mountian and sea views, spoiling massages and haute cuisine overlooking the bay. 3,851 reviews. Located in the south-eastern corner of the island is this tranquil, pristine, white-washed village full of traditional charm. 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. Start the day with farm-to-table breakfast before a bike ride. Sumptuous suites and villas have cool contemporary interiors and fabulous sea views, and many with their own private pool. The main airports in Crete are Chania International and Heraklion International, both well served by budget airlines. 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. There are two routes to the beach by boat or for the most extreme, there is a path from Chora Sfakion and another from Loutro. There are a few tavernas and perhaps the occasional cafe bordering the shallow rocky beach. However, Balos Beach caught our eye for its clean waters and beautiful offshore reefs. " Clean, spacious rooms, quiet sandy beach with amazing panorama, pools of different sizes and located in different areas of the resort, great waterpark with many . 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. From spending many breaks on this beautiful island, here is my choice for the quietest and most authentic and unspoiled places to visit in Crete which are perfect for travel snobs. Kissamos is a working port town on the northwestern edge of Crete. Mar 20 - Mar 21. Here are the best luxury Crete resorts on the beach. Crete is filled with fine beaches, ancient treasures, dreamy villages, wonderful cuisine, and hospitable locals who hold their traditional culture in high regard. Balos Beach, Crete. Those in search of the original 60s free-spirited vibe will be disappointed (though try nearby Red Beach), but Matala is a fun seaside town and is a good choice for younger couples looking for somewhere lively and photogenic. If you are looking for a bit of space then Plakias offers one of the largest beaches in Crete. 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. Boutique and luxury: Cressa Corona Boutique Hotel is the best address in town. So many people make a beeline for Rethymno that its surrounding villages are something of a hidden gem. Sissi is located on the north coast of Crete a 40-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. The outskirts of Hersonissos are home to some of Cretes swankiest 5* resort hotels. } Historically all of the tourist accommodation has been outside the city in the summer resorts. Balos beach Chania Balos is a fantastic location on the northwestern side of Crete, in the region of Chania. Parts of it are organised in the summer months though, and it does attract daytrippers. Much of the south-west coast is rocky and inaccessible, with steep cliffs that drop dramatically into the sea and small beaches that form at the end of gorges. But most options are traditional apartment complexes such as Petritos Rooms or small houses like Arodamos Sea House. But almost every island has at least a few great swimming beaches. GBP $ USD EUR $ AUD $ CAD. The surrounding hillsides are home to a swathe of lovely resort hotels and a few minor beaches. Here you will find the emptiest beaches on the island and you can swim well into the autumn/winter months. 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. See More, A holistic approach to wellbeing underlies this luxury Cretan resort in Malia. Show Prices. Set on an unspoiled beach, the resort offers bespoke suites and private bungalows with custom-made furniture and natural accents inspired by the landscape. You may have to head to the south coast when the wind is blowing. As about as non-commercial as it gets, Sissi is everything you want from a pretty Mediterranean fishing village. The village itself is loaded with a rich history, including a museum which houses finds of Minoan archaeological importance found nearby and you can hear tales about the towns colourful past and folklore in the many local tavernas. With the exception of Paleochora, that is. The one we are talking about is ideal if youve decided to stay in or near Agios, as its just around the bay. forms: { Transfer time: 25 minutes from Heraklion International airport. South coast Agia Galini is a small harbour town that was once the biggest resort town in the Rethymno region. It is a port city that offers an urban vibe with a touch of nature. Elegant, with a private beach, fine dining restaurants and an award-winning spa. Check the rooms and prices on Booking.com. ; EAST: The beaches past Elia are beyond the reach of the bus and water taxi network so things calm down considerably. 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 have a mix of old and young children or value convenience then Stalis is a solid option. Koutouloufari is awash with luxury adults-only complexes. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. There are churches tucked away in winding streets, and for those of you who want to enjoy a waterside view without the sand, the town is built around a beautiful lake (Lake Voulismeni), where you can take in the views, whilst also dining in style in one of a multitude of lakeside restaurants. Beach bums are better off at Plakias (see below). 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). Sifaka & Gavaladon 5, Old Town, Chania, Crete Island, 73101. There are some bars, but they are more likely to be full of civilised locals than your standard 18-30 gangs. Description: Malia is the most popular beach resort of Heraklion and the most famous nightlife spot in Crete. Go in the shoulder months and youll be rewarded with a day trip to remember. Explore the surrounding islands or simply lie back and relax. 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. There are some quieter beaches in the area if youre up for a bit of scrambling, and things calm down in the evening once the coaches have packed up for the day. Its friendly and authentic if you want to get away from mass tourism then this easternmost part of Crete is a good bet. Grecotel Meli Palace and Kalimera Kriti Resort both have direct beach access. The main village is set 1km back from the beach and is a popular area for villas and expats. 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. You wont find parties and bars here, oh no. Stay in Makrigialos: White Pearl Apartments are right on the beach. The one thing I would highly recommend is getting sea shoes as there are sea urchins on the rocks!! 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. See More, Domes Noruz Chania boasts a spectacular location on the coast of Crete. Blue Palace Luxury Collection has views across to Spinalonga, an extensive spa, and direct access to a pebble beach. #1 Best Value of 80 Beach Resorts in Crete . 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. Panormos is located on the North Coast of the island around a 50-minute drive from Heraklion Airport. But at the end of the day, Mexico will always be known as a beach destination - and for good reason. #1 Best Value of 1,305 Crete Beach Hotels "Beach - Currently sitting on the beach I can tell you it is a little sun trap! Crete's Best Beach Hotels as chosen by the independent experts at The Hotel Guru. 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. Some of the most beautiful and unique beaches are in the area nearby Damnoni is sandy with shallow clear waters, perfect for kids. See More, Set in an out-of-this-world location right on the Cretan seafront. The long-distance hiking route passes through the area, and there are several smaller gorges and empty beaches such as Sweetwater to discover. If it tickles your fancy there is a naturist beach off to the east. 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. Transfer time: 20 minutes from Heraklion International airport. Besides the beach, guests gather at the Olympic-sized pool and water park with a big slides for older kids and adults. There are only a few places to stay in Plaka try Athina Villas, Plaka Beach Cottages, and Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa. !" Breakfast included 2022 2. This is Crete off-the-beaten-track. " 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 . callback: cb Including the five star beach resorts, family friendly hotels on Crete and great value finds. Its located on the western end of the north coast, withpeaks of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) providing a dramatic backdrop. 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 3 main beaches and a long waterfront area thats full of seafood restaurants, bars and clubs, and is popular in the evening. Cleanliness 4.3. Triopetra Beach is located on the south of the island around a 2 hour drive from Heraklion airport. Very good. 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. Located 80km southwest of the town of Heraklion, it is much more secluded than your average beach, since it's just off the edge of (and sheltered by) a large gorge. 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. St Nicholas Bay Resort Hotels & Villas is a large 5* complex with direct beach access. #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 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! 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. Transfer time: 1hr 10 minutes from Chania International airport. 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. 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. It also provides stunning views from all angles. The other top choice in Rethymnon is Rimondi Estate whose courtyard swimming pool is becoming an Instagram star in its own right. 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. 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. Agiofarago Beach / Best Beaches in Crete Agiofarago Beach is the perfect beach in Crete if you want to sidestep the crowds.