Greece crete beautiful places. Resorts of Crete. The best resorts in Crete. Crete youth resorts

Greetings, friends, from sunny Greece!

This time, oddly enough, it will be absolutely not about food. It will be about my beloved country, in which I have been living and living for a long time, about the beautiful Greece and one of its favorite corners - the island of Crete.

A couple of months ago, the results of the annual voting in the category were announced: the best beaches in Europe according to the largest travel platform in the world, Tripadvisor. According to the results of voting by travelers from all over the world, the first three places were taken, respectively:

Spanish Playa beach de Ses Illetes in the Balearic Islands
Greek Elafonissi in Crete
Praia da Marinha in Portugal

I, as a professional vacationer specialized in Greece, will present you my ranking in the category: Best beaches in Crete. We visited Crete in the summer of 2015, so the memories and impressions are still fresh, and the photos have not faded yet (thanks to a good monitor), so the chronicles from the scene will be, if not sweet, then at least juicy and bright.

If you decide to go to Crete this year, then I immediately warn you - you will not regret it. No one has had a bad time in Crete yet. And even if you have some tensions with hotels, restaurants and attractions, good-natured and hospitable Cretans will cheer you up at the moment. At least a couple of cups for your arrival will be provided to you wherever you go. Approximately like here:

I remember that on the first evening when we went to the local tavern, we were all won over by the local waiter, who always had a glass in his pocket and he literally sat down at the table with everyone and drank for the company (of course, almost all the booze was issued at the expense of the institution). Only with us he drank 6 glasses of local raki grape vodka. Well, okay, I'll tell you about local gastronomic traditions next time, but now let's get down to business.

First of all, I want to warn you about some of the nuances that you will have to face in Crete so that they do not take you by surprise.

Firstly, the island of Crete is a very large island by Greek standards. Therefore, if among the services of your hotel there are no trips to Cretan beaches, you simply cannot do without a car or bike for rent. In addition, traveling long distances will take you quite a lot of time. Therefore, I recommend getting up early and leaving no later than 8-9 in the morning in order to have time to enjoy the still virgin morning nature.
Secondly, it should be noted that access to the coolest beaches of Crete is not childishly difficult. In most cases, this task is not for the faint of heart. But after reaching the goal, as a rule, the view that opens before you more than compensates for all your spent nerves, strength and calories.
Thirdly, the island of Crete is washed by as many as 3 seas: Cretan, Mediterranean and Libyan. And I will say right away: there is nothing to do in Libyan.
And lastly, and perhaps most importantly, you should not go to Crete in August. June, July, September - please! It's already/still very hot there. But in August, I advise you to stay away from the popular Greek resorts. Because this month, according to tradition, all Greeks, scoundrels, take mass vacations at the same time. And often such raids turn out to be not very pleasant sensations from the rest: when there is nowhere to park the car, it is impossible to find an umbrella with a deck chair and a table in a restaurant without prior order cannot be found during the day with fire.

We, as diligent tourists, prepared a list with the best restaurants in Crete in advance and booked a table in advance every day.

Long road in the dunes to Balos beach

After a hard climb

Yes, that's all. You are mentally prepared for the rest. We drove along the best beaches of Crete!

So, if you decide to go to Crete, you should definitely visit the beaches, which will be discussed below.

Top 5 beaches of Crete:

And remember: Crete is the most big Island Greece with its own rules and customs that set it apart from the rest of Greece. The Greeks themselves call Crete separate country. They are not like everyone else. And this is what makes it attractive, the most wonderful and unique Crete.

To visit all these beaches, it is best to settle in Chania, since most of these beaches belong to this nome.

Have a good rest and unforgettable impressions for a lifetime!

Ahhh, and who is worried about the refugees in Crete, you can not worry - they are not there.

See you soon.

Olga Afinskaya was with you.

Good luck, love and patience.

All. Bye. Bye.

Crete is the largest Greek island. It attracts tourists unique landscape- forest, mountain, sand, sea. The island has a mild and healthy climate. The air there is always clean and fresh, because there are no industrial enterprises nearby.

The sun in Crete shines 340 days a year. bathing season lasts from late April to mid-November. Winter is short, not frosty, with positive temperatures from 13°C to 16°C. That's why large quantity days of the year tourists visit.

Crete is washed by three seas:

in the north - Cretan;
in the south - Libyan;
in the west - Ionian.

These seas are completely different, which is noticeable even to the naked eye. The wonderful thing that every tourist can find in Crete perfect place for your vacation.

Where are the best beaches in Crete

First of all, you need to choose resort place on the island of Crete according to your preferences during your holiday, and beautiful beaches there are in any part of the island - sandy and pebbly, crowded and secluded. There are even very small beaches, they can only be reached by swimming.

There are beautiful beaches all over the island.

Territorially, Crete is divided into four administrative units (nomes):

Chania (western part),
Rethymno,
Heraklion,
Lasithi.

Parts of Crete are not similar to each other. Each territorial unit has its own characteristics.

Holidays in Chania

Here are located, in addition to many kilometers of beaches, deep caves, gorges, bays. And the whole city is surrounded by mountains that have a lime color. Rest will be more to the liking of connoisseurs of wildlife.

In Chania you can see ancient churches, fortresses, palaces of nobles, museums, monuments.

The beaches of the Libyan Sea

In the village of Agia Roumeli and around it, the beaches are famous for their black sand. On the coast of Falassarna, the beaches were once the seabed long ago. The sea retreated a kilometer and flat sands remained.

This place often hosts music festivals. Very active night life which attracts young people. On the background have fun you can immerse yourself in the history of the island.

Rethymno

Lovers should go to Retino cultural life. Archaeological territories, galleries, the Monastery of Arcadia, the Cave of Ideas, the Rimondi Fountain, houses of the Venetian era and many other attractions are concentrated here.

There are many picturesque beaches in this area. The longest beach stretches from Georgioupoli to Rethymnon at a distance of 15 km. In the city of Rethymno itself, active youth will have fun. And near the city are located quiet villages suitable for quiet families.

Heraklion is the administrative capital of the island of Crete

In the central part of Heraklion, there are the Palace of Knossos, the palace of Gortyn, Archaeological Museum etc.

In the area of Heraklion tourism infrastructure developed more than in other parts of Crete. Along the coast of the Cretan Sea are comfortable hotels, water parks and noisy resort centers. lovers active rest you will find here all kinds of water sports.

Eastern part of Crete - Lassithi

Lassithi will delight you with the earliest fruits and vegetables. Here is the palm grove of Vai. Lassithi is the greenest and most picturesque part of the island.

There are many beaches in this area, mostly quiet, sheltered from the wind. The coastline is strongly indented, therefore it forms many bays and bays.

The best beaches in Crete

It is impossible to name the best beach in Crete with firm certainty. For every vacationer it is his own. All of them are beautiful and unique in their own way, and the island of Crete is famous for them.

Each beach in Crete is beautiful and unique in its own way.

Most tourists prefer to relax on the beach with soft sand. The choice of these beaches is very large. Their advantage is that they are always clean, every morning technical workers comb the sand with a rake.

But there are also tourists who prefer pebble beaches. Undoubtedly, pebbles are very useful for the legs and back.

Almost all beaches are well-maintained, equipped with attractions.

Crete is the most large island Greece. It is associated with many different legends, myths and legends. Fiction and reality are so closely intertwined here that it is impossible to separate them. Crete is considered the birthplace of the father of all gods - Zeus. It was here that King Minos created his empire, and the bloody monster Minotaur was killed by Theseus. Exactly this unforgettable place on Earth, where tourists flock from all over the world. Here they are waiting - the bright sun, the gentle inviting sea, unique natural landscapes and happy residents.

General information

Crete (Κρήτη) - the fifth largest island mediterranean sea. Located 111 km from the European coastline. Asia is located 176 km from it, and Africa is 310 km away. Its unique shores are washed by the waters of three seas: from the north - the Cretan, from the south - the Libyan and from the west - the Ionian. The city of Heraklion is the territorial center of the island.

Holiday features in Crete

Crete attracts tourists unusual landscapes, mild and healthy climate. There is no suffocating heat here, even in the hottest months. The air is intoxicating and clean. There are almost no cloudy days. The sun pleases vacationers throughout the year - 345 days.
For good rest should choose a location appropriate to the nature of the planned picturesque beaches are available in all areas of Crete - pebbly and sandy, deep and shallow, noisy and quiet. There are beaches that can only be reached by swimming. The whole island is divided into four nomes (administrative centers):

Chania - west coast;
Rethymnon - northwestern part;
Heraklion - northeast;
Lassithi - east coast.

All zones are different. Each has its own characteristics. It should be noted that on southern shores Crete weather do not contribute to the development of tourism. The climate there is harsher, storms often occur.

Holidays in Chania

Despite the small size of the region, there is something to see here. Tourism in Chania is somewhat less developed than in other parts of Crete. So you can rest in the bosom untouched nature feeling the authentic Greek flavor. The area is considered the greenest on the island. Plane forests occupy a significant part of the space, and a stunning smell of pine needles comes from cypress thickets.
In the region, in addition to huge comfortable beaches, you can find deep caves, picturesque bays and mysterious gorges. The city is surrounded by limestone mountains. There are many ancient churches, palaces, fortresses, museums in Chania, which creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

Holidays in Rethymno

The region attracts tourists with sun-drenched meadows and hills, winding paths and endless beaches with developed infrastructure. The longest of them stretches from Georgioupoli to Rethymnon for 15.5 km. The view opens toy villages located on the slopes; the ruins of structures and the crystal sea. And tired of a beach holiday and traveling, you can relax in a local tavern, which serves excellent Greek dishes and local wines.
Tourists who prefer cultural recreation. There are many museums, archaeological sites, galleries, as well as the Monastery of Arcadia, the Rimondi Fountain and buildings from the time of the Venetians.

Holidays in Heraklion

Heraklion region is the most visited resort area. It contains the capital of Crete with the same name. Nearby is the airport, where all guests of the island arrive. Here are the most diverse resorts, a lot of entertainment facilities, water parks. Many of Heraklion's beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, which increases their attractiveness. In addition to well-groomed beaches and impeccable service, Heraklion is the most major center entertainment and on the whole island, with a mass shopping centers and shops.
In the center of the region are the palaces of Gortyn and Knossos, the museum of archeology and other cultural institutions. The whole region is literally permeated with ancient myths and fascinating ancient epics.

Holidays in Lassithi

The region is located on a kind of plateau with the same name. A variety of vegetation sprouts on amazingly beautiful landscapes. And also here is the most charming Mirabello Bay on the entire island. It is on the shores of the bay that the center of the region, the city of Agois Nikolaos, was built. mountain ranges located around are covered with coniferous trees and gardens. Everywhere you can see Greek villages immersed in flowers and windmills. And the coast is indented by many coves and bays. Early fruits and vegetables appear first in this part of the island.

If you do not know which city or resort to choose in Crete to go on vacation, then in this article you will find a description and comparison of resorts and beaches in Crete by region.

Cities and resorts of Crete - where to go

Crete has a lot of resorts with sandy beaches. We take a look at the best holiday resorts to help you decide where to go in Crete.

Overview of resorts on the west coast of Crete

The resorts in the west of Crete are very easy to reach from Chania airport, or by ferry to the port of Souda Bay.

Agia Marina- located west of Chania on the island of Crete, Greece. The resort of Agia Marina is popular for its large sandy beach, good hotels and developed tourist infrastructure, as well as fun establishments and vibrant nightlife.

Almyrida Crete (Almyrida) is a small fishing village east of Souda Bay. It has a good location - 25 km west of Chania. There are many good taverns, cafes and shops. Near Almyrida there are 2 sandy beaches with a shallow entrance.

Kalyves Crete (Kalyves)- Almirida's neighbor. This is one of the best beach resorts in Crete. This resort is big enough to be here a good choice hotels, but at the same time small enough to retain the flavor of Greece. Kalives is also fishing village, there are beautiful beaches and even have their own church.

Chania located against the backdrop of the wonderful white mountains of Lefka Ori. This city successfully combines modern Venetian and traditional Turkish architecture. Chania is not a beach resort in Crete, but it does have nice beaches and a fun nightlife.

Chania © sidibousaid/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Resorts of central Crete

Before central resorts Crete is easily accessible from the airport or seaport Heraklion, or from Chania.

Adelianos Kampos- one of the most popular beach resorts in the Rethymno region. In short, this resort is called Adele. It is located to the east of the city of Rethymno. There are many bars, restaurants and cheap hotels.

Agia Pelagia (Agia Pelagia) you will find on the north coast of Crete near Heraklion just 20 km west of Heraklion Airport - Nikos Kazantzakis. It is very calm here, good beaches, hotels and establishments.

Bali- a small village on the island of Crete. It can be found on the north coast between Heraklion and Rethymno. There is a good selection of hotels and restaurants. Near the village of Bali there are 4 small bays with beaches and a calm sea.

Georgioupolis very fond of family and elderly tourists. There are very beautiful beaches with golden sand. Large selection of hotels for every budget and good restaurants on the seashore. If you are in this resort, be sure to visit the Corrisia Park with a huge pool.

Gournes- another small one beach resort in the north of Crete near Hersonissos. There are several small beaches and the famous Cretan Aquarium, the largest seawater aquarium in Greece.

Gouves or Kato Gouves- a village in Crete, which is located 20 km east of Heraklion airport. This is a very popular beach resort in Greece. Here good hotels, golden sandy beaches, coastal taverns and vibrant nightlife - in general, everything for a comfortable stay.

Rethymno © robertpaulyoung/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Kokkini Hani (Kokkini Hani Crete) is a popular resort on the north coast of Crete, Greece. This resort is great for families and young people. It has great beaches, many 4 and 5 star all-inclusive hotels and an active nightlife. Kokkini Hani is located 15 km west of Heraklion.

Panormos (Panormos) located near Rethymno, Crete. There are 2 beautiful sandy beaches with golden sand in the best traditions of Greece, a beautiful bay, coastal bars and taverns.

Platanes (Platane)- a resort on the northern coast of Rethymno. There is an interesting nightlife here: sirtaki dance shows, lounge and cocktail bars, nightclubs. The beach in Platanes in Crete is long with golden sand mixed with pebbles, so many people wear beach slippers here.

Rethymno or Rethymnon (Rethymno/ Rethymnon)- one of the most visited resort cities of Crete, Greece. In the area of Rethymnon, there are many wonderful beaches. There is something to do here: beaches, luxury hotels, cozy taverns and restaurants, as well as nightlife. Nevertheless, the Rethymno region is also great for families with children. Rethymno can be reached by bus from Heraklion airport, the journey takes about an hour.

Eastern resorts of Crete

You can easily get to the eastern resorts of Crete from the airport or port of Heraklion.

Agios Nikolaos – main city the Lassithi region. First of all it is a city and only then a beach resort, but there are several good beaches.

Elounda- a special beach resort in Crete. It is close to the metropolis of Agios Nikolaos, there are very beautiful beaches and many luxurious hotels.

Hersonisos- one of the most popular resorts in Crete. It is located 27 km from Heraklion Airport on the north coast of Crete. There is a wide choice of hotels, catering establishments and options for how to have fun at night.

Istron - Kalo Horio (Istron - Kalo Horio) located 10 km from Agios Nikolaos. Istron is a quiet beach resort on the coast, while Kalo Chorio is further from the sea. Istron has 3 beautiful bays within walking distance from each other, where it is very pleasant to swim.

Istron is a quiet beach resort on the coast, while Kalo Chorio is a bit inland. Istron has three attractive coves that are within walking distance of each other and close to fine taverns and small shops.

Malia (Malia) very popular with tourists 18 - 30 years old. Malia is located 30 minutes from the airport. Here is one of the best beaches Crete. The hottest nights in Crete are here. Malia is famous for its clubs, bars that will pull you into the pulsating rhythm of this resort.

Sisi Small and beautiful beach resort in Crete. It has its own small picturesque port and several good beaches. The seaside village of Sisi is 25 km from Agios Nikolaos.

Sitia- most oriental resort Crete. There are many pretty things in the harbor of Sitia fishing boats, beautiful embankment framed by palm trees. Long and clean sandy beach.

Stalis or Stalida (Stalis or Stalida)- the best beach resort in Crete There is something for everyone here. The beach here is very long with soft golden sand. This resort is great for families with small children. Stalis is located 30 km from Heraklion and between Hersonison and Malia. Hotels, shops, restaurants - everything is here.

Resorts on the south coast of Crete

The resorts in the south of Crete can be easily reached, both from Heraklion and from Chania.

Agia Galini located in the Rethymnon region. This small resort has a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. There are enough hotels and restaurants here to give you a choice without losing a sense of Greek identity.

Ierapetra is the southernmost city in Europe. There are excellent beaches and hotels that will suit any traveler's budget.

Makrigalos (Makrigialos) is a small coastal village in the south of Crete. Despite its modest size, Makrigialos has several good beaches and a wide range of holiday accommodations. But a very calm atmosphere.

Matala – popular resorts Crete. Matala is located in the southern part of Heraklion. Matala beach is an example of a real natural beauty. Messara Bay with its soft shelf sands and sandstone cliffs will not leave anyone indifferent. It is here, according to Greek mythology, Zeus swam ashore in the form of a bull with Europa on his back.

Paleochora (Paleochora) is the most popular beach resort in south coast. Usually, they get to Paleochora from Chania. Hotels, restaurants, nightlife and beaches are all there.

Sougia located on the southern coast of the Chania region. Sougia is a quiet beach resort in Crete. The southern coast of Crete is generally calmer than the north. Therefore, Sugiya is great for families with a small budget, because. many restaurants and hotels are cheaper here than in the more popular neighboring resorts.

Chora Sfakion located in a picturesque area on the south coast of western Crete. Usually, they get here from Chania. In the Sfakia area there are several small quiet beaches. Many tourists come here to arrange trekking in the mountains and gorges of Crete. And local cheese pies with honey are beyond praise.

Frangokastello (Frangokastello) nestled in the neighborhood of Chora Sfakion. This is another small beach resort on the south coast of Crete. There are few calm sandy beaches here, but there are the ruins of the Venetian castle of Francogostello, which looks very impressive on a beach with shallow crystal clear water.

Loutro (Loutro)- probably one of the most desirable resorts in Crete due to its inaccessibility. You can only get here by ferry. It's very relaxing holiday, and if you want to be in silence, then Loutro will not disappoint you. There is also cheap hotels and housing, and taverns.

South Crete - part Greek island still little explored by tourists. Here majestic mountains coexist with wild beaches, but instead of huge hotel complexes- small apartments in quiet villages. And yet, on the south coast, there was a place for developed resort villages where you can relax in peace and enjoy the benefits of civilization. Where is the best place to stay in South Crete?

paleochora

Among the most popular southern resorts Crete - Palaiochora. Just half a century ago, a fishing village stood here, located on a small peninsula near the Libyan Sea. Over time, tourists were imbued with the charm of the traditional way of Paleochora and appreciated its beaches. On both sides, the town is surrounded by sandy and pebble bays - both are well equipped and are washed by a shallow clear sea. East Beach good for families with children, and waves often rise on the west, which create suitable conditions for windsurfers.

After relaxing on the coast, it is worth getting acquainted with the sights of Paleochora. The ruins of a Venetian fortress of the 13th century rise above the village, and nearby are the remains of ancient city Calamidi. Looking into the churches of Palaiochora, you can admire the Venetian frescoes. As for leisure, it’s hard to get bored in Paleochora: there are bars, a couple of clubs, traditional taverns, souvenir shops. You can go for a short boat trip or rent equipment for diving and surfing.

Matala is one of the most legendary places in Greece associated with the hippie culture. Bob Dylan came here, in the 60s the glory of the resort thundered far beyond the borders of Crete. Today the atmosphere here is much calmer: you can combine a leisurely beach holiday with excursions. Little is left of the noisy parties - there are several bars and colorful taverns. The well-maintained beach of Matala is covered with sand and surrounded by rocks. Very close - apartments, supermarkets and cafes. Half a kilometer from the village is the Red Beach, the road to which leads along a narrow path.

On the coast is the main attraction of Matala - rocks with artificial caves. In ancient times, people lived in them, then they were chosen by hippies. Now the rocks can only be visited for a fee. Resting in Matala, one cannot help but go to the ancient cities of Gortyn and Festus. Palaces, the remains of theaters and residential buildings are located in impressive archaeological sites.

Plakias is located in one of the most beautiful bays South Crete surrounded by mountains. The sea here is always calm, but the water is cooler than in the resorts of East and West Crete. For relaxation, you can choose central beach, as well as small bays scattered around it. Plakias is an example resort village, in which the tourist infrastructure does not violate the general atmosphere of tranquility. There are large supermarkets, apartments, taverns, 4 * hotels, diving centers, but at the same time, the main contingent of vacationers are lovers of leisurely relaxation. You can diversify your trip to Plakias with trekking, dinner right on the seashore or a walk to the village of Myrtios. It is located above Plakias and offers excellent panoramic views of the bay.

Loutro

Loutro is a destination dreamed of by residents of noisy cities. This Cretan village is decorated with white houses and is completely isolated from mainland. The only way to get to Loutro is to first get to Chora Sfakion and then transfer to the ferry. There are no clubs or bars here, but there are real Cretan taverns, clear sea and local hospitality. In Loutro pebble beach, there are almost no storms, so you can safely swim or ride a catamaran. If you want to add new colors to your vacation, you can swim to the beaches of Glika Nera and Marmara, visit the village of Agia Roumeli or explore the surroundings on foot. Around Loutro lie the ruins of Venetian forts and Turkish towers.

Ierapetra

In Crete, Ierapetra is known as the center of agriculture. Tourism for locals is not the main source of income, but in last years in the very southern city more and more hotels appear on the island. Ierapetra is interesting for tourists with its long beach, which stretches for 7 km and unpretentious climate - it allows you to relax in the resort until November. Of the sights worth seeing Old Ierapetra: here are concentrated historical Buildings, and in one of the houses Napoleon stopped for a short time. The pride of Ierapetra is the fortress of Kules. The Venetian monument not only decorates the harbor, but also becomes a venue for festivals and concerts. If you have time, you can go to reserved island Chrissy. It is located near Ierapetra and is famous for sandy beaches.