With its vibrant nightlife, sun-kissed beaches and golden coves, Crete is a delightful holiday destination characterised by its mountainous landscapes, ancient Minoan ruins and Venetian facades. Within easy reach of the UK, with most flights taking just under four hours into two gateways - Heraklion to the east and Chania to the west, Crete offers good watersports facilities, international cuisine and extensive shopping.
With its vibrant nightlife, peaceful retreats, history and glorious beaches, Crete has something for everyone…
There is simply something to suit all ages and types of holidaymaker thanks to the variety of resorts and facilities Crete offers. The area you choose will be important in matching your tastes and interests with many family orientated activities available, rural retreats for peaceful romantics and those who want to escape the cosmopolitan buzz, and of course an energetic nightlife scene for the young and lively. This incredible variety can make every day different with deeply contrasting resorts in close proximity.
There are a number of resorts on both the east and the west of the island ideal for beach dwellers, with temperatures creeping into the thirties at the height of the summer season - as with most Greek islands, the main resorts in Crete close down for the winter.
The closest resort to the airport is Kokkini Hani, approximately 20 minutes drive away, which has an excellent beach and is ideal for couples or families who want to escape the hustle and bustle elsewhere on the island. Sitting on the outskirts of Heraklion, this resort has plenty of shops selling mementos, ceramics, jewellery and leather goods as well as a beautiful Morosini fountain and ruined city walls. The beach is not over-crowded by tourists and proves popular with locals allowing you to experience traditional character and good facilities.
Ierapetra and Stalis are two other quiet and friendly resort areas in the east for the young and mature alike. Stalis has a sandy beach and paved seafront promenade that features many shops and bars. It makes an ideal base with many excursions available, while Ierapetra is one of the most culturally unique areas with historical landmarks, a medieval fortress, a Turkish quarter and a house Napoleon once stayed in. It has two shingle beaches, and is one of the best resorts to experience a true taste of Crete with its blend of restaurants serving both Greek and international cuisine.
Aghias Nikolaos manages to combine tradition with a cosmopolitan feel. It has the charm of an authentic Greek town with delightful tavernas and sandy beaches with watersports, an aquarium, a cinema and a golf course. The waterfront cafes are thriving and much like the rest of the island the area comes alive once dusk falls. Crete is renowned for its folk dancing and bouzouki music as well as its modern discos and lively nightlife.
The two leading resorts in the west are both comparatively peaceful and quiet. Maleme does offer a number of watersports outside the hotels, but with its beautiful scenery it's an ideal location to relax on the several sandy beaches. Panormo by contrast has two small and sheltered sand and pebble bays, and there is a delightful fishing port filled with tavernas and bars, as well as a mini-train service. The Melidoni Cave is within close reach and the views from the top of the resort are spectacular.
Elsewhere, Knossos is an expansive palace sitting on a low hill just outside Heraklion, and is a draw for just about every visitor to the island. Here you can find the roots of the first European civilisation and the palace has earned the nickname of the 'legendary labyrinth'. Walking holidays are also increasingly popular with the gorge of Samaria to discover, along with the White Mountains, which dominate the horizon with their snowy caps.
