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What to do in Malia

With its long, sandy beach and clear, shallow Aegean waters, Malia is as renowned for its array of watersports as for its nightlife. If you can tear yourself off your lounger, there’s family fun at nearby waterparks, and awesome ruins to mystify amateur archaeologists.

Beach watersports

Malia's beach isn't just for lazing in the sun. Many hotels have their own watersports clubs, and you'll find lots of outfits along the beach offering everything frombanana-boat rides and parascending to jet-skis, windsurfers, paddleboards and pedalos.

For serious thrill-seekers, find a flyboard or jetpack. Propelled by high-pressure hoses, you’ll be boosted high into the air and really get that adrenaline pumping.

Star Beach

More than just a water park, Star Beach is a palm-dotted green oasis on its own sandy bay at Hersonisos, a 15-20 minute drive from Malia.

For kids, there are gentle lazy river rides, water slides and multiple pools. For older daredevils, Star Beach offers an array of exciting activities on, above and under water. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from, and a day and night fun scene features foam parties and top DJs.

Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre

Turtles, pythons, chameleons and iguanas are stars of the show at this family attraction in Hersonissos, around a 15-minute drive from Malia.

Clever octopuses and other strange marine creatures from waters around Crete are also on display here, and kids can get up close and personal with exotic creatures and learn more about where they come from.

Ancient Knossos and the Archaeological Museum

With its brightly painted columns and vivid fresco paintings of bulls and dolphins, Knossos - around a 35-minute drive from Malia – is Crete's must-see location.

Combine a visit here with a trip to the Archaeological Museum in nearby Heraklion for a glimpse of ancient treasures.

Ancient Malia

The remains of an incredibly ancient city lie on a hillside just 2 miles (3km) from Malia's old town.

You’ll need to use your imagination to visualise it in its heyday, almost 4,000 years ago, but it's much less busy than Knossos. Wander around the foundations of its royal palace, central courtyard crypts and storehouses at leisure.