TOP 10 resorts of Crete: prices, why to go, pros and cons. Where is it better to relax with children, young people, elderly tourists and fans of excursions.
Map of resorts and beaches of Crete
Heraklion
The largest city and capital of Crete is located in the north of the island. More than 140 thousand people live in Heraklion.
Who suits. The city is chosen because of its developed infrastructure: there are chic hotels, boutiques, souvenir shops, and many restaurants. At the same time, Heraklion is suitable for history and architecture lovers. See archaeological sites, the legendary Palace of Knossos, the Venetian fortress of Koules, the ancient city of Gortyna, and the powerful defensive walls that were built around the city in the 16th century. Parents with children love Crete's aquarium, history and archaeological museums.
Prices... There are many hotels in Heraklion of different price categories. In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a flight from Moscow costs from 84 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... It is convenient to get to the resort - the international airport is located a few kilometers from the city. However, Heraklion is a large port center, so beach holidays in the city itself are not popular. To swim and sunbathe, tourists travel to the beaches of Amoudara, Karteros, Florida, Tompruk, Agia Pelagia and Fodele.
Rethymno
If you do not know where to go for a vacation in Crete, your stopover in Rethymno is a universal resort.
Who suits. Rethymno is chosen primarily by active tourists - those who like to explore the historical sites and natural parks of Crete. The resort is very conveniently located and serves as a base camp for many to travel around the island. At the same time, the city is good for a beach holiday. Small, quiet villages in the vicinity of the resort are loved by families with small children.
Prices... Holidays in Rethymno are inexpensive. In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a departure from Moscow costs from 82 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons. It takes 1.5-2 hours to get from Heraklion Airport to the resort. The old part of Rethymno looks like a museum. There are preserved narrow streets, the Fortezza fortress, Venetian buildings, magnificent churches and mosques from the times of the Ottoman Empire. Young people are also not bored - there are nightclubs. There are two diving centers for diving enthusiasts. Cycling tours are popular along the coast.
Chania
Crete's second largest city is located in the western, greenest part of the island. It is famous for its distinctive architecture, cozy parks and beaches with clean sand. The old town of Chania is the most beautiful in Crete.
Who suits. In the former capital of Crete, many architectural monuments of different eras have been preserved, so it is interesting to rest here for lovers of cultural and historical tourism. Chania has colorful Greek cafes and restaurants, shopping centers, a botanical garden, a water park and nightclubs. If you love active travel, visit the picturesque villages around the city. Explore deep gorges, cypress forests, grottoes and caves.
Prices... Chania is an inexpensive resort. In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a departure from Moscow costs 76 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... According to tourists, Chania is one of the best places to relax in Crete. On the downside, there are too many tourists.
Agios Nikolaos
It is the capital of one of the four regions of the island - Lassithi. Located in the east of Crete, 62 km from Heraklion. The Greeks call the picturesque resort Ayios, and tourists compare it to Saint-Tropez.
Who suits. Agios Nikolaos is loved by connoisseurs of old architecture and photographers. Local beaches are marked with the Blue Flag. Tourists like to walk along the well-groomed promenade, admire Lake Voulismeni and go on excursions.
Prices... In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a departure from Moscow costs from 83 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... Agios Nikolaos is an excellent starting point for exploring Central and Eastern Crete. There are many stairs, ascents and descents in the town, so parents with small children and elderly tourists are not very comfortable here.
Hersonissos
A tiny town in the north of Crete appeared more than 3.5 thousand years ago. The first to settle here were the Minoans. Now about 3 thousand people live in Hersonissos.
Who suits. This is one of the best youth resorts in Crete. Tourists from different European countries come here to spend time in noisy companies and have fun all night long.
Prices... Hersonissos is a cheap resort. In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a departure from Moscow costs from 66 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... The town has an aquarium, water park, Lychnostatis open-air museum and Labyrinth theme park. The beaches are different - with sand, large and small pebbles. The most beautiful places for a beach holiday are located a kilometer from Hersonissos. Of the minuses, it is quite noisy. Choose a hotel away from the main streets.
Malia
If you are looking for an inexpensive travel destination in Crete, pay attention to a beautiful resort 35 km from Heraklion.
Who suits. The small town is a popular hangout place. He is loved by students from France, England and Germany. There are practically no Russian tourists here.
Rates... In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a departure from Moscow costs from 60 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... The town has all the conditions for a beach holiday. Horseback riding and excursions to the excavations of the Minoan palace are popular among tourists.
Anissaras
A small resort east of Heraklion is good for a calm, quiet seaside holiday.
Who suits. The sandy and pebbly beaches of Anissaras are appreciated by families with children.
Prices... Rest at the resort is not expensive. In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a flight from Moscow costs from 70 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... It is convenient to get here. Airport transfers do not take long. The main local attraction is the snow-white temple of St. George at Cape Saradari. For the rest of the entertainment, you need to go to Heraklion.
Stalis
The resort village 30 km from Heraklion is known for clean beaches and a beautiful sea promenade.
Who suits. Calm and picturesque Stalis is popular with older tourists and couples.
Rates... The resort is not too expensive. Stalis has no hustle and bustle like the neighboring youth resorts of Hersonissos and Malia. Long sandy beaches have a gentle slope into the sea. They are wide enough, so there is enough space for everyone.
Agia Pelagia
The small resort village is located 18 km west of Heraklion.
Who suits. Agia Pelagia is a resort in Crete, where it is better to relax for parents with children, couples and snorkelers. The beaches are narrow and sandy, and the sea is clean and transparent. The bottom can be seen at a depth of 10 m.
Prices... In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a departure from Moscow costs from 75 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... Agia Pelagia is created for a measured holiday. There are no special attractions in the village. Tourists go to Heraklion for entertainment.
Amoudara
A small resort 8 km west of the capital of the island is a place in Crete where you should go with your children.
Who suits. Developed infrastructure and excellent sandy beaches with a gentle slope into the sea attract parents with kids and elderly travelers to Amoudara.
Prices... Amoudara is an inexpensive resort. In high season, a tour for 11 days for two with a departure from Moscow costs from 67 thousand rubles.
Pros and cons... The main advantage is the proximity of the airport and the attractions of Heraklion. There is only one drawback - there is a power plant at the resort, and sometimes an unpleasant smell appears next to it. Consider this when choosing a hotel!
Who and where is better to relax in Crete
The best resorts for young people: Hersonissos, Malia, Heraklion, Rethymno, Platanias and Agia Marina.
Where to go to Crete with kids: Rethymno, Chania, Amoudara, Anissaros, Stalida, Gouves, Gournes, Agia Pelagia, Elounda, Paleochora, Panormo, Almyrida, Georgiopoulis, Matala and Analipsi.Holidays with children in Crete →
Where to relax in Crete elderly tourists: Chania, Amoudara, Bali, Elounda, Stalida, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Myrtos and Kalyves.
Resorts for lovers cultural and excursion rest: Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.
When is the best time to relax in Crete
The largest island in Greece lies in a zone of warm subtropical climate. Crete is humid in winter. The air temperature at sea resorts is +14 ... + 16 ° С. It's much colder in the mountains.
The beach season starts in May and lasts until late October - early November. In July and August, the temperature rises to +35 ... + 40 ° С, and the sea water warms up to +24 ... + 26 ° С. Not everyone can stand this heat well. Parents with children and older travelers prefer to travel to Crete in May, June and during the velvet season in September and October.
