Holiday in Crete

[houseinamess]

Sorry I am posting in living overseas, but I couldn't find the right section. I am looking at going to Crete in September. I have never been, and wanted advice on uncommercialisegd areas which still have some authenticity, nice beaches and cultural activities - ruins etc to visit. Recommendations for hotels too? I have been to Kefalonia many times and wonder how they compare?

Hi there OP,

We're just sending this over to travel advice for you!

crete is many times more commercialised than Kef. you can find quieter bits if you want to - like with all places. we stayed over in the East by Elounda and it was lovely.

The Chania area is lovely. Lots of small resorts/villages dotted around, plus Chania city is well worth a visit too.

Kissamos in the west has a lovely level of tourist amenity, car hire/walks/beaches/boat trips/ruins everywhere but without crowds of tourists. It's a working town so not as beautiful as Rethymno for example, but proper Crete imho. The other end of the island- sitia is also beautiful and less crowded/commercialised but a bit more of a faff to get to.

Crete is a huge island. Which area will you be in? Knowing this helps with knowing what to recommend.
That said, Chania old town is indeed very lovely and highly recommended.

Make sure you select the correct airport for wherever you stay. There are 2 main airports on Crete.

If you can try Markirgialos in the south , far less commercialised than the north coast

Loutro is gorgeous! It's only accessible by boat, although you can walk to places.

Hotel Porto Loutro is really great.

We went to Sissi three years ago and had a fabulous holiday. it is only a few miles from Malia, but the complete opposite. it is quiet and low key.

We stayed here and were so well looked after. They no longer accept children, but I would go back in a heartbeat.

We stayed in Elounda in May/June & it was lovely. It was getting busier all the time we were there, but by September it should have calmed down again. You'd fly to Heraklion for the eastern side of Crete.

Chania sounds amazing. It was too far for a day trip for us but we'd like to stay there another time - lots of Airbnb there. It has its own airport

Watching with interest as we are off yo Crete and my son has asked to see some architecture

Thanks, all good food for thought! If booking independently it looks hard to get direct flights at the moment. Really good advice, thank you.

Where do you fly from?

EasyJet fly to Heraklion from Manc until early November

& travel supermarket says

'Thomas Cook, Thomson, Aegean, easyJet and British Airways all operate direct flights from London Gatwick Airport to Heraklion several times per week between March and October'

I love Crete! If you want an understated but really great family-run hotel, look at Marakas Beach Hotel in Kato Stalos (a 15 minute drive from Chania old town). We've been four times now, it's that great. Their Booking.com score is something absurd like 9.7.

EasyJet also Bristol, Edinburgh & Luton to Heraklion.

Less choice to Chania though I think.

Travelsupermarket is always a good place to start

www.travelsupermarket.com

Chania isn't so far from Heraklion really. The south coast is much less commercial but even on the north coast, the little villages above the main resorts are lovely...
I had a holiday in Hersonisos Port which is a bit partyish in places but the villages up the hill, like Piskopiano were fine. I really enjoyed Agios Nikolaus as well and although it will be busy in season, it might suit you out of season.
I love Crete and I seriously considered moving there at one point.

No, you're right, gallicgirl, it's only 2 hours - less than 100 miles (roads aren't fast). (It's over 3 hrs from Elounda which is why a day trip wasn't an option )

OP, if you want car hire I can recommend Athens Cars - good prices which include CDW, & a decent car with functioning A/C, which we never got in Corfu!

They have an office in Chania too if you're going there & would rather have a transfer initially

www.athenscars-crete.gr/car-hire/

We stayed at the Seaside Resort and Spa in Pelagia, was fabulous! Really recommend a visit to Knossos.

Hi thinking of Crete next year June/October. Would be travelling with 5/6 and 3 year old. Ideally a resort with pool good transport link kids club near to beach and 2 bedroom with A/c. Both children are good walkers but looking for Cultural things that will hold short attention spans although we will spend time at the beach! and may do the creteaquruim and dinosaur park too! Any help appreciated thinking about the region in the west of Crete

looking to go to Crete next year what are your top things to do with a 3 year old and 5 year old. Other than beaches and water parks! Many thanks for any help