Crete - help me find criteria-filling spot please

[secondhoneymoon]

Crete is one of the options for second leg of holiday, appeal being combination of history & beaches, but would like to have a choice of restaurants in walking distance. We're not 'clubbers' but like atmospehere when eating out. So where would we base ourselves?
Also, just 2 of us , don't mind whether we're in a hotel (B&B Basis only) or self catering as long as three is a pool and the opportunity to meet other people. Additional recommendations of accommodation would also be gratefully received. Thank you

Gavalochori is beautiful in the hills about 45 mins drive from Chania. There are villas and possibly some apartments available walking distance to the heart of the village. There are a few little shops and 3 restaurants, Monica's is my favourite. 3km away is Almyrida which is a small beech resort with lots of restaurants and shops.
I've just come back from my 3rd stay in Gavalochori and love it, but it was bloody hot. We stayed in a two bed villa with a pool as it was just the two of us as well.

Thank you Faerie, this is exactly the kind of info I'm looking for. Will investigate further.
Anyone any other recommendations - or places we should avoid?

Elounda. Lots of great places to eat, beautiful fishing village with boat trips out and near to Ag Nik which is very upmarket.

I second Elounda. I stayed there last year and it was beautiful. Ag Nikolaos is not far away from Elounda and is full of lovely restaurants and shops.

I stayed in Elounda last year too, it is so beautiful! Only downside we found was transfer from airport took 2 hours, and there is no evening entertainment anywhere- lots of restaurants though and the scenery more than made up for it.

We stayed in Palazzino di Corina in Rethymnon in 2015, it was lovely. Fortress and trip to Phaestos for history. Maybe stay a night or two in Heraklion first and do a visit to Knossos. Chania is a good place to stay for doing the Samaria Gorge walk which is beautiful.

Thank you all

Sissi. Don't be put off by the fact that it is only 4 miles from Malia. It is everything Malia isn't. Quiet, low key, small and friendly. We stayed at the Castello Boutique hotel and loved it.

Another vote for Elounda! Lovely town with lots of restaurants; very pretty seafront. Not far from Knossos or Chania; or indeed Spinalonga if you like that kind of thing.

Why "if you like that kind of thing"? I have been to Spinalonga and found it fascinating. It makes a change from seeing a cathedral or stately home. Don't you enjoy sightseeing?

Koutouloufaria - just up the hill from Hersonissos, but so so different. Lovely place which I'd go back to in a second.

Elounda and Rythminon (I've likely spelt that wrong)

I mean leper colonies. Not necessarily a barrel of laughs.

I'd aim for a little village 10-15 min from Chania - we go every year, stay in Kato Stalos (the coast/beach is amazing) and then drive/bus in to Chania's old town in the evenings for supper and a wander round. Chania has an old Venetian port and is really lovely - we've been four years in a row and still keep finding new things to see and do.

It's fascinating though Unem. Have you read The Island by Victoria Hislop? It's a good holiday read if you are going to Crete. It has also massively increased the number of visitors to the island.

I have. All I meant really is that visiting a place where thousands of people were corralled to die is not necessarily a fun day out.

Thank you, we can't get flights that suit our other arrangements so will park Crete til another time, will capture all your suggestions til then. Thanks all x

"All I meant really is that visiting a place where thousands of people were corralled to die is not necessarily a fun day out."

That wasn't the impression I got. Yes, they were isolated from the rest of Crete, but it was a proper village with shops, school, library, hospital etc. It was a proper community. It isn't like visiting a concentration camp.

I am going to crete for the 4th time this august and have just bought that book to read thanks a lot for recomendation