Best areas in Crete?

[JustlikeElllie]

Can anyone recommend an area in Crete for us please?

Family of 4 including a teen, but like quieter, family places. Nice sandy beach is important. Probably looking at all inclusive anyway, but nearby a few shops and restaurants would be good.

Thank you in advance.

Georgoupolis in Chania is lovely

I went to Elounda years ago and it sounds as if it would fit the bill

I’ve been to Chania which is a harbour/port style little town, with beaches. I also did a coach trip to a beach with pink sand and crystal blue seas with a lagoon - can’t remember the name but was 7th most beautiful beach in the world, at that time anyway!

Elounda is lovely

The beach you mentioned is Elafonisi which is a very popular day trip. It's a beautiful spot but somewhat a victim of its own success. When I first went there in 1989 it was very crowded when the access was not as good as it is today. The attached picture is from July 2017. The other picture is Paleochora beach taken in 2009 from the hilltop, it's not changed much. It's a nice friendly town on the South Coast where we often stay. Getting here by public bus from Chania takes a similar time to going to Elafonisi.