Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

come talk to me about Crete

10 replies

sinclair · 23/06/2010 07:12

We have a long fortnight in greece this summer, first week in Peloponnese with friends, then a few days in Athens and then we flights back from Crete a week later. I picked crete as have always wanted to see Knossos, was thinking we would need to be a night or two in Heraklion to do that, the rest of the week we could be anywhere on the island.

We like a pool, happy if this is shared, self catering once we are somewhere for more than a few days, ideally walking distance from a village for shops and restaurants and the coast as hoping not to have a hire a car. Prefer quiet coastal villages (do they exist?) to big resorts. Happy to take buses to see other parts of the island tho. There are lots of options on the 'book direct with owner' sites, my problem is where to start. Chania in the west looks nice - any recommendations in that area? Or other ideas on the island? Thanks!

OP posts:
spacedog · 23/06/2010 20:18

Chania is lovely, but a town rather than a village. There are many traditional surrounding villages where you can stay though. Beaches are ok but not brilliant, although you can easily drive south where the nice beaches are, including Elafonissi which is beautiful. Drive or take an excursion to the Samaria Gorge which is a nice, absolutely beautiful but very long 16km downhill walk.

IWillNotNeverEatATomato · 23/06/2010 20:35

I love Crete it is such a fantastic island

Elounda is beautiful (other side of the island to Chania), near the island of Spinalonga, the beach here is small shingle but the sea is very warm and slopes very gently so is perfect for children.

We have also stayed in Gouves before, which is not too far from Heraklion airport, but far enough to not be bothered by the aeroplanes.
It is pretty central on the island so is a good base to go from

I would hire a car if I were you, because even if you are within walking distance to shops etc the island is large and full of fantastic places to visit.

Leslaki · 23/06/2010 22:05

I lived here for 2 years and would prefer the Chania area to Gouves/Elounda - the East of Crete is more touristy.

smallorange · 23/06/2010 22:11

We stayed near Chania with Simpson Travel - kalives -small village bit shabby, good beach, pool. We really enjoyed it and chania a lovely town.

Crete is great to explore - easy to get around, just one major road really.

We are going to Stoupa on Sunday.

gobsmackedetal · 24/06/2010 08:12

here

gorgeous traditional little village with beautiful, sandy beaches, perfect for children, all ameneties without the crowds.

Don't know if you can find a place with a pool, but there are lots of self catering appartments, very reasonably priced

gobsmackedetal · 24/06/2010 08:15

list of hotels and appartments here if you're interested

sinclair · 25/06/2010 22:47

thanks all - this is great. Gobsmackedetal your village looks perfect, will be looking into that over the weekend. Can't believe we are leaving in under a month!

OP posts:
Nefret · 26/06/2010 21:23

I have stayed in Kalives too and it is lovely, I would love to go back one day.

Stoupa is lovely too!

Decorhate · 28/06/2010 11:21

I stayed in Rethymnon (sp?) many ears ago which I liked. We got a local bus into Heraklion to see Knossos (which I was underwhelmed by tbh!). I don't know how easy it is to get self-catering for less than a week so might be best to get somewhere for a week and do a day-trip into Heraklion?

icancancan · 30/06/2010 22:01

would also second paleohora - quite remote but some lovely beaches and simple tavernas. lots of basic self catering accommodation dotted along the beaches.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page