Elounda

Elounda offers a mix of family-friendly tavernas, well-organised beaches and boat trips from the harbour. Traditional Greek dancing nights are held in tavernas. From the seafront take a road train to the village of Plaka with its stylish artisan shops or visit Spinalonga, the small island that was once a leper colony and now the second-most visited tourist site in Crete.

Chania

The place to chill out and watch the world ngo by. The Venetian harbourside has horse drawn carriages to take visitors around the town. Visit Stavros Bay, where Zorba the Greek was filmed, or the Caribbean style Balos lagoon, Crete’s most photographed beach, on the Gramvousa peninsula. The excellent Maritime Museum is a few kilometres west of Chania.

Want to combine other resorts in Crete?

Sure! Crete is a island that's 160 miles long so here are some of the other resort you can stay and explore.

Plakias

This peaceful south coast village is surrounded by stunning countryside, rivers and gorges. In the 1960s only six fishermen lived here but it is now home to tavernas, guesthouses and apartments. A 1,300 metre beach is at the heart of the resort. Caves dug in the cliffs at the end of the beach were lived in by hippies in the 60s-70s before tourism took off.

Rethymno

Step back in time to this seaside town that is rich in history and fringed by lovely sandy beaches. The town has an aristocratic ambience with narrow stone archways leading through flower- decked streets. The beautifully preserved old town (palia poli) was built by the Venetians and is home to the 17th century Rimondi fountain.

Malia

If it’s a party you want then Malia is up for it. Rivalling Ibiza and Mykonos, it attracts top DJs in the bars and clubs. There are several beaches along the six kilometres of Malia’s beautiful sandy bay and plenty of sunbeds, sunshades and water sports. The further you move from the centre of Malia the more family friendly the beaches become.

Agios Nikolaos

A lively town spread over three hills, with four beaches, great shops and the impressive Voulismeni Lake which is surrounded by restaurants, cafes and shops. There is a shingle and sand town beach, another sandy beach beside a marina and two more beaches at the Elounda end of town.