Heraklion area Holidays

The peaceful village of Gournes is a relative newcomer on Crete’s northern coast. That said, its unhurried, laid-back vibe leads you to believe it’s been around much longer. Pint-sized guesthouses and apartments are sprinkled across the rugged landscape, which centres around a charming waterfront and a pristine stretch of sandy beach. And the better-known tourist spots of Gouves and Kokkini are within strolling distance.

• Golden Bay Apartments

This traditional village sits on the slopes of a green hillside in north-eastern Crete. It’s a small, tranquil place, but it still packs in lots of authentic tavernas, not to mention a beautiful 16th-century church. The village overlooks the lively town of Hersonissos, so you’ve got easy access to the bright lights – not to mention the beautiful blue Aegean Sea and the sandy beaches that dot the coast.

• Mika Apartments

Sandwiched between Hersonissos five kilometres to the west, and Malia three kilometres to the east, Stalis is one of the most laid-back and sophisticated holiday retreats in Crete. Until the 1980s, it was a small fishing village. Today, it’s a cosmopolitan seaside town which attracts visitors from all over to world to its quaint Venetian-style streets. It's also home to one of the best stretches of sand on the island.

• Stefania Studios
• Panorama Studios and Apartments
• Latania Studios

Lyttos Beach, on Crete’s northern coast, is a long stretch of golden sand backed by two luxury hotels. For everything else, the village of Analipsi is just five minutes’ walk away. It’s a calm spot with bars and tavernas along the main street. As for getting out and about, the buzz of Hersonissos is literally up the road, while historic Heraklion is just 30 minutes’ drive away.

• TUI SENSATORI Resort Atlantica Caldera Palace

At first glance Malia is a high-rise, modern town earning its name as Crete’s party capital – with world-class nightlife and activity-fuelled beaches to match. Party credentials aside, though, there’s also a secret network of cobbled streets and dinky Medieval churches to explore in the old town.

• ICandy Apartments
• Ilios Malia
• Oasis Apartments
• Elkomi
• Hotel Frixos & Apartments
• Hotel Malia Dedalos

Kokkini Hani is on the north coast of Crete. It used to be a fishing village, then the locals from nearby Heraklion started popping by for the beach at weekends – and before you knew it, the place had holiday destination written all over it. That said, it hasn’t overdone things as far as bars and restaurants are concerned, so it’s still got a low-key vibe. If you fancy upping the pace in the evenings, Heraklion has all the buzz.

• Ideal Apartments

When you go to Gouves, you actually get two places for the price of one. The old village of Pano Gouves, with its whitewashed houses and churches, is built into the side of Mount Ederi. Then, at the bottom of the hill, there’s the seaside town of Kato Gouves, where you’ll find the bars, restaurants and hotels. It’s all just 25 minutes from Crete’s capital Heraklion, and 15 minutes from the island’s biggest resort, Hersonissos.

• The Island Hotel
• Ourania Apartments Hotel
• Hara Ilios Village

Hersonissos is a big, glossy town on the north coast of the island. It’s one of the liveliest places on Crete, with restaurants, bars and clubs keeping the nightlife upbeat in the centre and along the waterfront. There’s more to this place than big nights, though. It comes with a couple of waterparks, not to mention a trio of rather lovely beaches.

• Aldemar Knossos Royal
• Imperial Belvedere
• Chrissi Amoudia
• Bellos Apartments
• Sylvia
• Hotel Nana Beach

Koutouloufari is tucked among a patchwork quilt of olive groves, in the north-east of Crete. It’s some 100 metres above sea level, so the views are out of this world. But that’s not the only draw. Cobbled alleyways, age-old stone houses, and tavernas serving local food all cement the village’s authentic status. And only around 600 people live here, so it never feels crowded.

• Galaxy Villas