Malia holidays

Holidays to Malia are a mix of party-hard beach resort and traditional Cretan town life, with a side of Minoan Palace thrown in.

High life

Malia's modern face is that of a town known for its world-class nightlife. If that's your thing, you can party 'til the sun comes up in the many pubs, chic bars and clubs. It also attracts big-name DJs, so there's a lively summer music scene. You'll find well-known fast-food outlets here, alongside locally grown bananas. You can have breakfast on the beach before you go to bed. On the other hand, old town Malia is a hidden network of tiny Byzantine churches which you can explore at a more laidback pace. Just out of town, there's also a Minoan Palace archaeological site. It's much quieter and more accessible than Knossos.

Beaches

Malia is famous for its beaches, with six separate shore areas stretching over five kilometres of warm sand. There are plenty of restaurants and bars, and various types of activity. Choose the fun watersports at Glozanie Beach, or the children’s lido and sunbathing facilities at Sun Beach. If you're looking for something quieter, try the clear waters at the locally popular Potomas Beach.

Sightseeing

Malia lies about 45 minutes’ drive from Heraklion, the capital of Crete, with its historic architecture and Knossos Palace. In the other direction, it's only half an hour or so to the picturesque town of Aghios Nikolaos, where you can get a boat out to Spinalonga island.