What to see and what to do in Crete; Accommodation on the famous beaches.
There are lots to see and do in Crete!!!
In the shop windows of bustling Iraklio, cosmopolitan Agios Nikolaos, picturesque Rethimno, and Hania, elegant furs, precious jewelry and artistic silverware attract the visitor's attention. In the shops of lovely Sitia and tranquil Ierapetra and in mountainous Anogia the spread out patanies, traditional local woven fabrics in dazzling colors impress one, and everywhere one sees skillfully crafted ceramics and leather goods. In the marketplace of the same city, the only one of its kind, but also in similar shops all over the island, every kind of food, fruit and vegetable produced in the fertile valleys, hot houses and mountain regions, is laid out on display. Exotic avocados, Belgian endive and bananas, juicy oranges and fragrant melons, succulent figs and tasty prickly pears, delicious grapes, sweet tomatoes, tender cucumbers, fresh-watering sardines, tempting lobster, kid from the islet of Gavdos, honey perfumed with thyme, and wonderful cheeses - graviera (gruyere), myzithra (ricotta), fresh white cheese, and soft, luscious staka.
The evenings are enchanting spent next to the intoxicating aroma of a jasmine vine in an open-air cinema, seated in the comfortable chairs of a pastry shop, gathered round the table of a fish-tavern right by the sea, strolling in solitude on a remote, deserted beach, or why not, enjoying the rhythms of rock in a discotheque or bar or conversing in the spacious lounge of a Crete luxury hotel.
Life is not only trekking and secluded beaches; it certainly is nightlife too. If this is the reason for your visit to the island then head right away for Hersonissos, Malia, Rethymnon, Chania or Agios Nikolaos.
Hersonissos is the nightlife paradise of Crete. There are hundreds of bars, big hotels and nice restaurants. There are also nice beaches, especially "limanakia", a number of very small bays located to the east of "Beach Crete Hotels". Don't forget to pay a visit to "Lychnostatis" Cretan Museum, as well as the water parks of "Aqua Splash" and Star Beach.
If you like nightlife but also need some moments of relaxation then the nearby (1 km) villages of Koutouloufari, Piskopiano and Ano Hersonissos are excellent choices. These are traditional villages with the advantage of being close to Iraclion, Knossos and Hersonissos. For us living in Iraclion, Hersonissos is too noisy and over-crowded but Koutouloufari is an excellent choice for spending an evening.
If you spend some time in Malia take a walk in the narrow streets of the old village; turn right at the church at the main road and walk around. There are some nice taverns there. This part of the town is completely different from the road leading to the beach, where most bars are.
Agios Nikolaos is a pretty town by the sea with its own picturesque lake. Try to locate the cafe right above the lake; the view is great.
Luxury Crete hotels:
Atlantis Hotel, Creta Royal Hotel, Crete Elounda Mare Hotel, Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Fodele Beach Hotel, Grecotel Rithymna Beach Complex, Istron Bay Hotel, Kalimera Kriti Hotel & Village Resort, Knossos Royal Village Hotel, Knossos Royal Villas Hotel, Megaron Hotel, Minoa Palace, Minos Beach Hotel, Minos Imperial Luxury Beach Resort, Minos Palace Hotel, Mythos Palace Hotel, Perla & Spa Hotel, Pilot Beach Resort, Porto Elounda, Rinela Beach Hotel, Crete Royal Mare Village, Santa Marina Plaza Hotel, Serita Beach, St. Nicolas Bay Hotel, Star Beach Village, Terra Maris Hotel, Akali Hotel, Aldemar Cretan Village,Alexander House Hotel, Aphrodite Beach Hotel, Apollonia Beach Hotel, Crete, Arhanes Villa, Crete, Arina Sand Hotel, Arolithos Hotel, Astir Beach Hotel, Astoria Capsis Hotel, Crete, Avdou Villas, Crete, Candia Park Village, Chrissi Amoudia Hotel, Creta Star Hotel, Cretan Malia Park, Crete Elounda Ilion Hotel, Galaxy Hotel, Grecotel Club Creta Sun, Grecotel Club Marine Palace, Grecotel Elounda Village, Hermes Hotel, Hersonissos Maris Hotel, Hersonissos Palace Hotel, Iberostar Creta Marine Hotel & Bungalow, Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare Hotel, Imperial Belvedere Hotel, Kernos Beach, Kydon Hotel, Magda Hotel, Maya Beach Hotel, Palazzino di Corina Luxury Suites, Pantheon Palace Beach Hotel, Pearl Beach Hotel, Rethymno Bay Hotel, Crete Royal Belvedere Hotel, Scala Palace Hotel, Sissi Bay Hotel, Theartemis Palace Hotel, Veneto House, Atrion Hotel, Atrium Hotel, Crete, Casa Delfino Suites, Coral Hotel, Crete Olympic Hotel, Ormos Hotel, Rea Hotel