​Crete: Hidden Gems

​​Activities

​​​​27th June 2019

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is a popular holiday destination for many reasons, including its fantastic beaches, fabulous cuisine, stunning scenery and ideal climate. Get away from it all at one of our lesser known great escapes, where you can experience the ultimate rest and relaxation in one of our Crete villas.

In this blog, we look at some of Crete’s best-hidden features that you’re going to want to keep to yourself.

Myrtos

Myrtos is a small village located on the island’s south-east coast and is considered by many to be one of the jewels of Crete. This picturesque village’s laid-back atmosphere is infectious, and a stroll along its pristine streets is both relaxing and cultural.

Myrtos beach in Lasithi is glorious yet peaceful; the surrounding cliffs are majestic, yet the lapping waves are restful – it is perfect. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy some spectacular views over clear turquoise waters.

Loutro

Another of the island’s great escapes; perfect for simply getting away from it all and enjoying a quieter pace of life. This charming fishing village is mostly untouched by mass tourism and is an ideal destination for those looking for a bit of tranquillity.

No roads lead to the village, and as such it’s only accessible by boat or by foot, giving it a somewhat secluded charm. This peaceful village is surrounded by beautiful rugged mountains and countryside landscapes, complete with an array of breathtaking valleys and gorges – as you can probably guess, there are plenty of opportunities for walking here.

Elafonisi

This peaceful area in the south west of Crete is technically an island. However, it can be accessed on foot in beautiful weather by walking through the shallow waters between Elafonisi and Chania. The waters here are crystal clear and perfectly complemented by magnificent pink-hued sands. Currently, the area remains unspoilt by tourism and is an ideal place for enjoying a bit of peace.

Balos Beach

This secluded beach offers impressive scenery and has got to be one of the most photographed beaches in all of Crete. The beach is famous for its wild natural beauty and pristine turquoise waters, though getting there can be a little tricky, which is what maintains the area as one of our hidden gems.

To get to Balos beach, you will need to take a walk down a 2km path, but on the other hand, you’ll be surrounded by stunning beach and gentle slopes. Getting there might tire your kids out if you have any with you, but it’s also a very child-friendly area with plenty of shallow areas.

Aspri Limni

This small beach is a hidden paradise, making it a great place to visit if you are looking to get away from the crowds. This secluded beach is simply magnificent with fine white sand. It’s encircled by a series of interesting rock formations, making it resemble a lake and hiding it from prying eyes. These rock formations are fun to explore and will entertain young children long after they’re too tired to swim.

The beach is of great environmental importance too; this protected area is the habitat of phoenic theofrasti – an endangered species of Cretan palm tree.

Asterousia Mountains

The Asterousia Mountains are a stunning mountain range running parallel to the south coast of Heraklion and are home to some truly stunning landscapes which possess unspoilt natural beauty. In addition to these dramatic mountain landscapes, the area features some of the best secret beaches in all of Crete.

If you’re planning a trip to Crete then these are just our selection of the island’s hidden gems, there are plenty more secrets to be found during your adventure, whether that’s the island’s best taverna or a hidden copse bursting with wildlife. We can offer you the ideal place to stay during your visit and have a fantastic selection of Crete villas and holidays for you to peruse while you plan your holiday.

If you want to bring those turquoise waters a little closer to home during your stay, why not considering booking one of our Crete villas with pools?