Panormo holidays have the family-friendly formula sussed. It's nice and quiet, and stocked with a toddler-approved beach.
Pocket-sized Panormo
This blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town is stashed away on the north coast of Crete. Lots of holidaymakers in these parts tend to head straight for the likes of better-known Rethymnon or Heraklion. But, in recent years, Panormo’s started to build up a fan base of in-the-know families, who come running for its peachy beaches and laidback outlook on life.
Kid-friendly coastline
Panormo means ‘sheltered harbour’ in English, and this teeny retreat sure lives up to its label. The go-to strip of sandy beach, called Limani, is protected by a pier on either side. Acting as beefed-up bodyguards, these wooden jetties keep the water swimming pool-still, making it ideal for armband wearing little’uns. Soft sands and an onslaught of sunbeds polish things off.
Relaxing evenings
Nightlife also follows the family-friendly theme. After dark, the done thing here is to take a stroll along the seafront, munch on meze at a traditional taverna or sit back with a tot of raki in hand. That said, you can easily hail a cab to Rethymnon, 15 minutes down the road, if you decide you want a more lively night out.