Maleme

Holidays to Maleme give you a glimpse of Crete’s history, with a deserted sandy beach and lots of rambling thrown in too.

A chilled-out spot

You won’t need noise control in Maleme – the resort is one of the quietest places on Crete’s northwest coast. The place really does like things low-key. It’s pretty much one main street with a clutch of friendly tavernas and bars. The beach is another matter, though – here you’ve got a boastworthy 3-kilometre stretch to play with.

Two-sided beach

The beach actually runs all the way to Chania, taking in a few resorts on the way. The closest patch to town is a bit of a 2-parter. You’ve got a sandy side that comes with sunloungers and watersports – diving, windsurfing and jet-skiing are all on offer here. Then there’s the more chilled-out side – a shingle and pebble number that swaps beachfront bars for shady trees.

An historical resort

Off the beach, Maleme has a fair bit of history behind it. West of the resort you’ve got an old World War ll airfield – the area was famously the first to be invaded by air. And back in the village, there’s the church of Agios Antonios, which comes with the oldest chapel in Crete

Day trips to Chania

Twenty minutes on the bus gets you to Chania. Now this is a real day-to-night kind of city. It’s got an old town with a maze of Venetian-style alleyway to explore, and a fortress and lighthouse at either end of the headland. The bustling harbour is the real hub, though. It’s where the seafood restaurants hang out with the classy clubs