Sfakaki Holidays

Sfakaki sits with its feet up on the northern coast of Crete. You'll pick up the laidback feel of the place once you stroll down to its harbour, past brightly coloured buildings and gently bobbing boats. Family recipes are served in little joints and sandy shores are perfect for sunbathing.

There's lots of traditional Greek food to try in Sfakaki, including the freshest fruit and plumpest tomatoes. Try the local speciality of 'dakos' – that's Crete's version of bruschetta. It's a barley rusk soaked in olive oil and piled high with juicy tomato chunks, tangy goats' cheese and fragrant oregano.

During the day, waves roll gently onto Sfakaki Beach, putting swimming and bodyboarding firmly on the menu. If you prefer to stay on dry land, the golden sands are prime sunbathing and sandcastle-building territory. At dusk, set up on a sunlounger and watch the sunset turn the skies shades of peach and crimson.

A 15-minute drive from Sfakaki, Rethymnon's old quarter's chock-full of Venetian and Ottoman architecture, while the modern town's got tempting restaurants and shops. At night, the place comes alive with families out for an evening meal and clubbers looking for an anthem to groove to.