Sfakaki Holidays

Sfakaki sits with its feet up on the northern coast of Crete. You'll pick up the laidback feel of the place from the moment you stroll down to its harbour, past the brightly coloured buildings and gently bobbing boats. Here, the locals have got together with Mother Nature to serve up all the ingredients for a relaxing holiday.

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

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