Almyrida Holidays

This Cretan fishing village stretches along the coast for nearly two kilometres, meaning it’s small enough to retain its character but big enough that you’ll find nice places to eat and drink. Most of these are on the main street, which runs parallel to the beach. The shops are on one side of the road, leaving space for the cafés and restaurants to take up the waterfront spots.

You've got a choice of three beaches in Almyrida, all of which are Blue Flag winners. The two bigger stretches are the most popular, with golden sands that shelve gently into the bluest waters. There are loungers and umbrellas to rent, and tavernas back onto the beaches. And the third is a pebbly beach that's primed and ready for snorkelling.

You can hop on a local bus to Chania, which is 24 kilometres away. This one-time capital is still a much-loved city, thanks to its mix of Turkish and Venetian architecture. The old harbour is picture-perfect and dishes up coastal views and lots of history. If you wander the backstreets around here, you’ll stumble across the best shops and restaurants. It’s also worth walking out to the lighthouse.