Almyrida Holidays

Almyrida is a wonderful little resort on Crete’s northern coast, which combines plenty of authentic Greek charm with a good choice of shops, restaurants and facilities. It has two Blue Flag beaches, with transparent, shallow waters, and plenty of facilities for water sports. Although small, it has plenty of  shops, cafés, restaurants and bars - all you need for an enjoyable and relaxing holiday. Almyrida makes a great base for exploring the tiny hamlets dotted across the hills inland, whether you do it by foot or by car. You shouldn’t miss out on Crete’s beautiful historic capital of Chania, which is just 14 miles away, and has a charming Venetian harbour, plus bags of shops, bars and restaurants.

There are two main beaches in Almyrida, both of which are sandy, pristine and well equipped. The sands shelve gently into crystal clear waters, making them ideal even for the youngest children. You can rent out kayaks, catamarans or paddle boards to explore the beautiful bay, or even paddle out to the tiny islet of Karga, now a refuge for wild birds. There is also some amazing diving near Almyrida, and local diving schools can arrange courses and excursions. One of the best is to the subterranean ‘Elephant Cave’ nearby – discovered only in 2000, this cave is named for the numerous prehistoric elephant bones found here.

There are plenty of atmospheric places to eat and drink in Almyrida, most serving the delicious Cretan cuisine. The island is famous for its abundant fresh produce, wonderful cheeses, and delicious lamb dishes. In the summer, there’s nothing more refreshing than a Greek salad with juicy tomatoes, cucumber and olive, topped with some mizathra cheese. Dakos, the Cretan answer to bruschetta, make a great starter: these are barley rusks topped with finely chopped tomatoes and herbs, a drizzle of olive oil and some local cheese. And for a main course, you could have some fish straight off the grill, or one of the island’s famous lamb dishes.

Almyrida is a tranquil little town, but the cafés and taverns open late into the evening, and are the perfect place to sit back with a drink and enjoy the sea views. In summer, the water front area gets pretty buzzy, and some of the bars and restaurants put on special events such as live traditional music. But this quiet, family-friendly resort is not the place to find any serious nightlife: your best bet if you want a bigger choice of bars and clubs is to head into Chania, the beautiful historic capital of Crete, which has some of the best nightlife on the island. There are regular buses into Chania, and a taxi will take about 30 minutes. 

If you’re looking for a relaxing and authentic resort to enjoy a family holiday in the sun, then Almyrida is an excellent choice. There are two beaches that curve around the pretty bay, and offer fine sand (perfect for making sandcastles) and clean, calm, shallow waters where children can play safely. There are lots of facilities, such as sun loungers and parasols, and the restaurants and taverns are child-friendly. Older kids can rent out kayaks or paddle boards to explore the bay, and some might enjoy sitting on the jetty with a rod and seeing if they can get anything to bite. Chania, the historic island capital, is a beautiful little city with a magnificent harbour which kids will enjoy exploring. Just outside it is a water park, where they can hurtle down the slides and play in the pools.

Almyrida offers lovely beaches, a mountainous backdrop and plenty of traditional Greek charm. It’s an idyllic little spot for a quiet and relaxing romantic holiday. Work on the tan on the blissful beaches or rent out a kayak and go exploring around the bay to find an intimate little cove for a romantic picnic. You can enjoy long, lazy lunches in the sunshine, and watch the sun set over the hills over a drink by the water’s edge in the evenings. There are lots of enjoyable excursions nearby, from exploring the timeless hamlets in the hills to meandering through the ancient streets of beautiful Chania, the historic capital of Crete.

There are lots of things to do in and around Almyrida if you like to stay active. You can rent kayaks, catamarans or paddle boards on the beach, and head out to explore the coastline. Why not paddle out to the islet of Karga, which sits in the middle of the bay, to spot some of the birds that have found a haven here? This area is also popular for diving, with some fantastic wrecks and sea caves – including the phenomenal ‘Elephant Cave’, which contains ancient elephant and deer bones – to explore. There are some wonderful walking routes in the inland hills, many of which link enchanting little hamlets.

Most people overlook Almyrida’s main cultural sight: the ruins of a 6^th-century Byzantine church, which sit at the entrance to the village. Little survives, but you can glimpse some of the fine mosaics. Most of the cultural attractions in this area are concentrated in Chania, which was formerly the capital of Crete. A beautiful city spread around a stunning harbour built under the Venetians, Chania is replete with historic monuments. Stroll out to the elegant lighthouse, built to resemble a minaret by the Turks, or visit one of the excellent museums, such as the Byzantine Museum, which is full of gilded icons.