Galatas Holidays

Galatas, on a hilltop 3 miles west of enchanting Chania Town, is a charming, low-key resort set amid citrus and olive groves on Crete’s beautiful northern coast. The little town spills down towards the sea, where most of the hotels and taverns are located. It has lovely sandy beaches, plenty of atmospheric places to eat and drink, and you’ve got all the city attractions of Chania Town on the doorstep. Explore Chania’s enchanting historic quarter, stroll around its marvellous harbour and enjoy some of the best shopping and nightlife on the island. Inland, you can visit wineries, explore timeless villages or hike through the island’s famous gorges.

Crete is a fantastic destination for foodies, and Cretans take a great deal of pride in their delicious cuisine. Galatas has a good choice of places to eat and drink, including lots of family-run traditional taverns where you can tuck into tasty local dishes. If you want even more choice, head into Chania Town, which has wide array of fabulous restaurants and cafés, from stylish bistros to elegant seafood restaurants. Local specialities you won’t want to miss include beautifully fresh fish, all kinds of lamb dishes, and refreshing Greek salads topped with mizithra cheese. This fresh, feta-like cheese is just one of many produced on Crete.

Galatas is a friendly, low-key resort which is very popular with families, thanks to its lovely beaches, laid-back charm, and easy access to the attractions of Chania Town. The main beach (Kalamaki Beach), which adjoins several other sandy beaches that curve along the bay, is calm and shallow, making it perfect for families travelling with infants and young children. Older kids and teens will enjoy the variety of water sports on offer, which include kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing. Chania Town, set around a picture-postcard harbour, is perfect for a family stroll, and is the starting point for a number of fun boat trips, including a pirate ship. There’s also a water park located just south of the town, where kids can hurtle happily down the slides or mess about in the pools.

Galatas is a small, low-key resort, but it makes a great base for enjoying all the fantastic activities available in north west Crete. You can enjoy all kinds of water sports on the beach, whether you fancy doing some sea-kayaking or paddle boarding around the bay. This region is well known for its snorkelling and scuba diving, and local suppliers run courses, rent out equipment and organise excursions to the best diving sites. Nearby Chania Town, the second largest city on Crete, offers a host of exciting activities, including hoverboarding and paragliding. Crete is a fantastic hiking destination, and you could also make the trek through the famous Samari Gorge, about an hour and a half’s drive from Galatas.

Kalamaki Beach is the main beach of Galatas, and its fine sand and shallow waters make it particularly good for families. The beach boasts all the facilities you need for an enjoyable sun, sea and sand holiday, including sun beds and parasols for rent, plus plenty of beach bars and cafés for refreshments. Beyond Kalamaki are a string of other beaches that stretch in a virtually unbroken line all the way to Agii Apostoli. There is a great selection of water sports on offer, whether you fancy renting out a kayak or a paddle board or want to try the fantastic snorkelling and diving in the area.

Galatas is a quiet and family-friendly town, but it has lots of cafés and taverns where you linger over a few drinks on balmy nights. The nightlife here is laid-back and chilled-out, so you won’t find much in the way of big bars or clubs. The nearby resort of Platanias, a 10-minute drive to the west, has a wider choice of bars and clubs. Chania Town, just a short taxi-ride away, has a huge choice of nightlife options, whether you fancy catching some jazz, sipping a cocktail on a glamorous roof terrace, or dancing till dawn with your feet in the sand.

An idyllic spot for a relaxed and romantic holiday in the sun, Galatas offers sandy beaches, Greek hospitality, and plenty of laid-back island charm. You can bask on the beaches, try out some of the water sports on offer, while away an afternoon at a waterfront taverna trying some of the delicious local seafood. Or you could head into Chania Town, an enchanting and historic city arranged around a breathtaking Venetian harbour. It’s a beautiful place for a stroll, and its ancient cobbled streets are full of enticing boutiques, cafés and bars. If you’re active types, you’ll find scores of activities in the region, from a huge choice of water sports, to sailing trips and fantastic hikes.

Little Galatas is a great base for enjoying the amazing array of cultural attractions in Chania Town. This beautiful city was the island’s capital until 1971, and is full of remarkable historic buildings, museums and ancient sites. You can explore the narrow streets of Kastelli, the ancient heart of the city, where an ancient Minoan settlement is still being excavated. The centrepiece of enchanting Chania Town its magnificent harbour, built under the Venetians. They also erected the fortress that guards the entrance to the harbour, and is now home to the naval museum, one of many excellent museums in the city. In summer, you can enjoy a host of music, dance and theatre events during Chania Town’s fabulous summer festival of performing arts.