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Are you in need of a relaxing break away but conscious of the price-per destination? Generally speaking, party locations across Europe are noticeably cheaper than their more rural counterparts, with millions of holiday-goers flocking to enjoy a summer of celebrations. We took to the town of Malia with a different intention to the usual demographic, to show you can have the relaxing holiday you deserve, at a fraction of the price.

Malia is a town located in the Heraklion region of Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands. With beautiful beaches and an expanse of archaeological history, Crete is a vibrant Island with delicious cuisine and a lively culture. 

Known as the “party capital of Crete”, Malia is a renowned location for party-goers who want to soak up the sun and dance the night away. But what is often overlooked in this town is the beauty that surrounds the most popular party streets.

We’ve compiled a list of our favourite places to explore, eat, drink and relax, debunking the myth that you can’t enjoy a peaceful stay amongst the festivities:

Beaches:

Known for its beautiful coastline, taking a trip to the beach is a must-do when on the Island of Crete. While Malia’s Main beach is a sea of sun loungers, towels and beach bars, there are plenty of beaches slightly further afield that have the same scenic views without the hustle-and-bustle. 

Here are two of our favourites:

  • Ikaros and Kernos Beach

  • Potamos Beach

If you want to switch it up and fancy a more upbeat beach day, there are an array of beach clubs offering beachside food and drink, sun loungers right by the sea and a friendly atmosphere to enjoy the views.

Here are two of our favourites:

  • Aeleos Beach Club

  • Nissos Beach Club

Restaurants: 

The cuisine in Crete is vibrant and delicious, with beautiful restaurants to be found within a 20 minute walk of Malia’s centre. The restaurants we have collated are hidden gems within the town, offering traditional menus and irresistible views, all with the quiet and cosy atmosphere of a rural restaurant.

  • Thalassa - Looking for a beachfront restaurant to catch the sunset while you dine? Thalassa is the perfect location for that beach dining experience, with seafront seating and matching interiors, this restaurant is not one to miss!

  • Beachcomber Bar Restaurant - For more of a fine-dining experience, Beachcomber offers amazing plates at reasonable rates, with gorgeous interiors and a path straight to the beachfront. Stop for drinks on your way out as Beachcomber turns into a stylish bar into the evening.

  • Anatolia - Another beachfront restaurant with so much charm, Anatolia offers friendly service and high quality food, with indoor and outdoor seating options available. With a restaurant, bar and beachfront cocktails, this is a place you could find yourself staying in all day.

  • Anemi Taverna - Nestled within the town centre and surrounded by the scenic views of the Lasithi mountains, Anemi offers traditional cuisine and a friendly family atmosphere. 

  • Petrino Garden - Take a stroll through Malia’s old town and find yourself at a quaint square of restaurants, offering traditional cuisine and a charming evening atmosphere with live local music echoing under the festoon lights. 

Exploring:

Amidst the beaches, pools, restaurants and bars, Malia and the surrounding areas have so much to offer in the form of day trips and learning about Crete’s rich history. Car, quad and bike hire is super popular in Malia and so it can be very easy to explore further afield, as well as organised trips, boat days and island excursions. 

  • Day boat trip to Santorini - Make the most out of your trip to Greece and see multiple islands with a boat trip to Santorini from Malia! With a guided tour of the island, lunch and a trip across the beautiful Mediterranean sea, you can experience two gorgeous Greek islands in one trip!

  • Visit the Cave of Zeus - Located on the slopes of Mount Ida, The Psychro Cave, also known as the Diktaean Cave is said to be the birthplace of Greek God Zeus. This cave is well worth the trip, venturing deep into the mountain and looking up to see a ceiling of stalactites, witnessing the drop in temperature every step you take, and admiring the stunning views of the mountains when you resurface.  

  • Malia Palace Archaeological Site - Amidst the stunning backdrop of the Greek countryside is the Malia Palace Archaeological site, displaying the remains of a Minoan Civilisation. A beautiful, thought provoking site with exclusive access to the past. 

Bars:

While Malia is known for its array of nightclubs and 24 hour bars, its hidden gem are the smaller, super-stylish bars that attract a charming and relaxed crowd. All walkable from the centre of Malia, these bars feel luxuriously laidback and miles apart from the party bars just down the road.

  • Ikaros Beach Resort - One thing about Malia is there are plenty of hotels that offer access to their bars to everyone, and Ikaros Beach Resort is one of the best. Walk along the beach and find yourself at this beautiful bar and restaurant, with cliffside views over the sea and a luxurious atmosphere.

  • Parthenis By the Sea - Another beachside hotel bar, with outdoor seating, great lighting and a cosy quiet feel. With a great choice of cocktails and snacks, Parthenis is a great bar to bring a pack of cards and enjoy the ocean air.

  • Screw - Just off of the main Malia party street, Screw is a stylish cocktail bar with gorgeous rattan interiors, chilled beach beats and made to order cocktails. 

  • Villa Malia - Nestled amongst restaurants and hotels, Villa Malia is the perfect pit stop on the way back from dinner. An all outdoor bar with interesting cocktails, an ice cream truck and friendly staff, it is the perfect place for a post dinner drink and dessert.

To find our favourites and more, click to view what Budapest has to offer on GetYourGuide.

Can you create a relaxing stay out of party destination? We went to Malia, Crete to find out.

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