Only 2 nights in Crete near Heraklion

by Erica
(Toronto)

My boyfriend and I (28-30yr olds) are flying into Heraklion the morning of Aug 6th and leaving on Aug 8th.

Since I only have a limited time there where is the best area to stay?

I am looking for nice beach, relaxation, some fun night life, good food, etc...

Agia Pelagia Crete - Near Heraklion

Hi, there is a lovely beach not far from Heraklion on the north coast of Crete called Agia Pelagia.

It is really pretty with beautiful clear waters and bays.

It is a seaside village that has grown to provide many tavernas and a few bars and nightclubs right down by the water. Some of them are pretty funky.

This would be a good place to stay if you only have two days on the island as it is close to the airport (23 km) you could maximise your enjoyment.

Agia Pelagia Beach

Be careful when you book accommodation not to book too far from the beach as the hills get steep really quickly and you don't want the hassle of walking up and down to the beach too far.

From here you can still go out to the cafe bar zone of Heraklion - it is called Koraii and its really a good buzz.

Also from here you can visit other beaches, mountains, Zeus Cave, Fodele Village and Knossos Palace. it just depends what you want to fit into your 2 days visit. You can just enjoy the beautiful beaches at Agia Pelagia, swimming and water activities including diving. There is really good water clarity here.

More info pages:

Beaches of Crete...

Mountains of Crete...

Zeus Cave...

Fodele Village...

Heraklion Town...

The Palace of Knossos...

Tips for visiting the Knossos Archaeological Site...

Staying in this location will make it very possible to visit Knossos. This site is one of the most popular attractions on the island and one of the sites you really must see if you are coming to Crete. In summer it gets really busy and there can be long queues, so we always suggest starting really early, to avoid crowds and the heat, and dedicating at least 2 hours to your visit. History buffs will want longer than that, because it is quite a large site.

Accommodation

If you do decide to stay in Agia Pelagia, there are many accommodation options, below we suggest a luxury option and a cheaper option. Of course, there is everything in between available in the bay.

The Out of the Blue resort is a leafy, green, garden resort set on a spectacular peninsula over looking Agia Pelagia Bay, with a variety of types of accommodation to choose from, many restaurants and bars, its own beach access and luxury spa. This is one of the most beautiful locations for a luxury resort in Crete...

Aquarius Apartments, are charismatic and charming in a village full of modern apartments. Good value and close to the beach.

Kalo Taxidi! Bon Voyage!