MALIA
Area: Crete
Country: Greece


Location:
On N coast, 4 miles E of Hersonissos, 5 miles W of Sissi. 20 miles E of Heraklion airport.

Telephone code from UK:
30 28970

Position:
On coast with main road running through it; part of sprawling holiday area that has grown to incorporate neighbouring resorts of Stalis and Hersonissos. Some patches of undeveloped scrubland dotted around. Overlooked by impressive Dikti mountain range to the S.

Description:
Split by a busy main road, the original old village of Malia lies inland to the S with the sprawling, highly commercialised resort in the N, towards the beach. Most holidaymakers choose to stay in the resort area, although there are a few traditional pensions in the village. It's a tightly packed, 24-hour party town, with a plethora of bars, restaurants, fast-food outlets and nightclubs. The main "strip" is the best part of a mile long, leading down from the main high street to the seafront. Everything is in English.

Suitability:
Young singles, couples, families _ all fun/sun seekers who want a full-on party town at a value price. In high season appeals mainly to rowdy British youngsters _ anyone over 22 is likely to feel old.

Accommodation:
Across the range from small, simple taverna rooms to studio blocks and most categories of hotel.

Shopping:
Unlimited choice from cheap and cheerful souvenirs to expensive ceramics. Cretan weaving, boutiques, jewellery shops, more than enough minimarkets, food and liquor stores and ice-cream parlours.

Beach:
Long, sandy but uninspiring beach packed with sun umbrellas and loungers, and lined with hotels and bars, many playing loud music. Swimming in the sea is safe but there is a strong undertow during windy weather. Choice of water sports from jet-skiing, water-skiing, paragliding, parascending and pedalloes. No private beaches _ all open to public.

Entertainments:
Daytime: beach, beach, beach. Nightlife: seemingly endless supply of pubs, bars and discos along the "strip".

Eating:
Numerous tavernas, bars and fast-food joints, including McDonalds, as well as a handful of more upmarket restaurants; there's even a couple of curry houses. The old village boasts a number of quaint attractive restaurants serving traditional Greek food.

Public-transport:
Frequent bus services to Heraklion, Aghios Nikolaos and other destinations. Local taxis are plentiful, as are car- and bike-rental establishments.

Local-excursions:
Half day: ancient site of Palace of Malia; horse riding. Full day: Minoan Palace of Knossos; Heraklion Archaeological Museum; Plateau of Lassithi; Aghios Nikolaos; Spinalonga island; Sitia and Vai, a palm beach; water park at Anopolis; boat trips (from Heraklion). One/two days: Samaria Gorge.