Cretan Malia Park

This cheerful, family-friendly resort got a makeover in 2019 and still feels very of the moment — from the striped loungers and rattan armchairs to the botanical murals.

Low-rise rooms are set in lush and lovely gardens. Sustainability is a key driver, with an organic kitchen garden supplying the surprisingly good handful of restaurants.

Catering to the low-cost party crowd, Malia is certainly not the prettiest part of Crete. And the rocky seabed is not ideal for swimming (there are three pools to make up for that). But it’s only 25km to Knossos and the lesser Minoan palace of Malia is just 2km away.