Malia Answers

rose1: Where to sightsee in/around malia, crete?
2 ladies going to Malia mid April for 2 weeks, we are staying in self catering and we would like to sightsee as much as possible. Any advice would be really helpful, thanks. We have never been to Crete before.

Timo M: Be aware that 'the season' on Crete does not really start until the beginning of May so your choice of places to eat and drink may be a bit limited! Much of Malia is a bit 'touristy' but there a nice beaches to the east and to the west at Stalis, there is a Macdonald's (if you really must!) and opposite is 'The Brasserie' but I don't think this is open until the beginning of May. There are some nice places to eat in the old town where you will get some real Greek food!

Samaria Gorge does not open until May when there is unlikely to be any rain, if there is rain it will be closed again!

The main museum in Heraklion is being refurbished but they have a new small gallery open which has some of the finest pieces on display, regrettably they have not included the 'Blue Dolphin' fresco!

For travelling any distance you will need to hire a car, although for visiting Knossos and the museums the local bus service is excellent or you can book a coach trip which will give you a guide as well. There is also the Palace at Malia which is also Minoan and you will not have to travel far.

From Malia you can easily travel inland to the Lassithi Plateau ( don't look for the windmills that the guide books talk about as they are no longer there) and Psychro's Cave where Zeus was born, there are also some excellent places to eat where you can get an excellent lunch for little cost, try the monastery at Kera, of Metochi kafenio at Kato Metoxi.

Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Spinalonga Island would make a nice day out from Malia, and at Plaka you will find an excellent fish restaurant.

You can also visit Matala on the south coast which was the 'hippy' colony back in the 70's, the beach is not very big, but a little distance away is Kommos beach which is very nice, you can also visit Phaistos while you are on the way, don't go this way on a Saturday as Mires is chaos!!

Tsoutsouros on the south coast is also nice, and very quiet, and close by you will get a beach all to yourselves.

You could head west to Chania but this is quite a long drive 3 hours or so each way!

It is a good idea to buy a good guide book and a map before you get here, you can get 'The Rough Guide' from say Amazon, then you can plan a bit before you arrive.

Have wonderful time....!!!!

Γεωργία: If youre interested in sightseeing but want to avoid some of the extremely touristy populated areas, you might want to consider Hania.. especially the northwestern tip of Gramvousa with the Balos lagoon. It is one of the most beautiful in all of greece! the Hania prefecture also has a beautiful venetian port, and the ancient ruins at Falassarna.. which also has a beautiful beach. But wherever you decide, you will find beautiful cities and breathtaking sights anywhere in crete!

Sam O: How old do you have to be to drink in Malia crete? Do they ask for ID that much when going to a nightclub?

Just Bein' Me: Hi, According to this article it is 18. I don't live there but I looked it up for you http://campuslife101.honadvblogs.com/2008/08/21/the-drinking-age-debate

Vasiliki-Βασιλικήi: 18.Usually they dont check it but sometimes they do...

Matworker: Can anyone advise on the best clubs and bars in malia, crete?

Hayley 67: So many really- if you go down the Beach road be prepared for all the PRs- saying that we ended up with loads of free drinks because of this.Camelot castle Club for their foam nights ,Corkers, UK ClubCharlies bar by the beach-had a few mad drinking games when we were there.Have a fab time x

mwuk_99: I cant remember the clubs' names... i went to malia 18-30s back in 2001 lol!!But when i were there, i hired a moped and went to the next town, Hersossinos (something like that) and there is more lads stuff for things during the day... go karting/better watersports.... if you're into that, go there for the day and out in Malia by night.It's only about 5 mins on main road by moped/taxi.Av a good one!

dick19532003: I'm too old to recommend clubs but I'm sure others will point you in the right direction.just want to say if you fancy a quieter night out try stalis just up the road its basically one long road with bars restaurant's etc we stayed there and thought it was very nice.

♥ cathy ♥: What things are there to do/see in the day in Malia, Crete?

g3mg3m.: Malia is very well known for its nightlife. However, during the day there are manier things to do.

- Excursions including booze cruises, horse riding, boat rides, water parks, theme parks etc.

- sunbathing, shopping, swimming (pools/sea).

- Plenty of restaurants/cafes to stop off at for lunch. Various different cuisines.

- Quads and mopeds are widely available to hire if you fancy going up into the mountains.

- Plenty of watersports are on offer.

If you have had enough of the hussle and bussle of Malia then the old town is only a 10-15 minutes walk from the main strip of Malia. Its very different, quiet with alot to see and do. Great for a day trip.

Stallis is also local, a great place to spend the day with lots to see and do.

Have a fantastic time.
Source(s):
I have been to Malia - going back in July 09.