The Malevizi area sits on the north-west coast of Crete immediately west of Heraklion Airport (HER) — making it one of the most conveniently located areas on the island for arriving guests. The stretch of coastline between Heraklion and the resort area of Agia Pelagia encompasses a series of small bays, sandy beaches and coastal villages that offer a more locally flavoured Crete experience than the busier resort strips to the east of the airport.
The beaches in this area are varied in character — some sandy and well-equipped, others smaller and more secluded. The water on this stretch of the north-west coast is clear and typically calm, sheltered by the bay configuration that runs from Heraklion westward. For guests who want a beach holiday with genuine proximity to Heraklion city and Knossos, the Malevizi coastline offers some of the closest and most convenient options on the island.
The Minoan Palace of Knossos — Europe’s oldest palace complex and one of the most important archaeological sites in the Mediterranean — is accessible within 20–30 minutes from any hotel in the Malevizi area. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum, housing the world’s finest collection of Minoan artefacts, is similarly close. For guests with any interest in Cretan history, the Malevizi area offers the most convenient access to these sites of any coastal resort area on the island.
The area is more locally oriented than the large resort strips of Hersonissos or Stalida to the east — a smaller number of hotels, a more authentic local taverna scene and a pace of life that reflects the western Heraklion area rather than the concentrated package holiday infrastructure of the north coast resort strip. For guests who want good beaches, excellent historical access and a more genuinely Cretan atmosphere, the Malevizi coastline is a rewarding choice.
One honest note: the hotel choice in the Malevizi area is more limited than in the larger resort areas to the east. Guests who want maximum all inclusive hotel variety or a wide choice of evening entertainment within walking distance will find Hersonissos more suitable. Malevizi is for guests who value convenience, proximity to Heraklion and a more locally flavoured Crete experience over resort scale and variety.
For all inclusive holidays in the Heraklion area, cheap Crete holidays from the UK or Crete package holidays — book through GotoBeach with full ATOL protection under licence #11211, low deposits from £30 per person and the honest advice of someone who was born on this island.
