Malia sits approximately 34 kilometres east of Heraklion Airport on the north coast of Crete — a transfer of around 35–40 minutes. It sits at the eastern end of the long sandy beach strip that runs through Stalida and Hersonissos, and shares the same broad, clean, sandy beach with its neighbours. The beach itself is one of Malia’s strongest assets — long, well-maintained and with calm, clear Cretan water throughout the season.
The honest truth about Malia is that it divides into two very distinct parts. The beach area — the hotel strip along the seafront, the beach clubs and the coastal restaurants — is a perfectly respectable, family-friendly beach resort with good facilities and a relaxed daytime atmosphere. The town centre, particularly the area known as the strip, is a very different proposition: concentrated bars, clubs and entertainment venues that operate late into the night and attract a predominantly younger crowd. These two Malias coexist, but guests booking a holiday here should be clear about which one they are booking into.
For younger guests and groups who want a lively resort with a strong nightlife offer alongside a good beach, Malia is one of the most straightforward answers in Crete. The combination of easy beach access during the day and a well-established entertainment scene at night — at prices that are generally lower than comparable resort nightlife in Spain or Portugal — makes Malia a consistent choice for this specific type of holiday.
For families with young children or couples looking for a relaxed, quiet base, Malia is — in Eleni’s honest view — not the right choice. The noise from the strip carries, particularly in July and August, and the general atmosphere of the town centre is oriented towards a younger demographic. Stalida immediately to the west offers a significantly calmer alternative with the same beach. Hersonissos offers a middle ground — lively but broader in its appeal.
What is less well known about Malia is the Minoan Palace site on the eastern edge of the resort — one of the four great Minoan palace complexes in Crete, dating back to around 2000 BC and considerably less visited than Knossos. For guests with any interest in Minoan history, the Malia palace is an easy and rewarding half-morning excursion directly from the resort, with none of the crowds that Knossos attracts in peak season.
For cheap Crete holidays from the UK, all inclusive holidays in Malia 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.
