Malia beaches
Malia is a popular holiday resort with beautiful beaches on the north-eastern coast of Crete. The town has almost merged with the neighbouring resort of Stalis, and together with Hersonissos, located 10 km to the west, they form one of the most visited holiday areas on the island.
A short distance inland lies the old town, which adds character and makes Malia a more varied and interesting destination than many typical beach resorts.
Malia’s beautiful beaches
The main beach in Malia is Glozanie Beach, situated right in front of the liveliest part of town. Here you’ll find a mix of families, couples and groups of young travellers enjoying the atmosphere, with music drifting from the beach bars just behind the beach.
If you prefer a quieter day by the beach, head east of Malia. First you’ll come across the unofficial Sun Beach, and a little further on lies the more well-known Potamos Beach. These beaches are less crowded, more relaxed, and offer plenty of space. Close to Potamos, you’ll also find one of Crete’s four Minoan palaces.
All beaches in the area are well equipped, with sunbeds and parasols for hire, as well as showers and toilets. Near Potamos Beach is the modern and stylish hotel Phāea Cretan Malia, which is well suited to both families and couples.
Family-friendly beaches in Malia
Potamos Beach to the east is a lovely, family-friendly sandy beach. The only drawback is that it lies a couple of kilometres from the town centre.
Water sports
The beaches offer a wide range of water sports, including parasailing, banana boats, ringos, water skiing and jet skiing. A popular activity is to rent a small boat or kayak and head out to the small island of Afentis Christos, located just 150 metres off the main beach.
Beach restaurants
There are plenty of restaurants, cafés and bars just behind the beaches in Malia. At Glozanie Beach, several of the bars play music that can also be heard along the shore. One of the most popular is Pleasure Beach Club Restaurant, which even offers service directly on the beach.
Malia resort and old town
Malia consists of two very different areas. About one kilometre inland lies the charming old town, where you’ll find interesting shops and good restaurants tucked away in narrow streets. The town sits at the foot of Mount Selena, known for its excellent walking routes and panoramic views over the north coast.
From the centre of the old town, Dimokratias Street runs all the way down to the coast. Along this road, you’ll find a wide selection of bars, discos and nightclubs, offering some of the best nightlife on Crete. During the summer, internationally known DJs often perform here. The area also has many restaurants aimed at younger visitors, including fast food options such as McDonalds.
Other parts of Malia are more peaceful, but if you prefer a quieter place to stay, the neighbouring resort of Stalis is a great alternative. Stalis is lively during the day, yet much calmer at night.
Malia map
Malia’s old town lies about one kilometre south of the beach. Most of the bars, discos and nightclubs are found along the road leading down to the coast. At the top of the map, you’ll see the small island of Afentis Christos, which you can swim or sail out to. Potamos Beach is located in the top right-hand corner of the map.
