Malia Beach

You can’t go to Malia without spending time at one of the beautiful beaches especially as there is 6km lush sand and turquoise water. Wether it is an early sunrise swim after you stagger out of the club at 5am or a hangover cure dip at midday, the beach is as much of a reason to go to Malia as are the clubs (well almost).

The main central beach of Malia is located at the end of the famous beach road; past all of the bars, clubs and shops you find this expanse stretch of clear blue water and fine, golden sand that is bustling with people. This beach houses many snack bars such as Dolphin, Bikini and Pleasure. Why not kick back and listen to the Dj, have a cold beer or a cocktail and soak up the sun on a day bed whilst waiting for your turn on the jetski or Banana boat. Dolphin Water sports among others, has a huge selection of water activities to suit everyone’s needs. They offer Jet skiing, wake boarding, ringos (tubing), parasailing, windsurfing and much more. There is no better hang over cure than some adrenaline surging through your veins and the sea breeze in your face as you are propelled across the ocean. If this doesn’t interest you, why not try the on-beach gym or flag down one of the masseuses and treat yourself to a cheap massage. Some sunbeds have bar service so make sure you get there early to get the best spot.

During the summer months this is the most popular beach, which is why it is always crowded and full of good vibes. Mornings are usually quieter whilst everyone grabs a few hours of sleep lost from the night before. Around midday you will see the beach begin to heave with half naked, bronzed bodies and the tunes from Dj’s start filling the silence as the party begins all over again. The water is shallow and only has small waves so don’t forget to buy an inflatable lilo from one of the shops on your way down and truly relax as you float in the crystal clear ocean.

For those who prefer to laze on the sand in peace, walking west from the main beach heading toward Stalis you can find a less crowded patch of sand to park your bum and work on that tan. You will reach Sun beach first and a further 500m you will find Tropical beach. Whilst away from the action, they too have snack bars, beach volleyball, sunbeds and umbrellas for hire but without the large numbers of tourists. If you want to really escape from the noise and the people then Potamos beach is the patch of the sand for you. It is 3.3km from Malia, has a small canteen and few sun beds but no music and no crowds like the other beaches.

Remember, the Greece sun can be quite harsh so take lots of sunblock and stay hydrated… beer is made from water, right?